July VCSE Newsletter
Welcome to the July edition of the Social Enterprise Kent VCSE Newsletter, bringing together the latest funding, training, events and opportunities from across Kent and Medway.
Whether you’re looking to secure funding, develop new skills, connect with others across the sector or discover fresh ideas to support your community, this month’s newsletter is packed with practical opportunities, useful resources and inspiring stories to help you make a positive difference in your community.
If you have news, funding opportunities, events or achievements you’d like featured in our August newsletter, we’d love to hear from you. Please email marketing@sekgroup.org.uk.
A new approach to partnership with civil society
The Government is taking further steps to put the Civil Society Covenant into practice, with charities, social enterprises and community organisations recognised as important partners in tackling the country’s most complex challenges.
The Covenant sets out principles for stronger, more transparent relationships between civil society, government and public bodies. It encourages organisations to be involved earlier in decision-making and service design, not simply brought in at the delivery stage.
New resources have now been published to help local organisations and public bodies use the Covenant to strengthen partnerships, involve communities and start conversations about how they work together.
For VCSE organisations, this provides a useful framework for engaging with councils, commissioners and other public-sector partners, while making the case for the knowledge, local relationships and lived experience the sector brings.
Help Shape the Future of Kent4Community
If you use Kent4Community to search for funding, recruit volunteers or promote your organisation, now is your chance to help shape its future.
Kent4Community is asking organisations to complete a short survey to help improve the platform and strengthen future services for charities, voluntary organisations and community groups.
The survey closes on 31 July 2026.
New Report Highlights the Future of Grant Funding
UKGrantmaking has published its latest report analysing grants awarded during 2024–25, providing valuable insight into funding trends across the UK.
Alongside the report, the Association of Charitable Foundations has shared its reflections on what the findings mean for funders and the VCSE sector.
New NCVO Briefing Reveals Pressures Facing the Charity Sector
Charities across the UK continue to face increasing demand, financial pressures, misinformation, online hostility and rapid technological change.
NCVO’s latest Spring Briefing explores how organisations are adapting and highlights the support needed to build a resilient sector for the future.
Seaside CEO Returns to Ramsgate
Following a successful launch, Seaside CEO returns with another evening of practical business advice, inspiring speakers and valuable networking.
This month’s event focuses on one of the biggest challenges facing growing businesses: selling more effectively.
Thursday 30 July 2026
5pm–7pm
Royal Temple Yacht Club, Ramsgate
Thanet Voluntary and Community Sector Forum
Strengthen local partnerships and help shape collaboration between Thanet District Council and voluntary and community organisations.
The next funded Thanet Voluntary and Community Sector Forum will provide an opportunity to connect, share updates and discuss priorities affecting local communities.
Thursday 24 September 2026
10am–12pm
Newington Library, Ramsgate, CT12 6FA
Experience Nature Through the Senses
Kent Association for the Blind is inviting people of all ages and abilities to take part in its accessible Sensory Nature Walks.
These enjoyable fundraising events combine gentle walking with interactive sensory activities, making them suitable for families, friends and community groups.
Upcoming walks include:
- Saturday 18 July 2026 – High Elms Country Park, Farnborough
- Saturday 22 August 2026 – Betteshanger Park, Deal
Participants receive a welcome pack and T-shirt, with tickets starting from just £4. Under 5s and sighted guides can attend for free.
> SIGN UP TO A SENSORY NATURE WALK
Tee Off for a Great Cause
Golfers of every ability are invited to support Kent Association for the Blind’s annual Golf Day at Bearsted Golf Club.
Enjoy an 18-hole course, Beat the Pro challenge, two-course lunch, raffle and auction while raising money to support blind and partially sighted people across Kent.
Thursday 17 September 2026
Bearsted Golf Club, Ware Street, Bearsted, Maidstone, ME14 4PQ
Cost: £65 per person
Have Your Say on Kent County Council’s Budget
Your views can help shape future local services.
Kent County Council is inviting residents, organisations and community groups to share their priorities as it develops its 2027–28 Budget.
