Community Catalysts
14th July 2022
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Community micro- enterprise project in Kent
Community Catalysts
Community Catalysts is a social enterprise working across the UK to try to make sure that people who need care and support to live their lives can get help in ways, times and places that suit them, with real choice of attractive local options. We help local people use their energies and talents to deliver sustainable community enterprises that can support other local people, creating jobs and volunteering opportunities.
Community micro-enterprise Project in Kent
This is a new and exciting project delivered in partnership with Kent County Council. The 2 year project aims to stimulate the development and growth of community micro-enterprises that provide a wide range of help and support for older and disabled people at home and in the community.
Community micro-enterprise
People with talents, passion and local knowledge run community micro-enterprises. They all aim to make a difference to the lives of local people. Our project has a focus on enterprises that support older and disabled people who need some care or help to live a good life. Community micro- enterprises:
- have 8 or fewer full-time staff or volunteers
- are independent of any larger organisation.
- are set up in many different and creative ways such as: sole trader, partnership, small business, social enterprise, charity or voluntary organisation.
Support from the Community micro-enterprise Project
Community Catalysts has a huge amount of experience helping local people establish community enterprises. We run a development programme which can:
- offer a friendly and supportive point of contact to explore ideas
- support people to develop a community micro-enterprise
- give practical information on regulation, training and opportunities in the health and social care sector
- direct to other organisations who can help
Community Catalysts and Kent
We are very excited to be working with Community Catalysts as part of our ‘Making a difference every day’ approach in Kent.
Along with people we support, our staff and partner organisations, we want to develop new and innovative ways that help people in Kent to lead a full life – living in the places they call home and within their communities as long as possible, with greater choice about how, where and when they receive care and support.
The way we work will enable us to really understand what people want and need to remain independent. Our social work teams and Community Catalysts are working together to share this essential information so that our residents can directly shape the care and support services available to them in their communities. We also see this as an exciting opportunity to grow the social care workforce and increase economic activity and resilience across Kent.
Our aim is to build on conversations with our community leaders and organisations, identify shared opportunities and develop communities that are resilient and well-placed to support the people living in them.
Helen Gillivan Senior Accountable Officer Making a Difference every day Adult Social Care
What might this mean for local people?
Community Catalysts can support people who are currently running a community micro-enterprise that helps older and disabled people. We can also help people who are interested in starting a new enterprise.
We would also like to connect with people, organisations, businesses or groups across Kent who have an interest in building stronger communities.
Get in touch
The following people are employed by Community Catalysts to coordinate this project and to run the development programme. Please contact them for more information.
Ashford and Canterbury
Amy Harris
Email: amy.harris@communitycatalysts.co.uk
Mobile: 07435 942 884
North Kent – Dartford Gravesham Swanley Swale DGSS
Lauren Thompson
Email: lauren.thompson@communitycatalysts.co.uk
Mobile: 07435 943 661
South Kent Coast and Thanet
Katy Overhead
Email: katy.overhead@communitycatalysts.co.uk
Mobile: 07435 943 952
West Kent
Nicole Monahan
Email: nicole.monahan@communitycatalysts.co.uk
Mobile: 07435 943 745