September Updates
With the arrival of crisp mornings and shorter days, September feels like a season of preparation, for learning, for growth, and for building resilience. This month’s newsletter features skills bootcamps, AI training for SMEs, and a focus on the power of community connection through our annual conference and sector events.
Build Your Career in Health & Social Care
We’re helping local people take the next step into rewarding careers in Health and Social Care. Skills Bootcamps offer flexible, practical training designed to fit around everyday life. With high-quality teaching and hands-on experience, they open the door to new opportunities, stronger skills, and long-term career success, Enrol Here to join our Adult Social Care Skills Bootcamp. You’ll gain level 3 accredited qualifications, practical experience, and a guaranteed job interview to launch your career.
Empowering Kent’s SMEs to Harness the Power of AI
The Kent AI Skills Accelerator (KASA) is a pioneering training programme designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Kent adopt artificial intelligence (AI) confidently, ethically, and effectively.
Whether you’re just starting to explore AI or looking to integrate it into your business strategy, this programme offers the skills, tools, and networks you need to stay competitive in a rapidly changing digital world.
Social Enterprise UK Awards 2025 – Finalists Announced
We’re proud to share that Social Enterprise Kent (SEK) has been named as a finalist in two Social Enterprise UK 2025 awards categories. This recognition highlights the breadth of SEK’s work and its commitment to delivering meaningful social impact for communities, supporting VCSE organisations, and helping people to thrive.
The awards celebrate the incredible impact and innovation across the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector and recognise organisations that are leading the way in using business as a force for good, tackling social and environmental challenges, and strengthening communities across the UK.
Being shortlisted is an honour for SEK, but also a celebration of the wider sector’s achievements. The awards shine a spotlight on the essential role that social enterprises play in building a fairer, more sustainable future.
The winners will be announced later this year, but for now, congratulations to all the finalists who represent the very best of social enterprise in the UK.
Book now! 14th October 2025
Resilience – Thriving in Times of Change
Time: 10am – 3pm
Venue: The Pavilion, Harbour Street, Broadstairs, CT10 1EU
Change is coming at us faster than ever, and for the VCSE sector, resilience isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the foundation that keeps us going, adapting, and creating impact no matter the challenges. That’s why this year’s Social Enterprise Kent’s Conference is dedicated to Resilience, how to build it, live it, and use it to make your organisation stronger than ever.
Join us for:
- Inspiring keynote speakers: sharing real-world lessons from the front line of social change.
- Connections that count: network with social entrepreneurs, charity leaders, and changemakers from across Kent & Medway over a sea-view lunch.
- Case studies: from the Thanet Social Enterprise Boost programme.
- Looking ahead: explore the future of social impact through the Social Impact Gateway.
Whether you’re part of a non-profit, an impact investor, a policymaker, or simply passionate about making communities better, this day is for you.
Places are limited so book your ticket now: Social Enterprise Annual Conference – Social Enterprise Kent
Volunteer and Skills Fair | 1st October | Folkestone
Join Sustainable Futures Forum for an event connecting local professionals and volunteers with local sustainability and community causes. Sign-up and share. This free, one-off event is designed to facilitate connections and collaborations between local sustainable and community organisations looking for support (inc. schools) – with businesses, professionals and volunteers wanting to donate their expertise and/or time to good causes. (Please note: Projects should have some element of sustainability focus)
Charity Mentors Networking Event | 7th October | Margate
For charities and not-for-profit organisations – find out about the help available to you from free mentoring, fundraising and infrastructure support. Learn more
Meet the Funders 2025 | 9th October | Folkestone
Thursday 9 October 2025, 10am-3pm | Three Hills Sports Park, Cheriton Road, Folkestone, CT19 5JU
A chance to have one-to-one discussions and find out about funding from a range of funders, including:
• The National Lottery Community Fund
• Kent Community Foundation
• Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust
• Roger De Haan Charitable Trust
• Active Kent and Medway
• Folkestone Town Council
There will also be information about funding from Folkestone and Hythe District Council, Comic Relief, Kent County Council, The Lawson Trust and more. Book one-to-ones about funding mentoring from Funding for All, plus drop-ins about other support for the sector from Stronger Kent Communities. For more information and to book a place, please email Sarah Thomas at sarah@sarahthomas.org.uk by 12 noon on Monday 6 October.
The Big STEM Challenge | 30 September Deadline
Time Is Running Out – Enter The Big STEM Challenge!
The countdown is on! There’s still time to take part in The Big STEM Challenge, with the deadline for entries 30th September 2025. Don’t miss this chance for schools, groups, and individuals aged 4–18 to showcase their brightest ideas in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
From eco-friendly inventions to working prototypes and tech-based solutions, this challenge is all about encouraging creativity, innovation, and real-world problem-solving. It’s a fantastic opportunity for young minds to shine and inspire the next generation of change-makers. Enter Here
Not entering this year? You can still join in! Book free spaces at the Science Fair, running alongside the challenge. Pupils will get to experience STEM in action — hands-on experiments, interactive exhibits, and inspiring activities that bring science to life.
Time is short — enter or book your free Science Fair tickets today!
