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Kent Community Foundation has awarded £89,000 of funding to grassroots groups supporting women and girls in Kent and Medway from the Tampon Tax Community Fund. 

This is the second time Kent Community Foundation has awarded funding from the Tampon Tax Community Fund to local groups supporting women and girls experiencing issues such as period poverty, domestic and sexual abuse and poor mental health.

Natalie Smith, Director of Grants & Impact at Kent Community Foundation, said, “This funding supports the groups on the ground that are making a huge difference to the lives of women and girls. We know there is enormous demand for these services and are proud to help small organisations working in our community to access vital public funding, which they may otherwise miss out on.”

One of the projects being funded by Kent Community Foundation from the Tampon Tax Community Fund include Ashford Vineyard Church.

Ashford Vineyard Church runs The Beehive a second-hand women's clothing boutique stocked with high quality donations run by volunteers who are given work experience and training to help them find paid employment. The Beehive is also open to women who can’t afford clothing who have been referred by local services to receive items free of charge. Since January 2019 they have given away almost £3500 worth of clothing to women in the community.

The grant of £9,500 will be used to pay for a member of staff to support the volunteer programme which provides key skills-based training to help Beehive volunteers secure future employment.

Talking about the need for funding for groups who support women, Natalie continued, “Kent Community Foundation received Tampon Tax applications amounting to almost £300,000 and with only £89,000 to share between these good causes we knew we needed to do more to help vulnerable women in Kent. In response to this funding gap, we have launched a new Women’s Fund for Kent and Medway. Individuals can make a difference and help improve the lives of women and girls across the county by donating to this fund which tackles inequality, abuse, exploitation and disadvantage in the home, the workplace and wider local communities.”

Individuals can donate to Kent Community Foundation’s Women’s Fund for Kent and Medway at www.kentcf.org.uk/give/womens-fund 

Image from The Beehive run by Ashford Vineyard Church. The Beehive offers work experience and training, as well as giving free clothes to women in need. 

MASSIVE 'thank you ' to everyone at Kent Community Foundation. Your funding support is HUGELY appreciated and has enabled us to get into the heart of local communities with REAL, affordable, healthy and tasty food that does so much more than feed people.

Community chef Mike Spackman, Sheppey Matters

KCF's enthusiasm for what we are doing and hoping to do, coupled with helpful advice, gave us the confidence to take this daunting step which has paid off.

Liz Turner, Octopus Foundation

It's great having a foundation that empowers organisations and charities in our community to make real positive differences and changes!

Tom, MMK Mind