Units 2&3 Cobb Way, Maidstone, Kent ME15 9XF
Please RSVP by 17th October to suemaidens@fusionhlc.org.uk
For more information please contact Sue on 01622 691177 or via email.
Looking for the perfect way to spend a sunny day with the whole family? We’ve got you covered! Come down to the 2025 Park Wood Summer Fete!
We’ve already got lots of stalls booked in, from an Ice Cream Van to Creepy Claws to a BBQ! We’ve got fun for all the family!
Whether you’re chasing little ones or just chasing a good time, this is one summer event you won’t want to miss. Bring the kids, bring the grandparents — there’s something for everyone!
A Huge THANK YOU to
Our Amazing Volunteers!
We couldn’t do it without you!
To every single volunteer who gives their time, energy, and heart; thank you! Your dedication makes all the difference and helps create the magic behind everything we do, from planning to packing up.
This year, we were so proud to have our Volunteer Awards to celebrate just how special our team is! Whether you gave an hour or a whole day, you’ve helped create something wonderful for our community.
If you’d like to join our volunteer team in the future, we’d love to have you — just drop in or give us a call on 01622 691177
The category nominees and winners were as follows:
Looking for the perfect way to spend a sunny day with the whole family? We’ve got you covered! We’re bringing back the Park Wood Summer Fete!
We’ve already got lots of stalls booked in, from an Ice Cream Van to Creepy Claws to a BBQ! We’ve got fun for all the family!
If you’re interested in Showing your dog scan the QR Code above to register.
Whether you’re chasing little ones or just chasing a good time, this is one summer event you won’t want to miss. Bring the kids, bring the grandparents — there’s something for everyone!
We’re launching a new project, Community Table – a menu for change, off the back of the success of Free Food Friday!
At Fusion, every Friday at 12pm; 30 FREE MEALS up for grabs; no catch, just kindness.
20 spots if you wanna sit, relax, and eat in. 10 takeaway options for a meal on the go.
Whether you need a warm plate or just want to feel part of something good, we’ve got you covered.
You must book onto this project.
We currently have two groups of thirty who will access the project every other week. Every 3 months we will revisit the participant lists and those who have not accessed the project for 3 weeks will be taken off to make space for new participants; however they will go back onto the waiting list.
The take away option has requirements, you must live in Park Wood and be housebound, or have a lack of mobility or access to transport.
Delivery of the takeaway is between 12pm and 1pm, so you must be available at this time.
If you would like more information about this project or would like to book on please call
01622 691177 or pop into the office today!
Fusion are pleased to announce that we are the community partner of TBBT (The Bread and Butter Thing) food hub in Park Wood and Shepway.
Registration with TBBT for the new food hubs is now open. The food hub will be in Park Wood on a Wednesday, Shepway on a Thursday and Trinity on a Tuesday. If you require assistance registering for this service please call in to Fusion and one of the team will be happy to assist.
We are in urgent need of volunteers to help sort, pack, and distribute food to people in need. With so many in our community relying on us, we can’t do it without you! Whether you can spare an hour or a whole day, every bit of help makes a huge difference. Bring a friend and let’s work together to fight hunger!
Do you have a few spare hours on either a Wednesday or Thursday to volunteer for this exciting new initiative. If so please contact Sue Maidens on 01622 691177 or email suemaidens@fusionhlc.org.uk for more information and next steps.
If you would like to book an advice session with Jason to get help with fuel bills, hardship grants and fuel vouchers then just scan the QR code and book a session with Jason or if you prefer doing things the traditional way, just call us on 01622 691177 and we can book you in to see Jason.
His diary’s getting busy, so don’t hesitate.
This Years Panto at Fusion is Peter Pan-to Visits Park Wood!
Because it was such a success last year, this year there will be two performances, both will be on Saturday the 7th of December 2024.
The Matinee Performance will be at 2pm and the Evening Performance will start at 6pm.
The Evening performance incudes Dinner.
The Panto performances will be at:
The Holy Family Church Hall
Bicknor Road, Park Wood
Maidstone, ME15 9PS
Thanks to Maidstone Borough Council’s funding our Summer Lunch Programme was able to provide 550 free lunches through the summer holidays!
Each weekday Fusion provided children who usually receive free school meals a lunch to take away, and on Friday’s we provided the whole family with a takeaway meal. The project was an amazing success!
We got some amazing feedback, but if you wanted to leave a comment about the project please do!
On Friday 7th June 2024, as volunteer week came to an end, Fusion hosted our annual Volunteer Awards Ceremony. This was a truly magical evening. Fusion appreciate and value each and every one of our volunteers and the awards ceremony is just a small token of our appreciation. The awards were presented nu Tad Taberer the chair of Fusion’s trustee board and Sue Maidens Fusion’s CEO.
