New health, wellbeing and cost of living projects
Published
Thursday 18 June, 2026
Updated
Thursday 18 June, 2026
£30,000 is being invested in Swale to help six local charities deliver new projects that will boost health, support mental wellbeing, and help residents navigate the cost of living.
The Swale Cost of Living Group, a partnership between Swale Borough Council, voluntary organisations and Kent County Council, has awarded grants of £5,000 each through the Health Innovation Fund.
The money, provided by Kent County Council Public Health, empowers community partners to offer direct, practical support right where it is needed most.
The six projects receiving funding are:
- The Autism Apprentice CIC - delivering new therapeutic play sessions for autistic children. Trained therapists will help children build confidence and develop coping strategies in a safe space. Parents and carers will also get one-to-one advice calls to manage stress and cost of living challenges.
- Abbey Physic Community Garden - running a health and wellbeing gardening programme in Faversham. Residents will learn to grow their own food, cut household costs, and join mindful cooking and gardening courses to reduce isolation and improve physical health.
- Children & Families - hosting a budget cooking course to teach residents how to prepare simple, nutritious meals for as little as £1 per person. The sessions will cover basic food preparation, smart shopping, and reducing waste.
- Friendly Faces of Kent - launching a community wellbeing programme to tackle loneliness. The charity will run walking groups and relaxation sessions to improve mental health and help isolated residents connect with others.
- Imago - supporting residents over 55 with one-to-one financial advice, debt support, and form-filling help. The project will also provide food and fuel vouchers for immediate relief, alongside health checks for housebound older people.
- Sateda - opening an Economic Abuse Clinic to help women recovering from domestic abuse rebuild their financial independence and improve their mental wellbeing.
Residents will be able to access these new services later this year as the charities get their projects up and running.
Cllr Hannah Perkin, chair of Swale Borough Council’s housing, health and communities committee, said:
“We wanted this fund to provide the financial boost that amazing local charities need to launch new projects that will benefit local people in a meaningful way.
“The projects we are funding address the everyday challenges that add up to affect a person’s health. This includes helping people overcome the pressure of the cost of living crisis, tackling loneliness, and promoting better physical and mental health.
“It is brilliant to see the wide range of people this funding will support, including autistic children, older adults, people struggling financially, and domestic abuse survivors.
“The charities will now work to develop and deliver these impactful projects, and we can’t wait to see them up and running and making a difference in Swale.”
