You may have heard about Whitstable Umbrella Centre, they received one of our Investing in Spaces and Places grants for £21,555, via Asda Canterbury. Their goal was to raise £28,740 to carry out essential repair works to the buildings’ exterior.

The Whitstable Umbrella Centre is much more than just bricks and mortar, but without a safe and secure building they cannot continue to provide essential groups and services for the community.

The group aim for people in the community to:

·       Feel less isolated and more connected to others.

·       Be supported when they need it most.

·       Experience improved physical health, emotional stability, mental health and wellbeing.

·       Be empowered to help themselves, by signposting to relevant information and services.

Having a safe accessible building ensures the centre can continue to provide a range of high-quality and inclusive activities. They listen to community needs, offering projects and services for the Whitstable community, in response to these needs. Many of the groups and activities are free or low cost.

The Centre provides a space for the community to meet, access information and support, attend groups and activities, and gather for social events.

Asda Foundation’s funding has allowed the group to replace the old cast iron guttering and downpipes with new modern guttering, replace the fascia with UPVC. Funding was also used for repairing windowsills and carrying out essential painting and decoration works on the exterior of the building including the joist ends, windowsills and timber fascia at each end of the building.

These works are essential in maintaining the centre as a dry, safe place for the community and will ensure they are able to support Whitstable, and the surrounding areas, for years to come.