The consultation asks for views on:
- Priorities for making savings across service areas
- How the council could save money and increase income
- Council Tax options
The consultation closes on 7 September 2026.
Save the Date: Social Value in Action Conference 2026
Social Enterprise Kent’s annual Social Value in Action Conference returns on Thursday 5 November 2026, bringing together charities, social enterprises, businesses and public sector organisations to explore how collaboration can create lasting social value for our communities.
The conference will feature keynote speakers, practical case studies, networking opportunities and discussions around the latest developments in social value, partnership working and community impact.
Whether you’re looking to share ideas, build new partnerships or gain fresh insights, this year’s conference promises to be an inspiring day of learning and collaboration.
Thursday 5 November 2026
10am–3pm
Aylesham Community Trust
Ackholt Road, Aylesham, CT3 3AJ
Further details, including the full programme and booking information, will be available soon.
Fully Funded AI Training for Kent Businesses
Want to use AI more confidently in your organisation? Applications are now open for a limited number of fully funded places on the Kent AI Skills
Accelerator (KASA), giving Kent businesses the opportunity to complete a City & Guilds
Assured AI course at no cost.
Choose from:
● AI Prompt Engineering
● AI Governance & Ethics
Each course is worth £999 and has been fully funded through Kent County Council’s Helping
Hands programme.
Whether you’re just getting started with AI or want to introduce it more confidently and
responsibly into your organisation, these practical online courses will give you the knowledge
and tools to do just that.
Places are limited. Find out more and apply here using the code SEKNEWS:
> FIND OUT MORE AND SECURE YOUR FREE PLACE
Community Engagement Training
Learn practical techniques to engage communities more effectively and build stronger relationships.
Whether you’re working in a charity, social enterprise, local authority, NHS organisation or business, effective community engagement helps create better services, stronger partnerships and more meaningful outcomes for the people and communities you support.
Our one-day Community Engagement course provides practical tools and techniques to help participants plan effective engagement activities, remove barriers to participation, gather valuable community insight and co-produce solutions with confidence. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.
Monday 28 September 2026
Online
Course fee: £117
VCSE organisations receive a 5% discount.
> FIND OUT MORE AND BOOK YOUR PLACE
Emergency First Aid at Work
Gain the confidence to respond quickly and safely in an emergency.
Our accredited Emergency First Aid at Work course provides the practical knowledge and skills needed to deal with a range of workplace emergencies until professional help arrives.
Suitable for staff across all sectors, including charities, community organisations and businesses.
Tuesday 22 September 2026
Canterbury
Course fee: £142
VCSE organisations receive a 5% discount.
Safeguarding Level 4
Develop the knowledge and confidence to lead safeguarding best practice within your organisation.
Designed for managers and professionals with safeguarding responsibilities, our Safeguarding Level 4 course provides advanced knowledge to strengthen safeguarding practice, improve decision-making and promote best practice across organisations.
9–10 November 2026
Online
Course fee: £299
VCSE organisations receive a 5% discount.
> FIND OUT MORE AND BOOK YOUR PLACE
First Aid for Mental Health Level 1
Help create a healthier, more supportive workplace by recognising when someone may need help.
Our accredited First Aid for Mental Health Level 1 course introduces learners to the fundamentals of mental health awareness in the workplace and beyond. During this four-hour course, participants will gain an understanding of common mental health conditions, recognise when someone may need support and learn how to respond appropriately.
Suitable for staff, volunteers, managers and anyone wishing to improve their mental health awareness, the course also provides practical guidance on having supportive conversations and signposting people to appropriate sources of help.
Course fee: £131
VCSE organisations receive a 5% discount.
> FIND OUT MORE AND BOOK YOUR PLACE
Start Your Career in Health and Social Care
Are you or someone you support looking for a rewarding new career?
You will receive:
- A Level 1 Health and Care qualification
- One-to-one employment coaching
- Access to live job vacancies
- Ongoing in-work support
- A £20 voucher on successful completion
Roles range from administration and housekeeping through to portering and care work, demonstrating that there really is something for everyone.
To register your interest, email support@sekgroup.org.uk or call 01843 210005.
