Town July 2014

News

downsmail.co.uk Shelter scheme set to expand

MAIDSTONE Churches’Winter Shelter for the homeless, which was launched after Christmas, was so successful that plans are in place to expand and improve it next winter. Thirty-two people were given a

roof over their head, a bed and a meal during an eight-week period at seven churches (SalvationArmy, Methodist, United Reformed, St Faith’s, Quakers, Baptist, St Luke’s) on successive nights of the week. In all, 52 people were helped in

various ways. Every church had the support of

volunteers and local financial and food donations (many from Downs Mail readers). Funding was available to employ a project manager and assistant. All guests hadwashing facilities

andwere offered clean clothes and footwear, bringing “an amazing, visible impact of personal confi- dence”.

Independence was encouraged

and homeless guests were sup- ported to find their own perma- nent accommodation. This was achieved for 12 people. Eight people renewed contacts

with their families and sevenwere helped to find paid work, work placements or voluntary jobs. The shelter has now been incor- porated as a registered charity and this will help “to build stronger

structures and develop a higher quality project ... to relieve this deep need in Maidstone”. The aim is to open for longer

and with more beds. Volunteering capacity could

allow for 20 beds, but as some churches are small alternative ven- ues are needed. Chairman Rev Bill Miller intro-

duced the published project report at a reception in Maidstone Baptist Church, where he is minister.

Rev Bill Miller thanks (fromleft) associate project manager Angela Flynn, volunteer help manager Tracy Maybank and project manager Jayne Hendy

‘Wonderful’ project changedmy life

TONY Powell-Chatfield (49) says Maidstone Churches Winter Shelter and Maidstone Day Care Centre has totally changed his life. Until Christmas he slept in woods in

a tent (until it was stolen), off Millen- nium Park and in Sandling. Then the former pharmacy techni-

cian heardof the night shelter offered by severalMaidstone churches. He went to the Salvation Army

Citadel in Union Street, where he en- joyed a meal, the company of other homeless people and volunteers, and

a comfortable campbed. “It was wonderful,” said Tony (pic-

tured). He moved on to other churches until the scheme ended in February. But the two charities liaised with MaidstoneCouncil andTonywas offered an apartment off London Road, with rent paid fromhis benefits and furniture provided by volunteers. “There is no substitute for yourown

place,” Tony told the DownsMail. Tony lost his job, was evicted from

his Maidstone home due to rent ar- rears in September 2012 and was

homeless for two winters. He was helped by the day centre for 18 months, but the nights were “tough”. Now he is fit

and settled – and just needs

to find a job, perhaps in a pharmacy or as a driving mate. The DownsMail will pass on any offers of interview to Tony.

to raise funds CHURCHESacross the Maidstone area will be taking part in the an- nual Ride and Stride event on Sat- urday, September 13. The event takes place across England andWales, and is organ- ised in Kent by The Friends of Kent Churches. Participants are invited to visit

as many churches as they can, ei- ther by cycling, walking or maybe even on horseback. The money they raise through sponsorship is then shared between their own church and The Friends of Kent Churches, which makes grants to preserve churches across Kent. More information, including a

list of the churches taking part and a downloadable sponsorship form, can be found atwww.friend- sofkentchurches.co.uk .

Inpatient plan

A NEW 18-bed inpatient hospital facility for younger adults could be built in Priority House, Hermitage Lane, Maidstone. The single-storey buildingwould

see the relocation of a generator within a new compound. Maid- stone Council will determine the planning application.

30 Maidstone Town July 2014

Visit churches Grant gets charity on the road Big fun run Managing director Daniela Hel-

MAIDSTONE charity Restoring Hands has been awarded £10,000 of Big Lottery funds towards a van to help with itswork. The charity seeks to improve qual-

ity of life, restore dignity and pro- mote hope for the less fortunate. Its volunteerswork with victims of do- mestic violence in sheltered accom- modation; provide food parcels and complete home refurbishments for needy families; visit and provide en- tertainment for the elderly; and run a Star Kids campaign which provides Christmas presents for needy chil- dren.

frich said: “Our work has been lim- ited due to the lack of transport and this van will help us expand and im- prove the projectswe are already in- volved with.” The charity is embarking on anew project, Hope on Wheels, which will distribute food parcels, take the eld- erly on day trips, and help women from sheltered housing move into their own homes. Restoring Hands has raised funds through itsowninitiatives and is ap- plying to other grant schemes to meet the full cost of the project.

Fury as homes plan revealed

A DEVELOPER has angered resi- dents by going public on a pro- posal for homes on farmland next to Loose Conservation Area – de- spite the site being removed as a possible area for development in Maidstone Council’s draft local plan.

Residents also expressed con-

cerns to Millwood Designer Homes about overloading already congested roads in and around Cripple Street, where the com- pany wants to build about 45 houses.

Millwood displayed its plan for

up to 14 affordable homes, six chalet bungalows and a range of homes with up to five bedrooms atVine Church in Boughton Lane. Local Cllr Mike Hogg was out-

raged that the developer had pur- sued the proposal when no application had been submitted, and he had fought successfully with Cllr Stephen Paine to have the site thrown out of the draft local plan in February. He said: “This seems yet again developers bullying the residents who live behind this field at Crip- ple Street to get their own way.

ENTRIES are being invited for the Big Fun Run at Mote Park, Maid- stone, at 11am on Saturday July 19. Entry costs £11.49 for adults and

£9.49 for children and runners over 65. Children under five go free. Fin- ishers get a medal, goody bag and refreshments. Enter at www.bigfunrun.com,

and for more information see the facebook page or follow #BigFun- Run on Twitter.

Tea shop agreed

PLANNING permission has been granted to convert a farm shop in the Royal Star Arcade, Maidstone, into a teashop. PJ Farm Shop is to become

Judd’s Kitchen and Tea House, serving fresh leaved teas and tra- ditional teashop items and foods. It will seat about 50 guests over two floors with sales space for re- lated items.

Office conversion

THE go-ahead was given for the conversion of an office to four one- bed flats in 3 Albion Place, Maid- stone. The proposal was accepted as a prior notification application, which bypasses the usual planning procedure.

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