This year, we celebrate 35 years of West Kent. We also honor our youth services team for 20 years of supporting those aged 8 to 19.

We've changed much in our projects and services. We want to offer the best support to those in our homes and communities.

What hasn't changed is our passion for supporting young people. They need tools and services to achieve their goals and make good choices for their future.

West Kent, Children in Need, local councils, and anonymous donors fund our youth projects.

Here are some of the achievements of our youth services team over the last 20 years:

  • In 2004, we started our ‘youth services’ work. We set up Young Adventurers (originally the '8-12s project'). It provides low-cost, local activities for 8- to 12-year-olds. They are in a safe environment, with a focus on behaviour and communication.
  • In 2005, we received funding for our Hartley Youth Shelter.
  • In 2008, we carried out one of our first youth surveys in Swanley, led by young people. It aimed to find out what they needed in their local area.
  • In 2013, we set up our HOUSE project in Edenbridge. It provided advice and support for fun activities for young people.
  • In 2016, we started our Young Parents Club. The club offers peer support for parents in Edenbridge. 
  • In 2017, we hosted the music festival 'YouthFest' in Edenbridge. Harry Shotta attended, performed, and offered lyric-writing sessions to attendees. 
  • In 2018, Cheryl Banks, our HOUSE project leader in Edenbridge, won UK Youth's 'Youth Worker of the Year' award. This was for her many years of hard work and dedication to young people in the Sevenoaks district. 
  • In 2020, our youth service went online. We provided support, social activities, and guidance during the covid pandemic. 
  • In 2021, we got £35k to rebuild our youth services after Covid.
  • 2023 - we celebrated ten years of our HOUSE project in Edenbridge. A project aiming to provide low-cost recreational and educational activities for young people.

Hear from our lead youth worker, Ben, a former youth forum attendee. He explains why our youth services have a significant impact on our residents.

35 years of West Kent: Regenerating 67 unused garages into 14 new, warm and affordable homes

As we mark 35 years of West Kent, we’re looking back on our innovative redevelopment, which turned 67 garages in Swanley into 14 new homes for local families.

 

35 years of West Kent: Jean's story of community and belonging

As part of our 35 years of West Kent campaign, we're proud to share Jean's story. In this video, Jean, a resident for over 11 years, shares her thoughts on how West Kent has supported her though life changes and helped to build a sense of community in her local neighbourhood.