NEWS insideSTORY
WE ARE BEAMS’ MESSY DASH RETURNS
We Are Beams’ much-loved Messy Dash, a colourful and fun-filled fundraising event, is set to take place on Saturday 6 July at Dartford Central Park.
The 2.5km course will take participants through a series of colourful stations- complete with slime, water, powder paint and unexpected surprises.
All proceeds from the event will go towards supporting disabled children and their families through Beams’ vital care support services including family advice, respite care and summer play schemes.
We Are Beams believe that even children with the most complex disabilities can thrive and reach their full potential with the right support.
“ Messy Dash is more than just a fun day out- it’ s a way for the community to come together and make a real difference in the lives of local children with disabilities,” said Luke Cashin, fundraising manager.“ Every splash, every laugh and every step taken on the course helps provide essential support to families who need it most.”
NORTH KENT COLLEGE UNVEILS STATE-OF-THE-ART ASSISTED LIVING SUITES
North Kent College has opened its pioneering Assisted Living Technology Suites, unveiling cuttingedge facilities that will play a key role in shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Installed at its Tonbridge and Dartford campuses, each suite is equipped with state-of-the-art smart technology that supports people with conditions such as dementia and a PARO Seal, a lifelike robotic seal with multiple interactive sensors that is used in dementia care to combat cognitive decline and lift moods.
The spaces will be used to train both Health and Social Care students at the college and NHS employees on the use of this new digital technology, so they can take their experience into the workplace.
The project came about after the government’ s Local Skills Improvement Plan identified a need to upskill the health and social care workforce in digital skills and to use technology to develop and deliver more effective services. The assisted living suites have been installed across three different college groups in Kent: North Kent College, East Kent College Groups and MidKent College.
BROMLEY CHARITY AWARDED FUNDING TO SHARE EXPERTISE FROM ITS SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY HUB
PENSHURST PLACE & GARDENS NAMED FINALIST IN HISTORIC HOUSES GARDEN OF THE YEAR AWARD 2025
Penshurst Place & Gardens has been shortlisted as one of eight national finalists for the prestigious Historic Houses Garden of the Year Award 2025. This is the second time the estate has received a nomination for the award and the team are hopeful for a win.
Dating back to 1346, the 11-acre, Grade I listed grounds are renowned for their stunning features including the peony border, Union Flag Garden and Jubilee Walk.
The awards recognise the outstanding upkeep of gardens at privately owned historic houses, castles and estates across the UK, and public voting is currently open with the winner to be announced in November.
“ This nomination is a testament to the generations of the Sidney Family who have maintained the historical integrity of the grounds since 1522,” said Ben Thomas, general manager. The gardens are deeply rooted in their Elizabethan origins and have barely changed since their creation, which is something we are incredibly proud of.”
Local sustainability charity Greener and Cleaner has received a £ 300,000 grant from the Esmée Fairbain Foundation to create a blueprint of its Community Hub to support peer-to-peer community groups and strengthen the efforts of local sustainability projects.
Located in The Glades shopping centre, the hub is a peer-run community space offering support to empower local people to live sustainably, while tackling social isolation and the rising cost-ofliving and mental health crises. Since opening in 2022, it has successfully supported more than 20,000 local residents.
Bromley’ s hub offers activities and workshops such as sewing lessons, repair workshops, gardening sessions, upcycling tips and advice on reducing energy bills- all in a non-judgmental space for people to learn and experience.
“ We have learnt a huge amount about how to build community sustainability and resilience, both at our Community Hub and through swapped learnings with other groups,” said founder and chief vision officer, Parisa Wright.“ I am excited about the opportunity to formalise our learning through a Blueprint Package that can be shared for communities to use.” www. insidekent. co. uk • 209