Kent Foundation News

Accounting Workshop raise £1500 for Kent Charity

by digitalbeans

Kent firm of accountants, Accounting Workshop, selected The Kent Foundation as their charity of the year for 2016.

Accounting Workshop LogoJulian Kirkness, Chairman of The Kent Foundation was delighted to accept a donation of £1,500 from the philanthropic team from Accounting Workshop, Ashford. The adventurous team, comprising Senior Partner, Lisa Brown and colleagues Georgina King and Lawry Vorster trekked 50 kilometres around the Peak District National Park. At their highest point, Kinder Scout, they reached over 2,000 feet in altitude. Lisa and Georgie met The Kent Foundation at a business seminar early this year, Lisa said:

Accounting Workshop raise money for Kent Charity “We immediately realised we had found the perfect charity for us. We like to support new businesses as much as we can and this charity helps young people to achieve their ambitions with practical, easy to access business advice and mentoring. We enjoyed the challenge and are so pleased we have been able to raise funds to help keep these vital services free”

Julian Kirkness, Chairman of The Kent Foundation said:

“We rely on Kent’s businesses to support our charity. Kent businesses, supporting potential new Kent businesses has obvious synergy and we are constantly interested to promote anyone who wants to get behind our fantastic cause. Thanks to Lisa and her team we are now able to further develop our business mentoring services around the County of Kent. Kent Foundation supports young people who are the future of the Kent economy.”

 

Accountants in Ashford Kent raise funds for Kent charity

Kent Foundation News

The Kent Foundation – Kent Charity Awards Finalist 2016

by digitalbeans

Kent Charity Awards 2016 Finalist…The Kent Foundation

On the 10th March we attended the Kent Charity Awards 2016 to see if we were a winner of Voluntary Charity of the Year. We did not win but came away as a Finalist. This in itself is a massive achievement considering the amount of entries. We are super proud to receive this award for the second year running. It serves as recognition for our work to support young people and not forgetting the crucial part here, the time our volunteers provide to our charity to make it all happen. Their time really is priceless to us – so thank you! It is always amazing to see so many good causes/people coming together in one place for this event. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists and keep up the great work!

IMAG0030Some of the charity finalists pose after the ceremony. The Kent Charity Awards finals 2016, from the Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. Picture: Andy PaytonVoluntary Charity of the Year finalists - Liam Behn for Kent Foundation. The Kent Charity Awards finals 2016, from the Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. Picture: Andy PaytonIMG_20160310_214220Kent Charity Awards 2016 Finalist The Kent FoundationKent-Charity-Awards-49

The Kent Foundation appoints New Chairman

by digitalbeans

New Chairman for Kent’s Leading Business Charity

The Kent Foundation, a Kent business support charity that helps young people starting out in business has a new Chairman. Elected at the Kent Foundation Board Meeting in January 2016, Julian Kirkness from Canterbury was delighted with his new role:

“Since discovering the Foundation in 2013 I have been keen to help drive it forwards in any way I can. I am honoured to become Chairman! AlthoughKent Business Support Charity Appoints Julian Kirkness as New Chairman Allan’s Chairmanship will be a very tough act to follow, I am confident that together with the team we have in place – both Trustees and Full Time Staff – we are in great shape to improve our service and continue to support and encourage young Kentish entrepreneurs. ”

Julian Kirkness is a successful businessman in the Digital Sector, specialising in software development. He has been a supporter of the Foundation since 2013 when he voluntarily attended an induction course to become a volunteer business mentor, he became Vice Chairman in 2015 and now actively mentors two Kent businesses.

The Kent Foundation recently celebrated 30 years of success in supporting young business people. With a flag-ship service that includes over 100 trained Volunteer Business Mentors it’s clear that the Foundation is an established and essential component for Kent’s Businesses. Equally, it is always looking to be relevant and contemporary, recently launching its own Kent Foundation Business Award as an accolade to successful young entrepreneurs of the County.

Retiring Chairman of 20 years, Allan Mowatt has left the Charity in good hand, in his final remarks Allan stated:
“I am convinced that we have a Board of all the necessary background and talents to carry on and develop further our work. I am also convinced that we have a Chairman in Julian who can lead that work forward.”

