'Community in Focus' Photo Competition Winners Revealed!

Kent Community Foundation is delighted to announce the winners of our Community in Focus photography competition, created to celebrate the Foundation’s upcoming 25th anniversary in 2026 and shine a light on the remarkable community spirit across Kent and Medway.

The competition invited charities, voluntary groups and Community Interest Companies across Kent and Medway to submit images that capture the true meaning of “community.” The response exceeded expectations, with 179 entries submitted by 93 organisations each offering a powerful insight into the people and stories at the heart of the county’s charitable sector.

A panel of four judges including legendary royal photographer Arthur Edwards MBE, Kent-based professional photographer Graham Baker, Tim McHugo, from Warners Solicitors and Catherine Glover, Chief Executive, Kent Community Foundation reviewed the photographs, using a points system to determine an overall winner and two runners-up. 

Their combined expertise brought a blend of technical insight, storytelling appreciation, and understanding of community impact.

The judges have selected a winning photograph and two runners-up that powerfully capture the essence of community, authenticity, compassion, and connection.

FASD Awareness has been named the overall winner. FASD Awareness will receive a professional photography session worth £400 to support their organisation’s work and a £200 donation. Their photograph will also be featured on the new Kent Community Foundation website and used across promotional materials to mark the Foundation’s 25th anniversary.

"We are delighted at FASD Awareness to have won this photographic competition, as this image beautifully captures the joy and connection at the heart of our Family Activity Days out at Leeds Castle. Our Family Activity Days at Leeds Castle are always a valued and memorable experience for the families we support, and this winning photo reflects the laughter, resilience, and togetherness we see every time we visit." Andrew Keeping, CEO of FASD Awareness

Celebration Church and PROJEKT EUROPA have been chosen as runners-up, each receiving a £200 donation, and recognition across the Foundation’s online and print materials.

“We are delighted to be chosen as we feel that our photo really does represent our community. The two youngsters in the photo were both attendees at our Celebrate Kids activities when they were in primary school, and didn't want to leave! We were so pleased to create a 'junior leader' role just for them, so that they could pay it forward for the next children to benefit from the activities. Our young people really are passionate about belonging as part of the community family while they grow up, and helping the next generation in return. This donation will be put directly towards our Celebrate Kids activities; supporting more young people on our doorstep to access positive, safe spaces.” Lydia Olliver, Celebration Church

 “We are absolutely delighted to be named runner-up in the Kent Community Foundation photo competition. PROJEKT ENCOUNTER exists to celebrate the creativity, resilience, and community spirit of people with lived experience of migration, and this recognition truly moves us. The £200 donation will directly support our workshops in Canterbury, helping us continue to build spaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and connected.” Anna Oggero, PROJEKT EUROPA

These donations have been generously supported by Warners Solicitors, whose long-standing commitment to local communities makes them a fitting sponsor for this anniversary initiative.

A word from the judges

“The response to this competition has been extraordinary. Every photo told a story of kindness, resilience, and the power of people coming together. As we celebrate our upcoming 25th anniversary in 2026, these images reflect exactly why our work matters. We’re grateful to every organisation that shared their community with us, and we look forward to showcasing the shortlisted photographs at our anniversary event next year.” Catherine Glover, Chief Executive of Kent Community Foundation.

"All of the submissions had their community story at heart, making choosing a winner incredibly tough. So while we have an overall winner for the competition, they all showed spirit and purpose for the communities they support. With that in mind, they are all winners in the eyes of the people they support." Graham Baker, local photographer

“It was a genuine privilege to be part of the judging panel and to see the remarkable stories captured through these images. The quality of the entries was exceptional, making it incredibly difficult to select just three. A picture may say a thousand words, but the heartfelt stories behind each photograph made them all shine. We were thrilled to support this fantastic project and help spotlight the invaluable work of local organisations.” Tim McHugo, Warners Solicitors

Looking ahead to our 25th anniversary

The announcement of the winners coincides with the lead-up to our significant 25th anniversary next year. The winner and runners-up and a shortlist of 25 photographs will be a central feature of the anniversary celebrations, being showcased at a special event.

The photos will serve as a visual testament to the diversity and resilience of the local charities and community groups that we have proudly supported for a quarter of a century.