A word from Ageless Thanet project manager and Social Enterprise Kent Deputy CEO Rebecca Smith
As the Ageless Thanet project comes to an end, I’m both sad and incredibly proud of everything we’ve done over the last seven years to make Thanet a great place to grow older.
I’m proud because this work does not stop with the National Lottery Community Fund funding coming to an end. Wellbeing activities and digital inclusion continue through Social Enterprise Kent and partners Your Leisure and Age UK, thanks to Kent County Council’s Universal Wellbeing contract. Volunteering activities continue through the wonderful volunteers who are now independently running walking groups, quizzes, sewing classes, Wheelability and more.
Opportunities to join in with group activities continue through the many groups we funded through the Ageless Thanet Community Fund and, more recently, the Wellbeing Community Fund managed by Social Enterprise Kent. As Deputy CEO of Social Enterprise Kent, I’m proud that we are still part of a range of services making a difference to older people – not just in Thanet but now across Kent.
I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done over the last seven years alongside fantastic volunteers, staff, partners and participants to reduce loneliness and isolation among over 50s in Thanet and to challenge negative stereotypes about ageing. Whether you’ve been involved as an Age-Friendly Business, an Ageless Entrepreneur, taken part in our 50+ Festivals, felt better thanks to the Feelgood Factory, used our reward card or received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, you’ve been part of a positive change that isn’t going away. You should be proud too.
So, this is a final thank you from all of us at Ageless Thanet but it isn’t goodbye. Many of the faces you know from Ageless Thanet are still at Social Enterprise Kent or in the community. We hope you’ll stay in touch with us and keep an eye out for more opportunities to come.
To see the impact you’ve had, watch our Impact of Ageless Thanet video and read our final report.