Community centres celebrate share of £30k grants

We’ve allocated a total of £30,000 to 14 community centres in areas where need was determined to be greatest. 

Southern Water’s Community Partnerships & Programmes Manager Alex Willumsen said: “Community centres play a vital role in local life, offering both practical and emotional support to people. We’re really pleased to lessen the pressures they face through our grants programme, now in its fourth year. This year we’ve specifically targeted five locations where we feel our support can make the biggest difference and are helping 14 hubs to keep their buildings warm and welcoming for local people.” 

One of the centres to benefit from a grant is Kent’s Rainbow Centre, in Sandgate Road, Folkestone, which helps people in crisis with emergency food, housing advocacy, money advice and family support.  

Office manager Theresa Fowler said: “Rainbow Centre always provide a warm welcome to our clients, but this grant will support us to provide a physically warm welcome to them, as well as providing hot showers, breakfast and refreshments, and washing/drying facilities, the cost of which is much higher over the winter months.” 

The other centres that have been awarded £2,000 grants are: 

• Felpham Community Hall, West Sussex 

• Chatham Maritime Trust 

• Sun Pier House CIC, Chatham 

• All Saints Community Project, Chatham 

• The Net Community Hub, Chatham 

• Community Wise, Eastbourne

• The Trees Community Association, Eastbourne 

• Folkestone Nepalese Community 

• Age UK South Kent Coast, Folkestone 

• Sunflower House, Folkestone 

• City Life Church, Southampton