Free Business advice and support for Kent's young people

Kent Foundation News

Edenbridge Enterprise Initiative has Launched

by digitalbeans
Edenbridge Enterprise Initiative Employment and Self Employment Training for Young People

Click Here for Training Dates

The Edenbridge Enterprise Initiative programme will provide you with enhanced skills, knowledge, confidence and self esteem in order to become gainfully employed or start your own business. The three week programme starting 30th April consists of interactive and practical workshops. We will equip you with practical skills to be used in finding employment or starting a business. If you want to attend any of the sessions get in touch by booking below. Just meet one of the criteria below to apply:

    • Aged 16-25
    • Not in employment
    • Not in training
    • Not In Education
    • Looking to build your career prospects
    • Looking to start a business

CLICK TO BOOK YOUR PLACE!

Ongoing Support:

Target Your Potential is offering a superb chance to get ‘one of a kind’ work experience. Through the Edenbridge Enterprise Initiative they will connect you with a work experience opportunity at a local employer giving you the chance to put the skills you have learnt into practice. Fear not though you will not be alone, they will still be there to support you every step of the way, if you have a question…just ask! Once work experience is completed continued personal support will be offered to help you create bite-sized steps in achieving your career goals.

IMG_2539Kent Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs is offering support to help you create your own employment and start a business. They will meet with you on a 1-2-1 basis to find out more about you, your business ideas and your vision for the future providing you with some all important information, advice and guidance. It doesn’t stop there…we have a strong network of trained Business Mentors with whom you can be matched with and meet once a month to help you keep on track of your business goals.

Venues:

House, The Eden Centre, Four Elms Way, Edenbridge, TN8 6BY

Business Innovation Zone, Unit One, Norton House, Fircroft Way, Edenbridge TN8 6EL

Big Lottery Fund Awards for AllTarget Your Potential - Youth Employment Services

Kent Foundation News

Kent Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs a proud Finalist at Kent Charity Awards

by digitalbeans

Kent Charity Awards Finalist:

Community Charity of the Year Award

We are pleased to announce that we were crowned a Finalist in the first ever Kent Charity Awards. The awards received almost 160 entries, so we were mightily pleased to be one of the final three to be short-listed in the Community Category.

Kent Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs Finalist Kent Charity AwardsKent Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs Finalist Kent Charity AwardsKCA14_15_FinalistKent Charity Awards

Kent Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs Finalist Kent Charity Awards

About us and our work:

The Kent Foundation is a business support charity that is dedicated to promoting, encouraging and supporting business start-up and growth amongst Kent’s young people.  We actively engage with all your people who seek business support and specifically target young people in the area of Kent with the highest levels of youth unemployment.

All of our business support services are provided free of charge to Kent’s young people. We are privileged that the business community of Kent is so willing to invest their time in to the future development of Kent’s young business people through volunteering, networking and sponsoring. In the past 4 years we have gained the support of over 100 Volunteers who have completed our training to become Business Mentors.

Support us:

To donate, just click below, and don’t forget to include Gift-Aid, it gives us that little bit extra 😉
Donate Now Button

To sponsor us head over to our Contact Us page to send us a message

To become a Volunteer Business Mentor, check this out…

Kent Foundation News

Kent Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs shortlisted as a finalist in the Kent Charity Awards

by digitalbeans

Kent Charity Awards FinalistWe are excited to announce that we have been shortlisted in the first ever Kent Charity Awards. You’ll find us in the ‘Community Charity Award Category‘ plus there’s a chance for us to win overall charity of the year. Keep your fingers and toes crossed for us.

What are the Kent Charity Awards?

The aim of these awards is to showcase the hard work and perseverance that charities and voluntary groups undertake to make the lives of others better. There are currently no similar awards in Kent and these awards will be unique and become an important date in the third sector diaries. The awards will be open to both small and large charities whether a branch of a national charity, a small community based charity or a voluntary group.

When do you find out if we have won?

We will be attending a gala evening on Thursday 19 March at The Corn Exchange in Rochester, hosted by BBC South East TV’s Rob Smith.  There are six categories this year; Heritage and Environment Award, Care Sector Award, Animal Charity Award, Voluntary Award, Community Charity Award and Children’s Charity Award. There will be one winner from each category and then an overall Charity of the Year winner. We will be sure to keep you in the loop of how we get on via our newsletters but if you really can’t wait all the latest news will be on our social media channels Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin