News Archives - Fusion Maidstone

ByS. Maidens

The Community Table

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!

ByS. Maidens

The Bread and Butter Thing

The New Food Hubs

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.

ByS. Maidens

Safe & Warm Energy Advice

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.

ByS. Maidens

Park Wood Summer Fete

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!

On Saturday the 12^th July
at
Park Wood Recreational Ground!

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 having your own stall, please fill out this form
<click here for the form> and we will get in contact:

If you’re interested in doing a performance in the arena, please fill out this form <click here for the form> and we will get in contact.

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!

ByS. Maidens

Peter Panto Visits Park Wood!

Peter Pan-to Visits Park Wood!

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 7^th of December 2024.

The Matinee Performance will be at 2pm and the Evening Performance will start at 6pm.

Ticket Prices will be
£2 for the Matinee and
£4 for the Evening Performance.

The Evening performance incudes Dinner.

The Panto performances will be at:

The Holy Family Church Hall
Bicknor Road, Park Wood
Maidstone, ME15 9PS

Call 01622 691177 or pop into Fusion to book your tickets today!
Or to book your tickets online scan the QR code below
(or the one in the poster above)

BySue Maidens

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Monday 14th October 2024 at 6pm

Units 2&3 Cobb Way, Maidstone, Kent ME15 9XF

Everyone Welcome

Hear about our activities over the year
Light buffet and refreshments available

Please RSVP by 11th October to suemaidens@fusionhlc.org.uk

For more information please contact Sue on 01622 691177 or via email.

ByS. Maidens

Fusion Summer Lunch Programme

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!

ByS. Maidens

Volunteer Awards Ceremony 2024

On Friday 7^th 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.

BySue Maidens

Healthwatch Recognition Awards 2024

Fusion were Healthwatch Recognition Award winner in the Empowered Communities category for our work on the Hypertension Heroes project. On the evening of Wednesday 20^th March 2024 Fusion’s hypertension heroes and our CEO attended the glittering awards ceremony at The Ashford International Hotel hosted by Healthwatch and EK360. This was a truly magical evening and a real treat for everyone. For more information on the awards please visit https://www.heathwatchkent.co.uk.

What is the Hypertension Heroes Project?

Hypertension Heroes is an NHS initiative which allows members of the community to have their blood pressure taken by trained volunteers. They will also be taught how to take and manage this themselves in their own home. This alleviates the need to visit their GP surgery and also gives early warning signs of any conditions that may require medical intervention. In essence, this project is a prevention step which could prove lifesaving. If we look further afield, there is a cost saving to this NHS if health conditions are identified and treated early.

Hypertension Heroes is also empowering to the community as it educates them to take ownership of part of their health care. Delivered by fully trained volunteers and project coordinators, this is a true community initiative.

Fusion’s hypertension heroes deliver the project at our centre in Park Wood as well as outreach locations such as The Park Wood Larder and Morrisons on Sutton Road.

If you would like any further information on hypertension heroes, please contact 01622 691177 and speak to one of our friendly team or email enquires@fusionhlc.org.uk.

National Lottery Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund

BySue Maidens

A Warm & Hearty Park Wood Welcome this winter

In December 2023 Fusion successfully secured funding from the National Lottery Cost of Living Fund and launched our:

A Warm & Hearty Park Wood
Welcome this winter

project in early January 2024.

This project was developed in response to our 2023 client survey where 61% of the local people surveyed said they were concerned about the cost-of-living crisis, food and fuel poverty.

Based on figures collected from November 2022 to March 2023 demand for our different community services at Fusion is at its highest. As part of the project development, and to address the concerns highlighted in the survey results Fusion implemented a combination of existing services and introduced some exciting new initiatives.

This funding allowed us to:

Provide a total of 2880 nutritious takeaway meals for vulnerable local residents
Register Fusion as a Warm Welcome Space
Offer free tea/coffee, free Wi-Fi and free access to public computers
Run two additional Slow Cookery Courses
Increase delivery of our Family Therapeutic/IAG service
Recruit a part-time outreach worker to engage with target groups in the local community who are most likely to be struggling with the cost of living crisis
Open longer hours and open for some weekend so support could be accessed 7 days a week

A total of 23 volunteers assisted in the mobilisation of this project dedicating 612 hours of their time. We also recruited 2 session workers to assist with the preparation, cooking and distribution of the meals. Fusion also formed a partnership with Hungry Hearts for the Homeless providing meals for their clients on a weekly basis.

Feedback

“My allergies mean that I can’t get cheap ready-made allergen meals, so having this option has been really helpful. I can’t make things like mash due to my disabilities so having a meal made for me was really nice, and not having to worry about my allergies as well made this so good. My daughter has been off ill from school, so if I hadn’t had these meals I would have really struggled to afford to feed us both as she normally receives free school meals.”

“I’ll go back to having a sandwich or microwave meal instead. I think the meals have been brilliant, I would definitely take part again.”

“I am housebound and have poor mobility. The meals have been a great help to me and my husband as he is my main career. They have taken the pressure off us.”

“I don’t know what I would have done without it, I definitely wouldn’t have been having hot food. My wife is ill so I have to cook for myself. It’s been really good.”

“It’s really easy to access, I’ve been skipping meals or eating really unhealthy food before this.”

“I would have had to purchase extra food and spend more money. This has made a big difference for my children and not having to use gas when cooking. It’s been brilliant, really has helped my family and helped with the living cost. Thank you all so much.”

66% of participants are struggling with the cost of living crisis.

45% of participants had gone without a meal before the project.

Because of the project 84% have not gone without a meal.

Sue Maidens CEO of Fusion said “I am immensely proud of the Fusion team for the delivery and coordination of this project. To prepare, cook and serve 2880 meals to the community is just amazing. All the staff became involved at some level and to receive such positive feedback makes all the hard work even more worthwhile. Thank you to the National Lottery for making the delivery of this project to the Park Wood Community possible”.

National Lottery Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund

Byeditor

Park Wood Connects Project

Fusion have successfully secured three years of funding from the National Lottery Community Fund

The Park Wood Connects Project is a three year engagement and support initiative co-designed with the local community to support people struggling with the combined effects of the cost-of-living crisis, the mental health crisis, and high levels of social isolation/loneliness in one of the South East’s most deprived communities.

To address the growing numbers of vulnerable local residents we propose to do two things through the Park Wood Connects project:

Reach out better across the community to make more people aware that we and our partners are here to help
Make more services available locally by encouraging more people and organisations begin delivering support locally

As part of this funding we will have both job and volunteer opportunities available as well as new exciting projects.

Byeditor

Fusion

A Message from our Chairman

Covid-19 is all over

No it isn’t, it’s coming back in a new variant, and striking all ages.

If you are entitled to a booster jab, don’t be foolish and think you have had enough already, take it. Most surgeries are offering to give Flu and Covid-19 jabs at the same time. Check with your surgery, or on something like Patient Access for the details. Having the jab may not stop you having Covid-19, but it is likely that you will get a much milder attack.

DON’T TAKE A CHANCE WITH YOUR HEALTH

Don

BySue Maidens

Fusion

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Byeditor

Fusion

A Message from our Chairman

It is with great sadness that I have to advise you all that the KCC has confirmed that our Adult Social Care Grant of £29,000 will be reduced to £14,500
for the first 6 months of this year and then permanently cancelled.

This will obviously put enormous pressure on our budget, and it may well
be that we will have to discontinue some of the functions we hold.
Next year the pressure will be even more acute.

The situation could have been even worse if Clair Bell a Cabinet Member
and Gary Cooke our local KCC Member had not fought our corner.

This brings into focus just how much the local community must step up to the mark to help its local charities, or lose them.

Byeditor

Awarded 5 Star, Food Hygiene, Food Hygiene Rating, Fusion, Park Wood

Fusion Awarded 5 Star Food Hygiene Rating

Byeditor

Community, Defibrillator, Park Wood

Community Defibrillator in Park Wood

Byeditor

Fusion Review of 2022

This is an excerpt from the Fusion Review of 2022 booklet. The entire four page booklet can be downloaded in .PDF format by simply clicking on this link HERE.

To read a PDF file you will need a PDF reader. The software is free and can be downloaded here
(Adobe reader)

BySue Maidens

New Reception Desk at Fusion

No need to wander around Fusion looking for Reception. Its now right at the Front as you walk in the main doors. There you can find out about what is going on at Fusion today. Want WiFi? Get the Code from Reception.

BySue Maidens

Fusion move their Public Computers

The computers available for public use at Fusion have been moved! They have been relocated to a more private area and are no longer in the very public area of the Coffee Shop. It was decided that due to the modern requirement to use the Internet to do almost anything from buying shopping to claiming a benefit moving the computers to a more secluded part of Fusion was needed.

BySue Maidens

Fusion Win TWO Maidstone Compassionate Community Awards

On Tuesday the 1^st of November 2022 the Fusion team attended the Compassionate Community Award ceremony hosted by Maidstone Borough Council and Heart of Kent Hospice . A lovely evening was had by all!

Fusion would like to say a massive thank you to all that nominated us in the 2022 Compassionate Community Awards.

We are delighted to announce that Fusion won the Compassionate Workplace/Business award, which we are incredibly humbled by BUT our amazing, beautiful, fantastic Chloe Hubbard won the Compassionate Young Person award too! So, we’re double winners! See if you can spot Chloe in the photo above.