The category nominees and winners were as follows:
Behind the Scenes Whizz (Kitchen)
Nominees:
Freya, Jason, Harry, Alecia, Mia, Rick, Stephen, Isaac and Jack
Winner:
Freya – Freya is an absolute star at Fusion. She has amazing initiative and confidence in the workings of a kitchen and coffee shop setting and can be given any task and do it well. Freya has a great attitude to working and learning. Freya joined the Fusion team in 2023.
Best Newcomer
Nominees:
Paula, Richard, Toby, Sarah and Dudley
Winner:
Richard – Richard is Fusion’s newest trustee, but he has been volunteering with us for some time via his association with the Maidstone Riverside Rotary and their outstanding work at the Park Wood Allotments project. Richard joined the board of trustees as he fully appreciates the work Fusion does in the community and the efforts the team makes to improving the lives of people in and around Park Wood. Richard always offers a helping hand and volunteers at many fundraising events.
Community Star
Nominees:
Gloria, Bess, Kathleen, Val, Ruth and Trish
Winner:
Trish – Trish’s hard work with hypertension heroes has meant that she is constantly working with the community, offering information, support and guidance. Trish’s presence on reception on a Friday at Fusion is always welcoming, kind and supportive.
Fundraising Champions
Nominees:
Mick, Liam C, Jeremy, Ina, Andy, Wendy Y and Lisa
Winners:
Jeremy & Ina – Since Fusion brought back fundraising events, Jeremy has been at every one, always offering a helping hand with a smile! Jeremy is also a Fusion driver who can always be relied on to deliver an off-site buffet. On more than one occasion Jeremy has stepped up at very short notice to run the coffee shop or cook the meal for Free Food Friday.
Ina – Ina is another volunteer that has been at every one of the fundraising events, always offering her support with enthusiasm. Ina also covers our reception on a Tuesday and Thursday morning as well as being a hypertension hero and a true ambassador for Fusion.
Long Service Award
Nominees:
Patricia, Scott, Venetia, Jenny, Gary and Angela H
Winner:
Venetia – Venetia is a hugely supportive volunteer who has been with us for a very long time, her loyalty and enthusiasm for Fusion is contagious. Venetia is a lead volunteer at our Chat & Natter table, our Knit & Knatter group, at Golden Friends and at both of our Chair Exercise groups.
Outstanding Service Award
Nominees:
Angela H, Ekene, Mike and Geoff
Winner:
Geoff – Well Geoff is an absolute hero in Fusion’s eyes, fixing toilets at the drop of a hat in his role as volunteer handyman! His incredible work with hypertension heroes has been an unmistakable asset to Fusion.
Professional Progress Award
Nominees:
Shabnam, Tabitha, Evie and Lasya
Winner:
Evie – Evie has been with Fusion for over a year now and her professional skills have blossomed, she is an essential part of the admin team.
Real Life Super Hero
Nominees:
Maidstone Riverside Rotary, Graham, Liam M, Angela B and Catherine
Winner:
Liam – Well what can we say about Liam, his tireless hard work (mostly lifting things that Chloe cannot) always means that every event goes off without a hitch!
Special Achievement Award
Nominees:
Mel, Susanna, Sam, Joe and Tad
Winner:
Mel – Mel is such an incredibly supportive human with such a kind nature, her untiring efforts have been an asset to Fusion.
Supporter of Others
Nominees:
Wendy W, Mervyn, Katy, Gay, Louise and Dan
Winner:
Gay – Gay is always offering a helping hand, either to Fusion or others. Without fail she will offer her support to anyone in need! Gay is a lead volunteer for our Young Person Cooking Programme, a support volunteer for Slow Cookery and Golden Friends as well as being a hypertension hero.
A volunteer celebration even would not be complete without a thank you to our board of trustees who volunteer their time to support the charity. We would therefore like to make a special mention and thank Tad, Gary, Angela, Dan, Richard, Wendy, Lisa and Louise for their hard work and dedication to Fusion.
We would also like to make a special mention to the students of Cornwallis Academy and New Line Learning Academy who, under the supervision of head chef Lee, prepared, cooked and server an outstanding three course meal for all our volunteers. These students have all taken part in Fusion’s Young Person Cooking Programme and were very keen to be involved with the Volunteer Awards Ceremony. A huge thank you to each and every one of you for volunteering your time on Friday what an achievement!
If you would like to know more about the volunteering opportunities available at Fusion please call 01622 691177 and speak to one of our friendly team, call into the centre or email enquiries@fusionhlc.org.uk.
We are a healthy living centre offering various health and wellbeing services and social support for Park Wood and across Maidstone. We also run various activities and events for all ages throughout the year, especially around national holidays and celebratory days.
Our centre also includes computers for public use and free WiFi; printing, photocopying and scanning facilities; and room hire for meetings
Everyone is welcome!
Fusion Maidstone HLC
2 & 3 Cobb Way, Off Livingstone Walk, Park Wood, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 9XF
Tel: 01622 691177
Email: enquiries@fusionhlc.org.uk
