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downsmail.co.uk Family centres show improvement
MAIDSTONE’S children’s centres have received a pat on the back from Government inspectors after responding to calls to clean up their act. Ofsted inspectors deemed the
town cluster of six centres inade- quate at an inspection in June last year, but say a raft of improve- ments now justify them being re- classified as good. Five inspectors looked at the six children’s centres – East Borough, Greenfields, Howard de Walden, Sunshine, The Meadow and West Borough – over four days. They found significant progress
had been made to improve the quality and range of services pro- vided for families. Services had a consistently posi-
tive impact on families who used the centres and there were highly effective working arrangements with other services and organisa- tions, meaning families received professional help quickly. The Ofsted report said: “Centre leaders and staff are highly moti- vated and dedicated to their role. They praise the new management structure and take full responsibil- ity for the quality of their work.” Although there had been an in- crease in the range of training
courses provided for parents, in- spectors found therewas still room for improvement if the centres wanted to be rated outstanding. The inspectors visited three stay- and-play sessions, including one at Maidstone barracks, the young par- ents’ group, a community café, a childminding group, adult learning sessions, health clinics and a Baby Bumpkins session at The Meadows Centre.
The centres’ priorities are chil-
dren and families living in less af- fluent areas, teenage and young parents, children known to be sup- ported by social care and military families. There are 8,391 children aged
under five years living in the com- munity served by the centres and about 11% of the families are from minority ethnic backgrounds. Parts of Tovil and Park Wood,
served by the Sunshine and Meadow children’s centres, are deemed to be among the most dis- advantaged areas of the country. Targeted work in the Park Wood
area had doubled the numbers of families accessing services. The report said: “Centre staff
have worked tirelessly to promote the centres’ services across the area. As a result, the centres are now re- garded as hubs of the community.”
National award for railway supporter
RAIL enthusiast and formerMayor of Maidstone Mike FitzGerald has been recognised for his outstanding work with community rail in Kent. Mr FitzGerald (74), who has begun
to wind down much of his charitable activity in Maidstone, is chairman of the Kent Community Rail Partnership (KCRP) and also the Medway Valley Line Partnership. The KCRP brings together local community groups to support im- provements to rail links and facilities, organises railway trails and even music events aboard the trains. Mike is pictured with his third prize
in the outstanding volunteer contri- bution category at the Association of
Credit union’s £2m milestone
LENDING by Kent Savers Credit Union, which has its base in Maidstone, passed the £2million mark in September.
Loans of nearly £74,000 were is- sued in the month, from a loan for vehicle repairs to several for debt consolidation. Other popular rea- sons included home improvement, furnishings, holidays and cars. Nearly 1,500 loans have been is- sued by the organisation that was launched in 2010 to provide a cheaper, safer option for those with poor credit histories facing loan sharks and pay-day lenders. Kent Savers Credit Union – a partnership with the Church of England – has seen a number of church and community-based branches created.
Martin Kingman (pictured), chairman of Kent Savers Credit Union, said: "In the past year there has been a kick back against the very high interest rates charged by pay-day lenders and some banks and credit card companies. Also,
banks are being more selective when agreeing loans and many people such as those on benefits with small in- comes requir- ing small sums for a short pe- riod find it hard to access bor- rowing. Kent Savers have a range of loans and works with its members to help them save and break the
cycle of debt." As well as helping those strug- gling to pay debts, the credit union relies on savers and those with good credit histories to offset the higher risk it takes in helping those less well off.
Mr Kingman said: “Our main aims are to promote saving and provide our members with loans at reasonable rates, so that they feel in control of their own money.”
Formore local news go to
www.downsmail.co.uk 22 Maidstone Town November 2015
Community Rail Partnerships’ an- nual awards in Torquay, for his 10 years’ service to the group. Guy Schofield, project officer for KCRP, said: “Thanks to his energy, enthusi- asm and expert- ise Mike has led the partnership through a decade of suc- cess and built strong founda- tions for the long-term fu-
ture of the partnership and the SwaleRail and Medway Valley Lines
which we promote. I am delighted that he has achieved national recog- nition.” Sarah Deakin, engagement officer
achieved second prize in the small pojects category for the Champions action day she organised, while Guy himself had two images placed among the top eight photographs, on the theme: “The Essence of Com- munity Rail”. The Kent Community Rail Partner-
ship includes Sustrans, KCC, Swale Council,Medway Council, Maidstone Council, Tonbridge&Malling Council, Southeastern Railway, parish and town councils along the lines, Nu- Venture Coaches and others.
School house blaze
POLICE investigating a fire at a derelict building in Maidstone are appealing for information. The blaze, at the former school house in Brewer Street, is believed to have started between 1pm and 2.30pm on Saturday, September 26 and is being treated as suspicious. Officers have been carrying out house-to-house enquiries, speak- ing to local businesses and investi- gating possible CCTV evidence. Maidstone district commander Chief Inspector Mick Gardner said: “This was a fire believed to have been started deliberately in a built- up area of the town, with thou- sands of pounds’ worth of damage caused. Fortunately our partners at Kent Fire and Rescue Service were able to put the blaze out before it
spread.” Anyone with information can contact 01622 604100 or email
west.division.media.appeals@kent.
pnn.police.uk quoting reference YY/019335/15.
In a separate incident, Adam Sta- jer (21), of Lower Stone Street, de- nied deliberately starting a fire at The Works bookshop in Week Street, Maidstone in June. The Slovakian pleaded not guilty to arson with intent to endanger life and an alternative charge of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered. A trial date has been set for November 30. The blaze caused damage to Thomson travel agents, Hotter shoe shop, Dorothy Perkins, Burton, M&S Women's Fashion and Thorn- tons.
Restaurant at housing scheme
RESIDENTS in Shepway have a new place to eat out without venturing far from home.
Social housing provider Golding Homes has teamed up with Medway Norse, the Gillingham-based catering and facilities provider, to create a new restaurant – Café Focus. Based in Hardwick House sheltered housing scheme in Northumberland Road, Maidstone, the restaurant will
be open to residents as well as their visitors and customers from the neighbouring community. The appointment of Medway Norse follows a consultation with restaurant users and their families, and a full tender process. The restaurant will offer a choice of hot, nutritious meals at a reasonable price and is open seven days a week, 365 days a year.
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