Friends of Holcot
Support for families
Support for disadvantaged families who often struggle day-to-day
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Though many think of Kent as a wealthy county, there are many pockets of deprivation even within the more affluent districts, such as Sevenoaks.
One organisation seeking to support families who often struggle day-to-day is Friends of Holcot. With difficult and expensive transport links to and from the area, coupled with challenging personal circumstances, even a day out for some of these families is an impossibility. Friend of Holcot sought funding of £11,600 to provide families with some much-needed time together, giving them space to have fun, reconnect with one another and recharge away from daily pressures.
Several families chosen to enjoy a break away thanks to funding received include children who are disabled and / or have additional needs, while others are subject to residential care orders, have experienced bereavement or are being raised by a single parent with mental health issues. The benefits to their special needs volunteers were an added bonus.
Danny has extra needs, his mother Kylie said, “He spent the week dancing like no-one was watching.”
A single mum with four children took her mother for extra support after she struggles with day-to-day living following the loss of two children to cot death. She said, “in the words of my 6-year-old ‘mummy this is not Butlins, this is paradise’.”
