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Crisis and resilience support available in Swale

Published

Thursday 20 August, 2026

Updated

Thursday 20 August, 2026

People in Swale facing financial crisis can receive crucial support and advice from local charities and community groups thanks to grants from Swale Borough Council.

Twenty-one projects have received a total of £374,759, funded by the government’s new Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), to help people through financial crisis while also building future resilience.

These new projects, funded through four grant schemes, are designed to help people with short-term emergencies while providing them with the support, advice, and skills they need to navigate future financial shocks.

The food and wrap-around support projects provide immediate financial support but also helps reduce reliance on emergency aid, including emergency food, free cooking sessions, community pantries, and a mobile social supermarket.

The advice service projects provide tailored advice, early intervention and prevention, and include specialist support for people affected by the sex industry or domestic abuse, a water and fuel advisory service to save money on your bills, and drop-in sessions for autistic young people and their families.

The One Swale network projects provide advice on money, wellbeing, and jobs all in one place, including a new digital “one front door” to support, services, activities and opportunities across Swale.

The skills and employment network projects help connect you with training and job opportunities, including maths and English qualifications for young people not in education, training or employment.

Find out more about each of the projects and how to get support by visiting the council’s crisis and resilience fund webpages.

Cllr Hannah Perkin, chair of the council’s housing, health and communities committee, said:

“We understand how important immediate support is for people facing a crisis, and thanks to the new Financial Crisis and Resilience Fund we are still able to support our residents in their moment of need.

“But we also need to create a more holistic approach to support that not only provides a crucial safety net for people but also provides the support and advice needed to find steadier financial footing, helping people cope with future financial shocks.

“The advice services will offer early intervention and help prevent financial crisis in the first place, while the wraparound projects will provide the support they need to get through one, and learn how to better deal with them in the future.

“The One Swale network will provide one easy to access place for this invaluable support, while the skills and employment network will help people find employment.

“If you, or someone you know, are struggling with the cost of living or facing a financial crisis please visit our crisis and resilience webpages and access the support our amazing charities and non-profits are offering.”

The full list of projects include:

Food and wraparound support projects provide immediate financial support that helps reduce reliance on emergency aid:

  • Sheppey Food for Independence, Age UK - free three-week meal support programme for Isle of Sheppey residents aged 50+, to find out more call 01795 662562
  • Community Resilience Hub, Diversity House - free support for Swale residents aged 18+ facing financial hardship; emergency food support, digital skills and employment

Advice services provide tailored advice, early intervention and prevention:

  • Money and Mental Wellbeing Courses, Mid Kent Mind, practical support for people experiencing financial hardship and mental health challenges
  • Streetlight UK Advice Services, Streetlight UK, specialist support for women affected by the sex industry, sexual violence, exploitation or trafficking, contact 079 4907 4800 or email: info@streetlight.uk.com
  • SATEDA Advice Services, SATEDA, free, confidential support for women aged 18+ experiencing or recovering from domestic abuse, visit www.sateda.org or call 01795 417251

One Swale Network offers advice on money, wellbeing, and jobs all in one place:

  • Digital One Swale Network, Swale CVS, a coordinated digital “one front door” to support, services, activities and opportunities across Swale

Skills and employment network - connecting you with training and job opportunities:

  • Community Resilience Hub, Faversham Umbrella, accredited training and skills development opportunities to improve confidence, employability and community participation

The council is using the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) to further support residents by funding:

Short-term housing payments

The council is using the CRF to support local people receiving benefits who are struggling to find or stay in accommodation.

The short-term housing payments help people in exceptional circumstances cover the difference between their benefits and the cost of affordable housing.

The payments are designed to give low-income households time to access the advice and support needed to change their circumstances, helping them stay in their current home or find other affordable accommodation.

The Swale CVS Loneliness Project

The CRF has funded the Swale CVS Loneliness Project which aims to reduce loneliness and social isolation across Swale by helping residents find local activities, support services and opportunities to connect with others.

The project has helped local volunteers become community champions, helping connect residents with activities, services and support in their area. Community Champions receive training, resources and ongoing support to help make a difference in their communities.

While the young community champions programme helps young people build confidence, develop leadership skills and encourage community participation among their peers.

If you would like to find local activities, support your community, or become a Community Champion, you can see What's On, visit the website www.swalecvs.org.uk or email office@Swalecvs.co.uk for more information.

One Swale Roadshows

The CRF also supports the council’s One Swale Roadshows that take place across the borough each month.

These events bring charities and other organisations together under one roof, where they are ready and waiting to offer help and support to the people of Swale.

The next event is on 27 August at the Seashells Sheerness Children & Families Centre, Rose St, Sheerness ME12 1AW.

These events have been made possible thanks to the hard work of the Swale CVS who helped the council organise the roadshows, and funding from the UK Government.