Serving the Community

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We spend about £30,000 each year on projects that benefit our community. If you would like to make a request for financial assistance, please complete and submit a request form.

Below are some other examples of where we have helped the local community:

Hospice in the Weald

Sevenoaks Lions Club has provided financial support for the Hospice in the Weald since its inception. Indeed, we made a contribution to its building costs.

Over the years, we have:

  • donated an awning so that day patients can sit outside, sheltering from the sun;
  • provided a sophisticated reclining chair for the day room so patients can sit comfortably:
  • provided computers with relevant software to assist in the management of the organisation.

Recently, our President was asked by the Hospice if they could pass on some lymphatic pumps (pumps which force air into cells to encourage lymph fluid in a body to move and not pool). These pumps were purchased by our Club for the Hospice some years ago but they had no further need for them. Our Club was delighted to pass them to a representative of the Hospices of Hope.

Visit the Hospice In the Weald website

Ryder House

The Lions Club of Sevenoaks has made a significant contribution to refurnishing Ryder House in Tunbridge Wells which is operated by the YMCA and provides accommodation for 34 homeless youngsters. On average there are between 8-10 people from the Sevenoaks area (normally referred by Sevenoaks District Council) in residence.

The YMCA runs numerous courses and workshops to help these young people with basic cooking, management of money, self-esteem and job interview techniques. On average they stay at Ryder House for 13 months after which they are ready to cope with the outside world.

Visit the West Kent YMCA website

Relate

We have donated £5,000 to Relate to enable it to provide a counsellor for Edenbridge. Many couples continue in an unhappy marriage or partnership for years, keeping things very private rather than seeking help. Relate counsellors can assist couples to overcome their differences and resume a happy relationship. Financial help is available for those who cannot afford Relate’s fees.
Visit the Relate website

Special Projects

Our special projects are proposed by Social Services, other support organisations, local charities or individuals. They may take the form of work, such as, for example, gardening for senior citizens or the handicapped, and decorating buildings, such as Sevenoaks Hospital, or those owned by local charities.

Heavy Horse Show
Our annual Heavy Horse Show this year will be taking place on Sunday 3rd September 2023 from 10am til 5pm. Are you interested in running a trade stall then please contact hhs.yussuf@gmail.com or check out our events page for details on costs etc. If you plan on visiting our wonderful event here is some information […]
Spadeworks
The current COVID-19 situation is making fundraising difficult for many charities. When Spadeworks contacted us, the Club was only too pleased to help with a donation of £1,000.
Children’s Respite Trust
We financed the Children’s Respite Trust to train and equip a volunteer in Sevenoaks. She is able to provide respite for parents with disabled children so that they can go shopping or go out for an evening sure that their child is in safe hands.
Scouts Minibus
The Edenbridge Scouts Group uses its minibus for transporting scouts to and from many of its activities. The Lions Club has contributed half the running costs of the bus this year. It keeps the scouts on the road and enables them to manage wider ranging projects.
Gardening/Painting
We help the elderly and disabled maintain their gardens by clearing and tidying difficult areas. We also create special gardens for disabled people and for organisations like Sevenoaks hospital.
Family Holidays
In May, we send two local families for holidays on the south coast; one for a pair of senior citizens (normally one of whom is disabled) and a second for a family with young children. We provide full board and lodging plus access to organised entertainment.
Excursions for Senior Citizens
Each year during the summer months we have organised excursions for senior citizens. These events have proved so popular that we have arranged with the Volunteer Bureau (VAWK) to deliver 40 trips throughout the year.
Christmas Parcels
At Christmas we deliver parcels containing seasonal fare to 120 families nominated by local organisations and charities. This adds a spice of Christmas cheer to those who may not be able to purchase all the goods for themselves.
Riding for the Disabled
Back in 1986, our Club purchased a specially adapted carriage for the Bradbourne Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA). After many years of good use, the carriage was finally in need of replacement. So that’s exactly what we recently did!
MENCAP
The Club has supported the local branch of MENCAP for several years. When their old storage shed needed replacing, they asked for our help.
A bicycle made for two
A request was received from Kent County Council for help in purchasing a Roan Twin bike split cycle for a family in Dunton Green who have two autistic boys. Our Club was more than happy to help.
New wheelchair
An Edenbridge woman with cerebral palsy has a new custom-made wheelchair thanks to a generous donation from Bellway housebuilders. The company was approached for help by the Club to support Carol Ashley in her quest to find funding for a new chair.
Sevenoaks District Citizens Advice Bureau
The Club recently donated £1500 to Sevenoaks District Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) for training new Councillors. Our President (Roy Sharrad) and the Welfare Chairman (Alan Walter) were happy to present the large cheque to CAB in person.
Friends for Families
The Club has also made a continuing payment of up to £1,000 to ‘Friends for Familes’, a small charity working in the Sevenoaks areas to help families facing financial hardship.  
The Shaw Trust
Following a request from The Shaw Trust, the Club has paid for a panic button to be installed for a Sevenoaks resident and also for one years’ rental.

Free holiday activities for children

Our Club has financed a series of activities for children. These are managed either by the KCC or by West Kent Extra. We finance activities:

  • at Easter, (play-in-a-day), managed by West Kent Extra
  • in the summer, eight activities for groups of children (managed by KCC Social Services).The events include bowling, tennis, a day camp in Edenbridge and trips to the Rare Breeds Centre. The aim was to provide children with an exciting and stimulating series of activities.
  • at Christmas we finance a party for around 100 needy children and send around 20 children to a pantomime.

The Kenward Trust

The Kenward Trust provides help for those with an addiction be it alcohol or drugs. The Lions are financing the Trust to visit every senior school in Sevenoaks for one day to provide advice to students on how to avoid addiction. It takes to schools people who have had an addiction, or who have been to prison for drugs offences, to explain to the children the dangers of dependence and how to avoid it.

Life Skills

UK Lions owns a not-for-profit company, Tacade, which provides a range of books and games designed to promote the health and well-being of children and young people. They are intended to provide teachers and youth leaders with material for lessons or discussions on subjects such as alcohol, citizenship, drugs, gambling, bereavement, sexual relationships and smoking. Sevenoaks Lions Club provides copies for local schools and organisations which deal with young people.

MacIntyre Care

MacIntyre Care provides learning, support and care for people with learning disabilities. In Sevenoaks, it provides accommodation and support for nine people. Our Club has provided continued support for MacIntyre. It contributed half the cost of a summer house which the residents use as a communal space and later completely refurnished this area with solid, comfortable chairs and settees.