More support for volunteers and community groups

Published: Monday, 23rd March 2026

Sevenoaks District Council will again be supporting local charity, voluntary and community groups by allocating £101,820 in grants to help with their valuable work.

The grants will support organisations that provide services to Sevenoaks District residents, particularly those in greatest need.

Grants worth £33,280 will be awarded to 13 local groups who support families and volunteers, run community transport and help older people and people experiencing poor mental health.

Amongst the organisations that will benefit are Sevenoaks Counselling, Home-Start South West Kent, The Community Cupboard, West Kent Mediation and Imago.

Others benefiting from funding will be Sevenoaks Volunteer Transport Group who run services for older, infirm and disabled residents and Baby Umbrella who provide support to new families in Sevenoaks and Otford.

A further £63,540 will be given to Citizens’ Advice Edenbridge and Westerham and Citizens’ Advice North and West Kent (Sevenoaks and Swanley). In addition, both the Sevenoaks District Arts Council and the Sevenoaks District Sports Council will receive funding of £2,500 each.

The Council’s Cabinet Member for People and Places, Cllr Lesley Dyball, says: “It’s always a pleasure to be able to help fund our local charity and volunteer-led organisations.

“Every year, our community grants support dedicated volunteers who provide thousands of hours of support to our most vulnerable residents. This latest round of community grants will go some way to ensure their vital work can continue.”

The Council’s Cabinet agreed the Community Grant funding at its meeting on Thursday 19 March 2026.

Organisations receiving funding are:

• Community Safety Education CIC Respect - to fund interactive school sessions to deter anti-social behavior, crime and online gambling - £1,200
• Sevenoaks Counselling - to reconfigure a meeting room to make it more suitable for children's counselling - £2,000
• Home-Start South West Kent - support to families with children under five years of age - £1,000
• Sevenoaks PHAB - to run weekly fun meetings for adults with a learning or physical disability - £500
• The Community Cupboard - to provide food and household supplies to clients in West Kingsdown - £2,500
• West Kent Mediation - to help fund a free conflict resolution service for Sevenoaks District residents - £5,000
• Sadeh - for volunteer days in the community garden to promote mental wellbeing and reduce social isolation - £2,500
• Imago - to support volunteers and volunteering in the Sevenoaks District - £4,000
• Sevenoaks Volunteer Transport Group - to support a transport scheme for older, infirm and disabled residents - £1,000
• Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees - interactive sessions in schools and the wider community - £5,000
• PS Breastfeeding CIC (Kent Sling Library) - to provide information and advice to new parents, and equipment including slings, carriers, cloth nappies and breast pumps - £1,950
• Baby Umbrella - support for new families in Sevenoaks and Otford - £4,630
• The Space Darent Valley Community Church - to provide a safe space for all to meet each week with activities and refreshments - £2,000

Community Grants are one of the Council’s key decisions and are subject to a five-day call-in period by Sevenoaks District Council Members.