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downsmail.co.uk Highlighting volunteers’work
AN open day including workshops and networking marked the official launch of the Involve Volunteer Centre at Maidstone Town Hall in Jubilee Square. The day-long event also included
the first AGM of Involve Kent Ltd since it changed its name from Vol- untary Action Maidstone earlier this year. The organisation remains fo-
cused on the Maidstone and Malling area, but the name change enables it to undertake projects elsewhere in Kent. The volunteer centre has had its permanent home in the Town Hall entrance foyer – previously the tourist information centre – for about 18 months. It is a drop-in centre on weekdays between 10am and 4pm for those interested in vol- unteering. It also provides free computer training and an area to discuss issues confidentially. In the past year 587 new volun-
teers have been registered, with 275 voluntary opportunities on the cen- tre's database. It has taken referrals from organisations such as Porch- light, MCCH, Kent Supported Em- ployment, KPMT and Trinity House. Involve chief executive Charlotte Osborn-Forde said: “If your organ- isationwants a town centre base to meet clients, the space has internet access and a confidential area to talk. We just ask for a small dona- tion to pay for tea and refresh- ments.” Other Involve projects include:
Carers (supporting those who need help due to illness, disability, mental health issues, addiction or frailty): there were 3,436 carers registered at the year-end, 635 of whomwere identified in the past
Planners stick
to their guns MAIDSTONE Council's planning committee has stayed true to its word and refused a proposal for 35 homes in Barming because a devel- oper insisted on removing a hedge. In September, the committee de-
ferred a planning application for land at Bell Farm because it would have led to the removal of a hedge on the western side of North Street and homes fronting a new road, contrary to the council's emerging local plan. But the developer said it could not amendthe layout due todrainage is- sues, so members of the committee unanimously refused the scheme, mainly due to its urbanising effect on North Street. The plan for 18 two-bedroom and
17 three-bedroom houses drew 57 objections from residents and oppo- sition from Barming and Teston parish councils.
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Giving help to families
ONEof the more recent projects In- volve has backed is Help a Maid- stone Child (HaMC). It was set up four years ago by
Involve chief executive Charlotte Osborn-Forde, Maidstone mayor Cllr Daniel Moriarty, KCC chairman Cllr Mike Harrison and volunteer centre manager Liz Lowrey
year – 266% of the annual target. Older people (supporting the elderly through day trips, be- friending and the falls prevention classes): in the past year there were 192 new users (up 23%), tak- ing the registered number to 900. Therewere 259 people who re- ceived telephone befriending in the past year. Falls prevention classes are now taking place in Canterbury and Dover aswell as Maidstone and Malling. Supported volunteers (assigns roles for volunteers at Maidstone Gateway and for the V-Team proj- ect, which provides domestic as- sistance for those unable): there were 39 volunteers involved in the Gateway project in the past year, with 171 gardening and decorat- ing tasks completed by V-Team volunteers. Community transport (driving those unable to and from medical appointments, social events, shop-
ping events and falls prevention classes): there were 7,500 trips arranged in the previous period. Voluntary and community sector support (provides training, forums and advice): in the past year it has run networks and forums for groups such as young people and the disabled.A black and ethnic minority (BME) forum is being launched. Trainingwas given to 87 people in the past year, with 359 attending forums and focus groups. Cancer support (helps sufferers and affected families in a scheme with Macmillan): in the past year volunteers devoted 77 hours a week to users. Your voice (mental health awareness): in the past year there were 45 events held through the Time To Change project and 795 conversations aimed at reducing the stigma associated with mental health.
local children’s charities to give small grants to Maidstone families with acute needs to cover an issue picked up by a professional working with them. In the past year, fund-raising ac-
tivities and a donation from the Dinsmore Trust helped reach a total of £11,950 for distribution this year. Other organisations that have
helped with funds includeWaitrose, Viridor, Chelsea Building Society, Golding Homes, Bearsted Farmers’ Market, East Farleigh Farmers’ Mar- ket, Maidstone Magistrates’ Court, Mount Engineering, Nationwide and Salvation Army. TSB has made HaMC its charity of the year. Rapid-response grantswere given
to 23 families last year, with £3,600 donated to Princess Project, Switch Youth Cafe, M4S, Dandelion Time, Crossroads Young Carers and Park Wood Scouts. There was due to be a quiz night
at the Roffen Club, Rochester on November 18 – tickets are £10. A carol concert takes place at St Mar- tin's Church, Shepway on Decem- ber 17, with Energise Park Wood Community Choir and Innominata. Meetings are at Switch Youth
Cafe, where you can get more infor- mation. Call 07578 879 909.
Secret shopper praises store
AMYSTERYshopper from a trade magazine has been out and about in Maidstone, awarding points to electrical appliance retailers. Earning top marks and the title
as top independent was Simon Burton of Home Media in Union Street. The mystery shopper sur- vey was carried in the October issue of ERT, the electrical news and product information maga- zine. The reviewer’s report described
Simon as extremely knowledge- able about his products, adding: “I went in with a fixed idea and Simon managed to convincemeto buy a more premium product. The store looked great.” The mystery shopper awarded Simon’s sales skills and store pres- entation top marks, 10 out of 10. Currys PC World on the Ayles-
Maidstone Town December 2015
level, but she did a great job. The store looked clean and very tidy.” Other stores visited for the Shopfloor feature included Sevenoaks Sound and Vision in Week Street and Stormfront in Fremlin Walk, both of which re- ceived scores of 9/10 and were jointly commended independents. Samsung Boutique in the Royal
Simon Burton at his store
ford Retail Park also earned 10/10 and the title of winning multiple. The summary said: “Pam was rushed off her feet as the only member of staff on the mezzanine
Star Arcade earned 3/5 for sales skills but 8/10 overall; Richer Sounds in Earl Streetwas marked down on sales skills, earning 8/10 overall, with Wrights Warehouse in Waterloo Street coming last with just 2/5 for sales skills, 3/5 for store presentation and a total score of 5/10. The summary read: “A greeting
and a little produce advicewas as good as it got at this store.”
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