Social Enterprise Kent Opens Second Social Supermarket in Ashford
In a significant milestone for the community, Social Enterprise Kent (SEK) recently celebrated the opening of its second social supermarket SE Kitchen located in the heart of Ashford Town Centre at 22 Bank Street. The grand opening, which took place earlier this year, marks another step forward in SEK’s mission to make healthy, affordable food accessible to everyone.
Backed by generous support from Sodexo and the Stop Hunger Foundation, SE Kitchen is designed to support individuals and families in Ashford to access nutritious food. With the cost of living continuing to challenge many households, SE Kitchen offers a paid alternative to affordable groceries to those who need it most, without intrusive eligibility checks or complicated paperwork. The popular £1 fruit and vegetable bag remains a highlight, offering fresh, seasonal produce to all.
But SE Kitchen is much more than a supermarket. In addition to food, it offers holistic support services that tackle the broader issues surrounding food insecurity. Customers can access expert advice and assistance with budgeting, digital skills, employment support, including job searches and CV writing, as well as benefits checks, helping people build financial stability and regain independence.
As Rebecca Smith, CEO of Social Enterprise Kent, puts it:
“Our mission at SE Kitchen is simple: to make nutritious food available to everyone, especially during life’s toughest moments. We want every person who walks through our doors to feel supported, empowered, and treated with dignity.”
Environmental sustainability is also at the heart of SE Kitchen’s operations. By redistributing surplus and near sell-by-date stock that would otherwise go to waste, the supermarket plays a vital role in reducing food waste and supporting a more circular economy.
Like all of SEK’s social enterprises, SE Kitchen reinvests its profits back into the community, strengthening its positive social impact. The Ashford opening reflects SEK’s ongoing commitment to creating healthier, more resilient, and more inclusive communities across Kent.
Sport England Investment into Place Partnerships in Kent
Sport England is investing £250 million to tackle activity inequalities in 53 places across England. Thanet and Gravesham in Kent are included in the first phase, focusing on Northfleet North and Westcourt in Gravesham.
Liz Davidson, Active Partnership Director, Active Kent & Medway, said, “We are delighted to have two places included in the first phase of Sport England’s Place Partnerships programme. We look forward to developing a place-based systems approach to physical activity that reflects the unique priorities and needs of these two areas.”
Sport England research shows active lifestyles save £10.5 billion annually for the health and social care system.
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Sport England’s Executive Director for Place, added, “We are proud to announce our partnerships with 53 new places. We will work with local partners to break down barriers to physical activity so that everyone has equal access to a more active life.”
For more information, contact Liz Davidson-Kennett at liz.davidson@kent.gov.uk.
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 can help with Personalised energy-saving advice Help with bills ,Grants & benefits advice, Referrals to expert energy organisations 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.
Please complete the referral form, which needs to be returned to prevention.projects@sekgroup.org.uk.
Adult Social Care Drop Ins
💬 Need advice or information from adult social care?
Come by and see the team at Social Enterprise Kent, 63-65 High Street, Margate
📅 Every other Friday | 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Upcoming Date: 20th June 2025
📞 Can’t make it? Call us at 03000 416161 (Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM) or visit www.kent.gov.uk for a self-assessment.
Please share with anyone who may benefit!
New Tea Break Training from SEK Training
Got a spare 30-60 minutes? That’s all you need for TeaBreak Training, the new bitesize learning from SEK Training!
Covering topics like safeguarding, mental health, and equality, these short online sessions are perfect for busy VCSE staff and volunteers who want to refresh skills or learn something new — all over a cuppa.
SEK Training continues to offer affordable, flexible courses to support charities, community groups, and social enterprises to grow and thrive.
👉 Find out more and book your session
Course Calendar – Social Enterprise Kent CIC
AI Isn’t Coming – It’s Here. Are You Ready?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s a powerful tool transforming organisations of all shapes and sizes. From automating routine tasks to enhancing decision-making and unlocking new opportunities, AI is already reshaping industries. Whether you’re in healthcare, finance, education, or the charity sector, AI
But with great power comes responsibility. While AI offers immense potential, it also brings challenges, bias in algorithms, data privacy concerns, and ethical considerations. Understanding how to implement AI effectively and responsibly is key to ensuring it benefits your organisation and society as a whole.
That’s where we come in. Social Enterprise Kent is offering the UK’s first City & Guilds accredited AI courses, You don’t need to be a tech expert to benefit from these courses. our training is designed to be accessible for all skill levels, making AI easy to understand and apply.
The courses are designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to harness AI safely and effectively. Whether you want to master Prompt Engineering, the art of communicating with AI for optimal results, or explore and understand AI Governance to ensure ethical and compliant AI use, our self-paced online courses provide you with industry-recognised certification to set you apart in this fast-moving field.
What’s in it for you?
✅ City & Guilds Certification: Gain a globally recognised credential that enhances your career and credibility.
✅ Flexible & Remote Learning: Study at your own pace with interactive, practical modules.
✅ Cutting-Edge Knowledge: Be among the first to learn from a pioneering curriculum covering AI applications, ethics, and governance.