Take a look at our SEK Schools programmes to see other projects that could help you plan ahead for the academic year:
SEK Schools – Social Enterprise Kent
Empowering Communities: Helping People Take Their Next Step
At Social Enterprise Kent, we know that many people have the potential to achieve more, they just need the right support to get started. Our Empowering Communities programme is here to help local people build confidence, gain new skills, and improve their wellbeing. Through free one-to-one guidance, participants can take positive steps towards employment, volunteering, or simply feeling more connected in their community. The programme is flexible, practical, and tailored to each individual’s needs.
Do you know someone who could benefit?
We’re asking local organisations, frontline teams, and community groups to help us spread the word. If you work with someone who could benefit from tailored 1:1 support to gain confidence, skills and be supported into work, please refer them to us.
Find out more here: Empowering Communities
Help Us Open the Door to Careers in Health & Social Care
The Widening Access Demonstrators Programme is here to support local people in Thanet and Dover to take their first step into health and social care careers. This is a government initiative (via the Department of Health and Social Care) that aims to open up employment in health and social care to people from communities who have been disproportionately affected by unemployment or economic inactivity.
Participants receive free, personalised employability support, from training and interview preparation to in-work help once they’ve secured a role. With direct links to real NHS and social care jobs, this programme offers a genuine pathway into meaningful, long-term work.
How you can help:
We’re asking local organisations and community groups to refer people who are unemployed or underemployed in Thanet and Dover, looking for work. By signposting someone you know, you could help them unlock new opportunities, build confidence, and step into a rewarding career.
Find out more and call us to make a referral.
Delivered locally by Social Enterprise Kent in partnership with EKC Group/EKC Training, and funded by the Department of Health and Social Care and the East Kent Health and Care Partnership, the programme is designed to create real change for individuals and communities.
Cancer Smart 2025 – 2026 extension!
We have been granted further early diagnosis funding from Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance for Cancer Smart 2025-2026!
From September, we’ll be gearing up for our next iteration of the Cancer Smart project. The community engagement team will continue to deliver a programme of broader cancer and screening awareness events in the community, but will also be working closely with three Primary Care Networks. These will include Margate and Herne Bay PCNs, who we will be supporting with their cervical screening programme.
If you are part of or support underrepresented groups or communities that experience health inequalities, please get in touch at prevention.projects@sekgroup.org.uk to find out how we can support.
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SEK Training | Skills That Strengthen Communities
At Social Enterprise Kent, we believe training should do more than tick a box – it should give people the tools and confidence to make a real difference. That’s why our courses are designed with the VCSE sector in mind, offering practical learning that’s relevant to the challenges you face every day.
From Good Governance, Health & Safety, First Aid, and Measuring Social Impact to flexible, self-paced e-learning, we provide training that works for individuals, teams, and whole organisations.
But we go further. Our specialist VCSE workshops and accredited qualifications help charities, social enterprises, and community groups to:
- Build stronger governance and leadership capacity
- Improve volunteer management and engagement
- Strengthen impact measurement and reporting
- Boost confidence in areas like fundraising, compliance, and community engagement
Whether you’re a small charity looking to upskill volunteers, a social enterprise scaling up your impact, or an individual keen to grow your skills, our training is here to support you.
👉 Ready to learn in a way that works for you and your community? Explore our courses and discover how SEK Training can help you achieve more. [Find out more here ➜]
Call us: 01227 469970
Email: info@sekgroup.org.uk
This month brings a variety of funding opportunities to help boost local projects and community initiatives. Here’s a round-up of what’s currently available:
- The Community Wellbeing Fund | NOW OPEN for applications!
This year, applications will need to be made via the Social Impact Gateway (SIG), a free platform helping local VCSE organisations access funding and partnerships.
✅ Apply for multiple funds with one registration
✅ Access exclusive funding opportunities
✅ Free support to become contract-ready
✅ Collaborate with other SIG affiliates. Apply today and secure funding for your organisation’s next big impact!
We strongly encourage all eligible organisations to register with the SIG as soon as possible to ensure they’re ready to apply once the Community Wellbeing Fund opens. We will only be accepting applications through the platform.
If you have any questions or need support, please don’t hesitate to contact us via sig@sekgroup.org.uk. -
Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (Round 10) | Supports upgrades to improve efficiency in existing district or communal heat networks across England and Wales. Apply for the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) Round 10 – GOV.UK
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England’s Green Heat Network Fund (Round 10) | Capital funding for new low-carbon heating projects that help the UK transition to net zero. Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF): guidance on how to apply – GOV.UK
We encourage you to apply early and share with others in your networks who might benefit.
Health & Social Care Learning and Development Trainer
Are you passionate about helping others reach their potential? We’re looking for an experienced, people-focused Learning and Development Trainer to join our team. In this role, you’ll design and deliver high-quality training that equips individuals with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive in Health & Social Care.
This is your chance to play a key part in shaping a stronger, more resilient care workforce while making a meaningful impact in one of the UK’s most vital sectors. If you’ve got the expertise and the enthusiasm to inspire others, we’d love to hear from you. Learn More
Community Connector – Active Kent and Medway
Do you know how to bring people together and spark change in your community? We’re seeking a Community Connector to help us engage with residents in Thanet, gathering insights that shape future programmes and inspire people to get more active in their daily lives.
This is a chance to work directly with local communities, building relationships, amplifying voices, and creating opportunities for healthier, more active living. If you’re a natural communicator who cares about making a difference, this role is for you. Learn More