Catching Lives Latest News: July 2026
- Jul 30
- 4 min read
This is your July update from Catching Lives. In the extreme heat this summer, we've been helping people stay safe and well by providing shade, water and fresh food as well as showers, laundry and fresh clothing. Sleeping rough in these temperatures is a high risk as people struggle to find the cool spaces needed for rest and recovery, including overnight.
Your support is appreciated so that we can maintain supplies of bottled water, food, laundry pods and essential clothing, especially socks. Click here to support us by donating summer supplies for our day centre.
Recruitment starting soon!
Are you interested in joining the team at Catching Lives or do you know someone who'd love to make a difference in homelessness? We're excited to be starting recruitment for 4 new team members in the next few days! Look out for a dedicated newsletter next week, follow our social media or keep an eye on the News page for our blog with all the details.
How we're tackling food waste
Every day, we provide fresh meals for our clients to ensure they have access to nutritious food, supporting physical and mental wellbeing. While tackling hunger, we are also committed to making sure that good food doesn't go to waste.
We work closely with community partners to make the most of every donation we receive and ensure food is reaching where it's needed most. Our key partners are Canterbury Food Bank, the Community Larder at All Saints and The Hub Cafe and Community Fridge at the Canterbury Baptist Church.
We also source fresh ingredients from FareShare, an organisation that collects surplus food from supermarkets and redistributes it to charities like ours.
You can read more about how we tackle food waste as well as growing fresh ingredients in our garden by clicking here.
Celebrating our community
Catching Lives is very lucky to be supported by our wonderful community, helping us to keep our services running 7 days a week.
So far this year, our community have gone above and beyond with some fantastic fundraising activities, including sponsored walks, summer concerts and the Three Peaks Challenge, all to raise money for Catching Lives!
You can read more about the fantastic groups at the heart of our community, and how you can get involved here.
Planning for the future - Catching Lives' Board away day
This month our Board of Trustees came together for an away day to begin developing our next organisational strategy. We'd like to thank Cranfield Trust for providing pro bono facilitation support and to Natalie and RSPCA Canterbury District for hosting.
Meet the Volunteer: Christine
Our 'Meet the Volunteer' segment shines a spotlight on the amazing people at the heart of Catching Lives. This month, we meet Christine, a regular kitchen volunteer.
How long have you been volunteering for?
9 months.
Why choose Catching Lives?
With some time on my hands, I wanted to meet new people, work for a worthy cause and give back to society.
What are some highlights you have experienced since starting with Catching Lives?
Camaraderie - how to work as part of a team with people from different backgrounds and personalities.
What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering?
It's a very positive environment where you'll be well supported and get to meet like-minded souls.
Outside of Catching Lives, how do you like to spend your time? What are your passions/interests?
I'm interested in politics, sea swimming and the gym. I have a passion for sharks and have done shark cage diving!
Is there anything you've learned since volunteering at Catching Lives?
I've learned new cooking skills and dishes, as well as thinking on my feet, as volunteers need to be adaptable. And also breaking stereotypes, thanks to the people I've met.
What are three words that sum up your volunteering experience at Catching Lives?
Fun, fast, satisfying!
Click here to find out more about current volunteering opportunities.
Thank you!
Thank you to RedHouse Nursing Home who celebrated their 40th anniversary this month with a garden party and chose Catching Lives as their partner charity, raising £1,000 from the raffle!
Thank you to the King's School for choosing us as their Charity of the Summer Term, organising various fundraising activities and book donation drives for our second-hand bookshop in the Crooked House.
Thanks to everybody who visited Waitrose and placed a green token in for Catching Lives over the last few months - you raised £1,000! And thank you to the staff in the Canterbury store for choosing Catching Lives as one of the causes for the Green Token Scheme. At the moment, you can support our friends at KRAN with your green tokens!
Thank you to everybody who has donated to Catching Lives and delivered essential items to our day centre this month. We are really grateful for your support.
If you're planning a summer fundraiser and would like to support Catching Lives, find out everything you need to know here.
Keep in touch
For regular updates, please keep an eye on our website, Facebook and Instagram for more updates until we write to you again in August.
If you're not subscribed to receive our monthly newsletter, you can sign up here.