Now is the time to upskill and future-proof your career or organisation. Don’t get left behind, embrace AI and see what it can do for you!
Learn more and enrol now: 👉 Prompt Engineering Course: Learn More👉 AI Governance Course: Learn More
Walk the Coast, Protect the Future
Did you know the King Charles III England Coast Path will be the longest managed coastal walking route in the world when completed? Stretching around the entire English coastline, this incredible National Trail is not just a scenic adventure—it’s also a celebration of sustainable travel, conservation, and access to nature for all. Whether you’re walking for wellbeing, wildlife, or wonder, the trail invites us to reconnect with the coast while respecting the natural environment we pass through.
Learn more and plan your walk: England Coast Path
Pushing Boundaries with Inspiring Projects in 2025
The Big STEM Challenge
Young minds tackle real-world challenges through science, technology, engineering, and maths. From science fairs to a Dragons’ Den-style showcase, students present their innovative solutions, with prizes and inspiring experiences to support their futures.
🌿 The Green STEM Showcase
Focusing on sustainability, this showcase empowers students to explore eco-friendly technology, renewable energy and waste reduction, preparing young people to be the green leaders of tomorrow.
🏆 Introducing the Kent Education Awards – A New Name for a Bigger Celebration!
After 25 incredible years of celebrating excellence in teaching, we’re excited to announce a fresh new name for 2025:
Kent Teacher of the Year Awards is now the Kent Education Awards!
Why the change? Because outstanding education is a team effort. From inspirational teachers and dedicated TAs to pastoral champions, lunchtime legends, leadership teams, volunteers, and support staff, we believe everyone who helps shape young lives deserves recognition.
This new name reflects the reality of what happens in schools every day: countless individuals working together to help children thrive.
✨ Same celebration. Bigger spotlight. Even more inspiring stories.
✏️ The Big Writing Challenge
Celebrating creativity, this competition invites students to write stories, poems, and essays. The best entries are published, showcasing the incredible writing talent within Kent and Medway.
🍳 Young Cooks Competition
Inspiring budding chefs, this competition helps children develop healthy cooking skills, encouraging creativity in the kitchen and a lifelong love of food.
With these exciting projects, SEK Schools is not only educating, but empowering the next generation of leaders, creators and changemakers across Kent.
👉 Find out more and get involved
What’s on
KCF writes:
Kent Community Foundation Welcomes New Chief Executive
Kent Community Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Catherine Glover as its new Chief Executive, starting in April.
With a strong background in strategic philanthropy and leadership roles at global non-profit CDP and the Eden Project, Catherine has a proven track record of securing funding to drive social and environmental change. She is passionate about supporting local communities and ensuring that giving is impactful and fulfilling.
Catherine shared: “I believe in the vital role local voluntary organisations play in empowering communities. Leading Kent Community Foundation is an incredible honour, and I look forward to shaping its next chapter.”
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Natalie Smith, Interim Chief Executive, for her dedicated leadership during this transition.
A New Community Space at The Oval!
SEK is delighted to help spread the word about an exciting new addition to The Oval! From 2nd May 2025, a brand-new indoor café and community bookshop will be opening, providing a welcoming and accessible space for residents to gather, connect, and take part in regular events.
With covered outdoor areas and improved toilet facilities, visitors can enjoy activities in comfort—rain or shine. Plus, The Oval is now fully step-free, ensuring accessibility for all. A fantastic lineup of events is already in the works, including:
☕ Coffee Mornings at The Oval Café – A chance to connect over a warm drink.
🎶 Afternoon Tea Dances – Nostalgic gatherings with music and dancing.
🧶 Knit & Natter Club – A relaxed space for creativity and conversation.
💻 Tech Help Drop-Ins – Supporting digital skills and confidence.
🌿 Gardening and Wildlife Club – Helping to maintain and enjoy The Oval’s gardens.
🧘 Gentle Exercise Classes – Light movement sessions for fitness and fun.
This is a wonderful opportunity to bring the community together in a vibrant and inclusive setting.
News from:
East Kent Mind & Revival Food and Mood – Charity of the YEAR
We’re delighted to share that East Kent Mind and Revival Food and Mood have been chosen as the Charity of the Year by the new Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Cllr Keji Moses. To celebrate, two special fundraising events will take place in early July and we’d love your support!
The Big Walk and Talk, Sunday 6 July
Join us for a sponsored riverside walk starting at 10am from Westgate Gardens, Canterbury. The event aims to raise funds and spark positive conversations about mental health. The Lord Mayor will officially start the walk. Routes are accessible for all abilities.
👉 Book here
Summer Drinks Reception, Friday 4 July
Enjoy an evening at The Abode Hotel, Canterbury from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Guests will receive a complimentary cocktail (or non-alcoholic alternative) as the hotel launches its summer Flirtini.
👉 Book tickets here
We hope to see you there and feel free to invite family, friends, and colleagues!
Batton Of Hope
Following the huge success of their firs tour in 2023, the Batton of Hope is working with teams across the UK for an even bigger event in 2025!
Please help us to ‘Stand Up To Suicide’ as we spread the message of prevention far and wide.