This means the world to us. Fusion isn’t just a workplace, it’s a family. We’re lucky enough to have a fantastic community to work with, so most days it doesn’t feel like work!

Congratulations to all the other winners – thoroughly well deserved.

Again, we just want to say a big thank you to everyone who nominated us

Sue Maidens CEO of Fusion accepts
the first award for
Compassionate Workplace/Business
from the Mayor of Maidstone,
Cllr Derek Mortimer.

Chloe Hubbard of Fusion Maidstone accepts
the second award for
Compassionate Young Person
from the Mayor of Maidstone,
Cllr Derek Mortimer.

Byadmin

NHS winter help

Byadmin

Every Mind Matters

Byadmin

The priority services register

This service is available free through your Gas and Electricity supplier and your local Water Company such as South East Water.

Check if you are eligible:

You are eligible if you:

Have reached your state pension age

Are disabled or have a long-term medical condition.
Are recovering from an injury.
Have a hearing or sight condition.
Have a mental health condition.
Are pregnant or have young children.

Have extra communication needs (such as you don’t speak or read English well).

You might still be able to register for other reasons if your situation isn’t listed. For example, if you need short-term support after a stay in hospital.

You can apply by contacting your energy supplier or water supplier either through their website or by phoning them. Care if you have a different supplier for gas and electricity you will have to contact them both. If you switch supplier you will need to register again.

During the past week, one of our Trustees had water delivered to his door and a phone call after an unscheduled power cut offering help if there were any problems.

Just Google “The Priority Services Register” if you want more information, but if not then sign up.

Byadmin

Free Lunch Friday

We are delighted to announce that from Friday 18th March 2022 we are introducing Free Lunch Friday! In partnership with MBC we are offering a 3 course set meal and a drink to those in our community who meet the criteria. If you or someone you know is in receipt of benefits such as universal credit, personal independence payments (PIP), job seekers allowance, employment support allowance or similar benefit, please contact us. Spaces are limited to 20 people per Friday lunchtime so booking is essential. Please call 01622 691177 and speak to one of our friendly team to book your space.

Byadmin

Cervical Screening Campaign

Byadmin

Mid Kent Mind Introduce ‘A Better You’ – FREE One-to-One Coaching Sessions

Mid Kent Mind are delighted to be offering our new Programme, known as ‘A Better You’, free-of-charge to people across Kent (excluding Medway).

‘A Better You’ aims to provide people with a personalized plan which will help them to progress forwards and overcome any barriers which may be negatively impacting on their wellbeing. Our wellbeing workers will work with participants on an individual level to empower them to take proactive steps forward – boosting both an individual’s confidence, and also their emotional resilience – so that they are better equipped to overcome any other challenges which they may face in the future.

A wide range of areas can be covered as a part of this programme. Every participant gets access to a schedule of six once-weekly sessions, and the participant has the freedom to determine what they would like to focus on in each session.

For more details on this programme, and how you can book a space, please visit our website.

Byadmin

Family therapeutics

Byadmin

Maidstone Leisure Centre 55+ Exercise Group

Byadmin

Maidstone Museuem actively involved group

Byadmin

Drop-In Youth Wellbeing Café

Did you know that Mid Kent Mind provide a safe, virtual drop-in space for young people between the ages of 9 and 18?

Our Youth Wellbeing Café takes place every week on a Tuesday, providing a drop-in session which young people can access between 4pm and 5pm. The Café aims to provide young people with a safe space where they can seek support from both our staff and their peers whilst also taking part in fun activities like quizzes, crafts and more.

There is no cost to attend our Wellbeing Café sessions – but notifying us that a young person may attend is useful in allowing us to prepare for additional numbers.

For more details, click here.

Category Archive News

The Community Table

The New Food Hubs

Safe & Warm Energy Advice

Park Wood Summer Fete

On Saturday the 12th JulyatPark Wood Recreational Ground!

Peter Pan-to Visits Park Wood!

Ticket Prices will be£2 for the Matinee and£4 for the Evening Performance.

Call 01622 691177 or pop into Fusion to book your tickets today!Or to book your tickets online scan the QR code below (or the one in the poster above)

Monday 14th October 2024 at 6pm

Everyone Welcome

What is the Hypertension Heroes Project?

A Warm & Hearty Park Wood Welcome this winter

Feedback

Covid-19 is all over

DON’T TAKE A CHANCE WITH YOUR HEALTH

On Saturday the 12^th July
at
Park Wood Recreational Ground!

Ticket Prices will be
£2 for the Matinee and
£4 for the Evening Performance.

Call 01622 691177 or pop into Fusion to book your tickets today!
Or to book your tickets online scan the QR code below
(or the one in the poster above)

A Warm & Hearty Park Wood
Welcome this winter