Catching Lives Latest News: February 2026

14 hours ago
4 min read

This is your February update from Catching Lives. Spring might be on its way, but it's been another cold and wet month for people who are homeless. This month, we supported 118 individuals at our day centre by providing, food, warmth and support.

We're at 96% of our Winter Appeal target. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated, helping to make sure we can keep our doors open every day to support people. Can you donate today to help us reach our target of £20,000?

Open Evening

Catching Lives is opening its doors for an evening on Wednesday 22nd April, for a chance to come and speak to staff and find out what we do here at the day centre to support people experiencing homelessness.

The open evening is an opportunity to see our facilities, with staff on hand to answer any questions, and discuss ways you can get involved.

Our doors will be open from 16:30 to 18:00 - you are welcome to drop-in at any time during this period.

Click here to book a place and let us know you are coming.

Rough sleeping snapshot

On 26 February, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published the Rough Sleeping Snapshot in England autumn 2025. District-wide data for Canterbury shows an estimate of 29 people sleeping rough on a single night between 1 October and 30 November. Nationally, there was an increase of 126 people or 3% to a new record high of 4793 people sleeping rough a single night. Read our full response here.

Finding calm in our new Tai Chi group

Clients taking part in Tai Chi class led by Barry

Thanks to funding from Sport England and a partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University Sports Centre, we’re offering regular physical activity sessions with clients to improve physical and mental wellbeing. We have a variety of exciting activities happening every week, including rock climbing and gym sessions at CCCU Sports Centre.

A recent addition to the programme is Tai Chi, which has already proven to be very popular among clients! The sessions are run at our day centre by Barry Phelan, a World Champion in martial arts from the Wu-gong Academy.

Tai Chi focuses on slow, flowing movements, controlled through breathing and mindfulness. For the people we support, many of whom experience high levels of stress and uncertainty, these sessions offer much more than physical activity. They provide a rare opportunity to pause, breathe and reconnect with their bodies in a safe and supportive space.

Barry's approach is inclusive and accessible, ensuring everyone can take part regardless of age, fitness level or prior experience. His calm and encouraging teaching style helps people feel at ease from the moment they walk in.

We are incredibly grateful to Sport England for supporting this project and we look forward to seeing the Tai Chi group continue to grow in the months ahead.

Join the Kent Charity Trek!

Fundraising Officer Georgia Jefferson at the Kent Charity Trek in 2025

If you've been thinking about signing up for the Kent Charity Trek, now is the perfect time to register! With the days getting warmer and longer, it's a great opportunity to get out and practice some longer walks in time for the big day on Saturday 16th May.

Taking part in the Trek is not only a great way to explore the Kentish countryside and challenge yourself physically, it's a fantastic opportunity to raise funds for a local charity like Catching Lives, ensuring we can keep supporting people 7 days a week.

To see the routes and timings, find out how to register, or to sponsor our hikers, visit the website here.

Save the date: Secret Postcard event

Save the date! Catching Lives is hosting a Secret Postcard event on Thursday 14th May, to raise money to support people who are homeless. We've asked lots of local artists and creatives to create a postcard that can be bought on the night. You won't know who created the card until you buy it!

The event will be hosted at BoConcept in Canterbury, and will be a chance to enjoy drinks and nibbles while buying unique pieces of art, all to support Catching Lives.

Keep an eye on our social media and our next newsletter for more information on how to book tickets for the event!

Thank you

Team Catching Lives says farewell to Rosie

This month we said goodbye and thank you to Rosie, our Volunteer Coordinator. We wish her all the best in her new role!

Thank you to Canterbury Cathedral, who chose us as their partner charity for their Christmas carol services, raising an incredible £6,106! Thanks to Canterbury Christ Church University who raised £350 for Catching Lives at Christmas. Thank you to Whitstable Park Run, Minster-in-Thanet WI, The Worthgate School, Crab & Winkle WI and EKSDC for fundraising and supporting us this month.

Thank you to everybody who has donated to our Winter Appeal or dropped donations off to the day centre this month. We really appreciate your support.