Social Enterprise Kent has secured another year of funding to deliver the Widening Access Demonstrators Programme in Thanet, helping local people take their first steps into careers across health and social care.
Young Cooks Winners Experience Professional Kitchen Success
This year’s Young Cooks Showcase Lunch celebrated the incredible talent of young chefs from across Kent and Medway.
Overall 16+ winner Virtue, from Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham, spent the day working alongside the team at the award-winning The Dog at Wingham, helping prepare and serve a three-course lunch inspired by her winning dishes. Hear what Virtue had to say about the experience https://youtube.com/shorts/MAoy_x3TgxM?si=bbMU8NTN4Z4GI8qe
Primary winner Alfie and secondary winner Emily also enjoyed an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at the restaurant and hotel.
Supported by sponsors and industry sponsors, the Young Cooks programme continues to inspire the next generation of culinary talent by building confidence, developing practical skills and opening doors to future careers in hospitality.
> DISCOVER MORE ABOUT SEK SCHOOLS PROGRAMMES
Want to save on your Energy Bills?
Help is available.
Support includes:
- One-to-one energy advice
- Help reducing household energy costs
- Access to grants and support schemes
- Guidance on smart meters and comparison sites
- Face-to-face and telephone support
If rising energy costs are affecting you or someone you support, our advisers are here to help.
> FIND OUT HOW TO ACCESS FREE ENERGY SUPPORT
Through Positively Connected Kent, Social Enterprise Kent is providing free advice and practical support to residents across Canterbury, Ashford, Dover, Folkestone and Hythe, and Thanet.
Discover Walking Disc Golf This Summer
Looking for a fun way to stay active, meet new people and enjoy the outdoors?
Walking Disc Golf continues throughout July and August, offering adults of all abilities the chance to try one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.
No experience is necessary. Simply bring comfortable clothing, refreshments and a willingness to try something new.
Free sessions take place every Thursday from 6.30pm–8.30pm.
July: Broadstairs Memorial Recreation Ground, CT10 1HZ
August: Jackey Bakers Field, CT12 6QX
Heritage Funding Now Open
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has announced a range of current funding opportunities for projects that connect communities with local heritage.
Funding can support:
- Historic buildings
- Local history
- Community archives
- Skills development
- Nature and landscapes
- Volunteer projects
Funding is available for organisations of all sizes.
> EXPLORE HERITAGE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Registration for The Fore’s Autumn Funding Round Opens 8 July
Small charities and social enterprises have a limited opportunity to register for unrestricted funding through The Fore.
The Fore supports small charities and social enterprises with a turnover under £500,000 that are making a big impact and want to grow, strengthen or become more resilient.
Registration for the Autumn 2026 round opens at midday on 8 July and closes at midday on 15 July 2026.
> REGISTER FOR THE FUNDING ROUND
Men’s Health Community Fund
A significant new funding programme is supporting community-led projects that improve men’s health and reduce inequalities.
The Men’s Health Community Fund aims to support organisations already doing meaningful work with men and communities least likely to engage with traditional health services.
Funding streams include support for:
- Men aged 35–59 who are unemployed, economically inactive or facing economic hardship
- Older men aged 60+ experiencing key life transitions
- Young men aged 16–35, with a focus on mental health, wellbeing and social connection
- Future programmes supporting men working in industry
DHSC and Movember are currently accepting Expressions of Interest, with a deadline of 5pm on 15 July 2026.
The Sports Trust Programme Development Manager
Location: Folkestone
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time
Salary: £38,000–£45,000 per year
–
Join Esmée Fairbairn Foundation’s Board
The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is looking to recruit two new Trustees. They are especially keen to hear from people with experience of local and national government, working directly with communities, and the environment and climate.
Closing date: 20 July 2026
Stay Connected
Thank you for reading this month’s VCSE Newsletter.
We’ll continue to bring you the latest funding opportunities, sector news, events, training, volunteering opportunities and inspiring stories from across Kent and Medway’s VCSE sector.
If you have news, events, funding opportunities or achievements to share, we’d love to feature them in a future edition of the VCSE Newsletter.
Every day, we shape a better tomorrow.