Grants given to local organisations
Seven local organisations had good news from the Council in February 2026 when they were notified that they had been awarded one of the Council’s Community Support Fund grants.
The £100,000 Community Support Fund was made available by councillors to help residents feeling the impact of the cost of living crisis and local charities and groups who offer residents support were invited to apply for one-off grants from the fund.
Corinna Keefe, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities said: ‘The Community Support Fund is especially important right now because it gives our local charities the resources they need to help people with the cost of living. We've also expanded the terms of the grant so that charities can spend the money on capital investments, such as new equipment, which will make them more effective in the long run.
‘This year, we took on board feedback from charities about how to make the grants work better for them. I'm delighted that we were able to issue seven grants this year, up from the usual five, to support as many different organisations as possible.’
Age UK Tunbridge Wells has received one of the grants to assist with their service for older people. It means their skilled advisors will be able to continue to give advice and guidance to the many people contacting them daily, and make home visits to isolated and housebound residents.
Charlie’s Angels Kitchen will use their grant to continue providing hot meals and groceries for local residents on a pay as you feel basis. Similarly the grant to the six church parish larders in Tunbridge Wells means they will be able to continue offering bags of food at low cost to households who need it. They have seen an increase in people visiting them and so the money will be very welcome.
Another recipient, DAVSS, is a local charity helping any victims of domestic abuse. They protect vulnerable families, prevent harm and contribute to safer communities.
Home Start South West Kent gives support to vulnerable families in financial crisis who have very young children. Since April 2025 Home Start’s work has meant help for more than 60 children aged five and under 9. Like so many organisations they rely on volunteers to deliver their services.
Angus Bogle, Chair of Trustees at Home Start South West Kent, said: ‘We are delighted that Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has awarded us this money. This generous award will help us to continue to support local families with young children with our volunteer home-visiting service. Thank you from all our trustees, staff and Home Start families.’
The Hygiene Bank will use their grant to source additional hygiene products for those living in hygiene poverty and to provide a central storage space to manage stock more easily. This volunteer-led group works with 10 community partners who ensure the hygiene products go to those who need them.
West Kent Debt Advice received a grant too. They are an independent local charity with their own board of trustees which exists to support the provision of debt and money advice. They describe their service as ‘rooted in and representative of the local community we serve’.
We are pleased to be able to offer this support to these groups.
