News Improvement


in staff survey AN NHS survey which invited staff at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust to rate the organ- isation, showed more would rec- ommend the trust as a place to work or to receive treatment. Staff also felt the care of patients


was the trust’s top priority. While the staff survey, which


covered 32 areas, showed the trust outperformed the national average in eight areas, and seven within the top 20%, according to staff, 10 areas scored within the national average, and six fell below that, including one regarding the extra hours they needed to work, which put it in the bottom 20%. Other responses put the trust in


the top 20% for ensuring staff had appraisals, relevant training and learning and development oppor- tunities. Richard Hayden, deputy director


of workforce, thanked staff for their hard work and dedication at a time of enormous challenge and un- precedented demand on the service and said that the trust would con- tinue to invest in frontline staff and services. He added: “While this is an im-


provement on last year, the trust is working with staff to help make further improvements with an aim of having no areas at all below the national average.”


Shop needs


volunteers VOLUNTEERS who can spare a few hours a week are needed to work in Hi Kent’s new shop in Week Street, Maidstone. The shop will be open after Easter, from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday. No experience is nec- essary as full training will be given and travel expenses paid. The charity, which works to


help deaf and hearing-impaired people in Kent,welcomes applica- tions from a diverse range of peo- ple. A DBS check will be necessary and will be paid for by the charity. This is an opportunity to make


a real difference to Hi Kent’s clients by promoting assistive equipment that can help a person living with hearing loss. Please contact Donna Chadwick


on 01622 691151, textphone to 07795 951466 or email d.chad- wick@hikent.org.uk.


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24 Maidstone East April 2016


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Mixed reviews for Bearsted’s new Costa


TROUBLE has been brewing in Bearsted over the opening of a new cof- fee shop in Yeoman Court.


Costa Coffee’s new cafe in the Ashford Road parade of shopswas opened by the Maidstone Mayor, Cllr Daniel Moriarty, pictured, on March 29. The premiseswere vacated at the


end of January by Sara Henderson, who ran the Hunker Down Daisy florist and gift shop for five years previously, butwas forced to move because of a huge hike in the rent. The florist took on a 10-year lease


for the shop in 2001 but the Lon- don-based landlord took advan- tage of a five-year break clause to increase the annual rent by a mas- sive 37.5%.At the time, it had anA1 classification (shops and retail). Some residents contacted the


parish council, arguing that coffee shops required an A3 planning consent (food and drink), which the new tenant had not obtained from Maidstone Borough Council. However, the Government changed permitted development rights in April last year to allow much more flexibility in retail uses,


permission.” Supporters of Hunker Down


Daisy and local business took to so- cial media to suggest a boycott of the new coffee shop – but were equalled in number by those who welcomed the addition to the vil- lage.


Stephen Williams said: “Pleased


including a change from a shop to a café, without the need for planning permission. Bearsted Parish Council con-


tacted Maidstone Council's plan- ning enforcement team on behalf of the grumbling residents and was advised accordingly. A council spokesman said: “In


terms of planning, the change of an A1 shop to a coffee shop can occur without needing planning permis- sion. This is because a coffee shop would either be judged to be anA1 use (the same), or if deemed an A3 use (restaurants and cafes); such a change would not need planning


to see Costa arrive. Good coffee and service and I got a welcoming greeting from staff that appeared pleased Iwas there. That it's a chain or a franchise is irrelevant – it's people's livelihoods." But John Barrett said: “I’m totally


in favour of independent cafes over yet another Costa,” while Mandy May said: “I can’t understand how this is acceptable with only limited parking.” A spokesman for Costa said:


“Our store has created eight jobs, both full and part time." There is already a Costa at Next,


in Maidstone Road, Weavering, and at the shopping centre in Grove Green.


Marathon effort for cancer charity


A CHEESE and wine fundraiser at Fish on the Green in Bearsted raised almost £2,000 for Bowel and Cancer Re- search. Helen Fowler, who has worked at Fish since it opened


eight years ago, is running this year’s London Marathon for the cause and had set herself a target of £2,500. The success of the evening means she has already


raised £3,025. Helen said: “We had great support fromso many local companies, including Chapel Down Wines, Leeds Castle, House of Fraser and our suppliers, Enotria and CoeWine Suppliers and Turners Fine Foods. Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer and Helen’s father is currently fighting the disease, which killed her grandmother. Helen and her fiancé Pete, who also works at Fish,


have a little boy, Eddie, who is six and she said: “He's half the reason I wanted to do something to help the future generation through funding money into research. My family has a history of bowel cancer, so it only seemed right to raise money to help others suffering


Magician Etienne Pradier entertains at the event


with this disease. “My grandmother died of the disease, my father is fighting the disease and I can't bear the thought an- other family member may have to go through it too. “We loveworking at Fish. As soon as I said Iwas think-


ing of doing the marathon, theywere all behindmeand the support has been amazing. To be over target already is wonderful and great for Bowel and Cancer Research.”


Charity offers help for parents


PARENTS looking for support with youngsters demonstrating behav- ioural problems are invited to call a Maidstone charity for help. HearSay has been established for 12 years, but has recently moved to


Mill Street. The charitable trust offers counselling to those showing symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism, as well as support for other members of the family. Counsellor and senior psychotherapist Dr Kitty Morgan Jones assists


those referred by care professionals such as GPs and with self-referrals, who are asked to give a donation to the charity, based on what they can afford. For details call 01227 271172 or email gill.hinson@hearsay-trust.org.uk.


Drivers plea INVICTA Gateway Club, which runs a social club for adults with learning disabilities, is looking for volunteer drivers. The role involves driving the


club’s minibus between 6.30pm and 10.30pm on occasional Fri- days. Anyone interested should email carolynpiper431@hot- mail.co.uk.


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