Social Enterprise Kent Calls on Kent’s VCSE Organisations to Make Their Voices Heard
In this month’s newsletter, we’re highlighting key opportunities for VCSE organisations to influence change. As frontline organisations, you see first-hand the challenges communities face and play a crucial role in delivering solutions. That’s why your insights are essential in shaping policies, funding, and support for the sector.
We’re pleased to share a number of open surveys where you can add your valuable input. These surveys give you the chance to share your expertise, highlight the realities on the ground, and ensure decision-makers truly understand the needs of the communities we serve.
Your voice can make a real difference—let’s make sure it’s heard. Read on to find out how you can take part.
State of Social Enterprise Survey
Social Enterprise Kent (SEK) is proud to support Social Enterprise UK (SEUK) in their call to action for social enterprises across the country. The State of Social Enterprise survey is now live, and we need your help to make sure Kent’s thriving social enterprise sector is represented.
Every two years, this survey provides the most influential research on the state of social enterprise in the UK, shaping policy, funding opportunities, and investment decisions. It’s a chance to showcase the incredible impact our sector has on society, the economy, and local communities.
Why Take Part?
✔️ Raise Awareness – Ensure social enterprises are recognised as key drivers of social and economic impact.
✔️ Influence Policy – Help shape decisions that affect funding, support, and legislation for the sector.
✔️ Strengthen the Movement – The more responses from organisations like yours, the stronger the case for greater support and recognition.
Get Involved Today
Register Your Interest HERE
Together, let’s show the power of Kent’s social enterprises and make sure our sector gets the support and recognition it deserves.
Thinking of Using AI in Your TNLCF Funding Applications?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way organisations approach funding applications, but how can you use it effectively and ethically? The National Lottery Community Fund has released new guidance on their position about using AI tools in your funding applications, helping you understand best practices, risks, and opportunities. Read more HERE
Shaping the Future of Work & Health in Kent and Medway
As part of developing the new Kent and Medway Integrated Work and Health Strategy, a public consultation has opened. Please take a moment to share your views on their strategy for helping more people into work.
Closes on Thursday, 20 March 2025, HAVE YOUR SAY
Helping Kent Households Stay Warm and Save on Energy Bills!
Social Enterprise Kent is expanding its Energy Support Project to offer even more practical help to households looking to reduce energy and water consumption while staying warm and comfortable.
We now provide free home visits where our friendly team offers:
✔️ Personalised energy-saving advice – Simple, effective tips to cut energy and water use.
✔️ Help with bills – Support to understand and reduce energy costs.
✔️ Grants & benefits advice – Guidance on available financial support.
✔️ Referrals to expert energy organisations – Connecting you to further help if needed.
✔️ A free warmer home kit – Including radiator foils, blankets, draught excluder tape, and more!
If you or someone you know could benefit, complete our referral form and return it to us.
📩 FORM
Please complete the referral form, which needs to be returned to prevention.projects@sekgroup.org.uk.
Up and coming open Training Courses
Moving and Assisting with a Hoist (Introduction) 28/03/25 | Margate
Personal Impact and Assertiveness Skills 20/03/25 | Online
Emergency First Aid at Work 8/04/25 | Margate & 05/06/25 | Dartford
Safeguarding Level 3 03/04/25 | Online
Free New HR Rules 02/04/25 | Online
Nature Recovery in Kent and Medway
Kent County Council would like your help to shape the Kent and Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy. The aim is to create a network of wildlife-rich places and end the decline of nature supporting its recovery.
Find out more and share your views HERE Consultation closes 12th March 2025.
Innovative Sustainability: The Story of CopenHill
While this project isn’t in Kent or Medway, its innovation is too inspiring not to share! CopenHill, located in Copenhagen, Denmark, is a remarkable example of how sustainability and urban design can come together to create something truly extraordinary.
At its core, CopenHill is a state-of-the-art waste-to-energy plant, known as ARC, that transforms waste into clean energy. By using cutting-edge technology, the plant burns waste and converts exhaust into energy, providing electricity to 30,000 households and central heating to 72,000 homes in Copenhagen each year.
But what makes CopenHill truly unique is what sits on top of the facility a 450 metre long ski slope, a hiking trail, and the world’s tallest climbing wall! This urban mountain has turned industrial infrastructure into a vibrant recreational community hub where visitors can ski, snowboard, hike, and climb, all in the middle of the city. Complete with a café, après-ski bar, and stunning views, it seamlessly blends sustainability with social and leisure spaces.
CopenHill is an illuminating example of how we can repurpose essential infrastructure to serve both environmental and community needs. Could something like this be possible in Kent? It certainly sparks some big ideas about how we can reimagine our own green spaces, waste management, and community engagement. Learn More
School Events
The Big STEM Challenge
Get ready for the Big STEM Challenge – STEM week is around the corner [7th – 16th March]
STEM Week is fast approaching, and there’s no better time to inspire young minds! The Big STEM Challenge is now open for entries, offering students aged 4-18 the chance to explore, experiment, and innovate – with fantastic prizes up for grabs.
