Ageless Thanet Legacy Website

This website shares the impact, learning and legacy of the Ageless Thanet project, which ended on 31 March 2022. We are no longer updating these pages. For more information and contact details for ongoing work, please visit www.sekgroup.org.uk

Ageless Thanet Legacy Website

This website shares the impact, learning and legacy of the Ageless Thanet project, which ended on 31 March 2022. We are no longer updating these pages. For more information and contact details for ongoing work, please visit www.sekgroup.org.uk

Ageless Thanet volunteers celebrate Queen’s Award

Queen's Award crystal and certificate

More than 50 volunteers from across Thanet attended the Ageless Thanet Queen’s Award Presentation Ceremony in their honour at the Turner Contemporary on Tuesday 8 February.

Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, The Lady Colgrain, presented the award crystal and certificate from HM The Queen to Astrid Brenton and Clive Hart who received these on behalf of more than 200 volunteers who have been involved in Ageless Thanet since it began seven years ago.

She congratulated each and every volunteer for Ageless Thanet for their “passion and commitment.” Guests received individual certificates and badges and enjoyed a buffet reception. One volunteer said, “It was lovely to be recognised in such a special way  and I was really impressed with the organisation and the food.”

Volunteers were also particularly honoured for their tireless work for the community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ageless Thanet programme, run by Social Enterprise Kent, has had older volunteers at its heart since it began. With their help it has made huge strides in reducing loneliness and isolation among over 50s in Thanet. 75% of volunteers said they saw a reduction in feelings of loneliness and 86% said their feelings of being part of the community increased through the programme.

The award crystal and certificate will be kept at the Social Enterprise Kent office in Margate and volunteers who could not attend the ceremony will receive certificates by post in recognition of their incredible contribution.

While the Ageless Thanet programme officially ends in March, Social Enterprise Kent and partners Your Leisure and Age UK are continuing its legacy through Kent County Council’s Universal Wellbeing Contract for Older People. Visit Social Enterprise Kent’s wellbeing page for details.

A number of volunteer groups are now running activities independently, including coffee mornings, social strolls and a quiz. Find out more on our activities page.