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Catching Lives Latest News: July 2024


New group of Board members at Catching Lives

Catching Lives appoints four new Trustees


This is your July update from Catching Lives. We are delighted to welcome four new Trustees: Gülen Petty, Fran Ellis, Natalie Archer and Bernie Mayall to the Board. Gülen is Chief Executive of Lewisham Local, Fran is Chief Executive of Rising Sun Domestic Violence & Abuse Service, Bernie is a Charity Consultant, serial CEO, Chair, NED and Governor and Natalie is Funding and Project Manager at RSPCA Canterbury & District Branch.


Tasmin Maitland, Chief Executive of Catching Lives said: “Gülen, Fran, Natalie and Bernie bring an incredible wealth of experience to the Catching Lives Board. I welcome our new Trustees and look forward to working together.”


Read more from Gülen, Fran, Natalie and Bernie and why they’ve chosen to give their time to Catching Lives.



Skills and Employability Grant workshops begin

Different workshops going on

A series of workshops, made possible by a Skills and Employability Grant, have begun this month. The creative workshops, part of the Streets Ahead Collective project, have been designed to boost people’s confidence and wellbeing as well as develop skills that might lead to future community engagement or employment.


The first of our workshops was delivered by Seb Tribe from Terrapy. Participants learnt about and made terrariums, one for them to keep and the other for Catching Lives to sell to raise money to continue the creative workshops.

Miriam Ellis, Arts and Activities Co-ordinator at Catching Lives, said: “A brilliant day was had by everyone and we look forward to the next one.”


The second workshop – printmaking was run by Liz Wellstead at Rock Paper Scissors. Seb will run another workshop in August and artist and print designer Liz, artist and printmaker Lucy Stockwell and decoupage and mural artist Kylie Hodge will also run two workshops each.


Thank you to Rock Paper Scissors for hosting the workshops and Liz Wellstead for her support and Chatterbox Community Cafe for the lovely sandwiches

The workshops are part of the Streets Ahead Collective Project and are funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with Canterbury City Council  as the lead authority.



Meet the volunteers

Freddie Chodel sitting on a bench

Welcome to our new feature: Meet the volunteers, celebrating the amazing people at the heart of Catching Lives.


Freddie Chodel has been volunteering in our day centre kitchen since January. He usually volunteers on Wednesdays but sometimes works a weekend shift.



How did you hear about the volunteering opportunity?


A number of friends have volunteered at Catching Lives over the years – and as of last year I left my job, which meant that I had plenty of time to help out at the centre. It was really something that I had wanted to do for a while, so when the opportunity arose, I jumped at the chance.



Why choose Catching Lives?


I chose Catching Lives as it provides such a broad and essential range of services to people most in need. Over the last few years it feels even more necessary to give back and offer provision to members of the local community – some of the volunteering roles are aligned with skills that I could offer happily, and it was a real no brainer to contribute towards the fantastic work the centre does on a day to day basis.



What are some joys you have experienced since starting with Catching Lives?


I have really enjoyed the challenge of working in a fast-paced kitchen and meeting a variety of wonderful volunteers. The range of skills and people you meet are always a lovely bonus, and the relationship with the client base – providing (hopefully nice!) food – is such a positive feeling, that I would urge anyone interested in volunteering to give it a go.



What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering?


I would say go for it. The staff and  the clients make any form of volunteering that you do extremely rewarding. Don’t be anxious about not being good enough – there is a wide range of people who volunteer – all with their own individual strengths – and everyone works as a team. Whether you can offer a set day, or just the possibility of offering to help out at some stage across the week – you’re honestly offering a really important service to those in the community who really appreciate you offering your time – and in turn your help goes a long way.



Outside of Catching Lives, how do you like to spend your time?


I try to stay active. Running, hiking, and general exercise make up an increasing part of my time. I love music, literature and film. I am currently trying to learn Greek and relearn my rather poor GCSE level French! I paint and print a lot of my own art work which I hope may become something larger in the future.



What is your line of work or previous line of work?


I spent nearly a decade in hospitality. I managed a cinema, which was very busy and stressful. I left at the end of last year to take a break and recuperate – and go on to do something completely different hopefully!



What are your passions and interests?


I am an avid watcher of all types of film. I love hiking across the Kent countryside – and wider afield when I can manage to do so. I love to draw and paint, and try to go to exhibitions when possible. I grew up playing a huge amount of sport, particularly football – and to my shame watch far too much of it in my spare time!


Volunteering Stats for July

Volunteering stats for Catching Lives

We’re recruiting!

Catching Lives is recruiting to a new Fundraising Officer role, including study release to complete a Level 3 Fundraiser Apprenticeship at the University of Kent. As Fundraising Officer, you’ll play a vital role in the charity by raising the funds that enable Catching Lives to deliver on its mission. You’ll help to grow our income in order to meet increasing need for homelessness services. Working closely with the Chief Executive and Communications Coordinator, you’ll apply and develop fundraising skills in a small charity with strong community links as part of an enthusiastic, dedicated team of staff and volunteers.

Read more and apply here.



Thank you!

Thank you to Morrisons Foundation for the oven and new pantry shelving for our kitchen. Thanks to the Kent Police Property Fund for a new table tennis table. Thank you Denise Smith for your continued fundraising efforts. Thanks Reikieast for the day of community Reiki sessions. A big thank you ​​to Old Wives Lees Community Choir and Wye Village Community Choir for a fantastic concert, hosted by Benefice of St Dunstan, St Mildred, and St Peter, Canterbury. Thank you Canterbury Academy students for the Asda bag pack and donations. And finally, thank you to everyone who has donated money, items or time. If you’d like to support our work, make a one-off or regular donation via our JustGiving page.

If you’d like more regular updates, please do keep an eye on our websiteFacebookInstagram and Twitter for more updates until we write to you again in August.



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Donate to Catching Lives via JustGiving.

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