If you work with children, this is your chance to get involved. Download our free poster or visit the web page to find out more and share with your school or organisation and encourage students to take part. Close date: 31st August
The Green STEM showcase
Schools and clubs are invited to book FREE spaces for this exciting Green STEM event, designed to inspire young minds and celebrate sustainability and innovation in science, technology, engineering, and maths. Students will take part in interactive workshops and hands-on activities exploring real-world environmental solutions with leading exhibitors, including South Eastern Railway, The Environment Agency, and Countrystyle Recycling. Whether attending in the morning or afternoon, they’ll gain valuable insights into how STEM can shape a greener future.
Spaces are limited learn more and book now!
Funding opportunities for VCSE organisations
Dover District Council Community Cohesion and Resilience Fund
The Community Cohesion & Resilience Fund will support local Charities, CICs and constituted Community Groups to deliver projects that build community relationships and work to prevent and counter harmful narratives: Closes 26th February More Info
Masonic Charitable Foundation
The MCF is dedicated to supporting disadvantaged children and young people, as well as vulnerable older people, in England and Wales. Our Charity Grants programme is open to registered charities in England and Wales working with any of our four main priority groups More Info
The Walker Construction Trust
The Walker Construction Trust funds individuals, not-for-profit organisations and registered charities with causes close to the hearts of our employees and the communities our businesses operate in More Info
Growing Kent and Medway – Growing green
A sustainability training programme for horticultural and plant-based food and drink businesses in Kent and Medway. Apply for a Growing Green grant of up to £7,000. Learn more
What’s on
Gravesham Network Development CIC
On Friday 7th March 2025, the Woodville Theatre in Gravesend will host A Night With The Stars. Tickets£15, Concessions £12
This event raises vital funds for Gravesham Network Development CIC (aka the Grand) delivers the Gifted Young Gravesham (GYG) youth service designed to support young people’s mental health and wellbeing. More Info
The Kent and Medway Recovery and Wellbeing College
An initiative providing health-related educational courses for adults living in Kent and Medway, free of charge, in supportive and accessible learning spaces. Find out more HERE
Making Connections Dover – Stronger Kent Communities
Following the successful Making Connections events in Canterbury, Dover, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells, working with Kent Coast Volunteering again to offer a Making Connections Dover meeting on Thursday, 27 February at St Radigund’s Community Centre, Poulton Close, Dover CT17 0HL. Whether you’re working in the Dover district, neighbouring areas or across Kent, you’re very welcome to join Book Here
Cyber Security – Stronger Kent Communities
The webinar will explain why Cyber Essentials is important, what its benefits are and how it can be implemented, focusing on your team and organisation rather than the technology. Speakers will include a cyber security consultant who has helped small organisations implement Cyber Essentials successfully, and a representative of an organisation which has achieved it, to describe their thinking and experience. 26th February Book Now
VCSE Sector roles across Kent
Social Enterprise Kent
Social Enterprise Kent is looking for a Shop Manager and Deputy to lead SE Kitchen, our NEW social supermarket in Ashford. SE Kitchen provides affordable, healthy food while supporting people with money management, skills training, and personal development. This is a leadership role, responsible for managing the day-to-day operations while ensuring the shop runs smoothly and continues to meet the needs of the community.
SE Kitchen – Ashford
Shop Manager position Close Date 28th February
Deputy Shop Manager position Close Date 28th February
SE Kitchen – Ramsgate Has an opening for a Shop Manager and Deputy to lead SE Kitchen, our existing social supermarket in Ramsgate. SE Kitchen provides affordable, healthy food while supporting people with money management, skills training, and personal development. This is a leadership role, responsible for managing the day-to-day operations while ensuring the shop runs smoothly and continues to meet the needs of the community.
Shop Manager position Close date 28th February
Please email your CV, Cover letter and the Equality & Diversity monitoring form to Natahsa
Charities Aid Foundation
We have an opportunity for a client-focused and supportive Customer Service Representative to join us at our international Head Office, based in Kings Hill.
Customer Service Representative Close date 6th March
MAF Flying for Life
This exciting new role will be instrumental in supporting the provision and development of effective, efficient and optimized utilisation of data across the organisation, primarily using PowerBI.
Data Analyst Close date 9th March
CXK
The Apprenticeships Adviser will travel across Kent and Medway to a broad range of school and college settings, delivering informative and engaging assemblies and workshops for students and parents. Sharing your knowledge of apprenticeships and technical education pathways, you will inspire and empower people to consider such options.
Apprenticeship Advisor Close Date 24th February
Wisdom Hospice Shops
Working closely with the Head of Income Development, you will help identify new business opportunities and support your team with stock procurement, volunteer recruitment and retention, visual merchandising, and staff development. Your leadership will ensure our shops thrive, generating essential funds to sustain hospice care for those who need it most.
Retail Operations Manager Close Date 12th March
Carm
(part-time) An exciting opportunity exists for a strong all-rounder to manage a small charity, Caring Altogether on Romney Marsh (CARM) based in New Romney which provides volunteer delivered services to older, lonely and isolated people living across the Romney Marsh and Tenterden areas.
Charity Manager Close date 13th March