6 Maidstone Borough Council
Could you be killing with kindness?
Maidstone Borough Council and Town Centre Management are launching a hard-hitting campaign which aims to tackle begging in the town by urging shoppers to donate their spare change to homeless charities rather than giving it to beggars.
‘Your kindness could kill’ aims to inform the public that the money they give to beggars is often used to buy alcohol or drugs which could ultimately kill them. The posters - displaying an image of a body made up of coins – form part of a wider campaign aiming to support homeless people to get off the streets.
Councillor John A Wilson, Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure services, says “Members of the public give their money to street beggars in good faith, often presuming that they are homeless.
Unfortunately, giving money to people begging does not always help them. There are many organisations, often charities, offering support with addiction or providing help with accommodation and support. They would benefit immensely from people’s donations and we would rather people make donations to them, however small they might be.”
Head of Housing and Community Safety, John Littlemore said “We work very closely with both Porchlight and Maidstone Day Centre to support people who are homeless. Many of these people are hidden and do not get support from the public as they are not on our streets begging. By giving money to local charities, you know your money is going to help those people who need it most.”
Maidstone Mela –
bringing cultures together This year’s Maidstone Mela will be another celebration of music, food and dance. It will feature groups representing cultures from across the World.
All of the groups represent people from the borough such as the Nepalese community group, which has strong links with the Ghurkha regiment in the town.
Friday 6 September - Jubilee Square, Maidstone
2.30pm - 6.15pm
Friday’s entertainment includes leading African singer and percussion player Lucky Moyo.
Sunday 8 September – Mote Park, Maidstone
12.30pm – 5.30pm
Madness Tribute band Badness are Sunday’s headline act. Formed in 1994, Badness have been a market leader in the tribute and Ska scene and have recently won the 2013 National Tribute Awards for being one of best tribute bands in the UK.
If you would like to donate to our local homeless charities please go to
www.porchlight.org.uk or
www.homelessinmaidstone.org.uk. Please remember to gift aid your donation to increase the amount received by these charities.
Walking Buses
Schools across Maidstone will be stepping up to take advantage of green travel schemes. The council has provided £3,000 sponsorship for schools signing up for the Kent Messenger Walk on Wednesday (WOW) and Active Bug walking to school schemes. Councillor Marion Ring, the council’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “They reduce the number of cars on the road during the school run, which is great news for the environment, and they give children the chance to keep active and learn vital road safety skills.” To find out how your child’s school could benefit from the funding contact Louise Rogerson from the KM Walk to School team on 08442 640291 or go to
www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk
Home Choice
If you are living in housing association accommodation, have been affected by the recent benefits changes and are looking to move into a smaller home, the Kent Homechoice website can help. If you are on the housing register (you can apply at
Maidstone.gov.uk), you can search for available housing association properties on the Homechoice website and bid for up the three properties a fortnight. To find out more, visit
www.kenthomechoice.org.uk. The website also has information on the Mutual Exchange process, whereby those looking for a smaller home can exchange with someone looking for a bigger property.
If you are concerned in the meantime about paying your rent following the changes to benefits, please talk to your landlord, who may also be able to help you to find a new property.
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