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NEWS
KENWARD TRUST WINS MENTAL HEALTH CHARITY OF THE YEAR 2026
Kenward Trust has been named Mental Health Charity of the Year at the 2026 Kent Charity Awards, sharing the honour with Waterside Parents Centre.
The award recognises the charity’ s commitment to supporting people across Kent to rebuild their lives through recovery from addiction, improved mental wellbeing and support for those experiencing homelessness and other complex challenges.
‘ WE’ RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT’ SCULPTURES GO UNDER THE HAMMER
Across the summer, thousands of people explored Dartford and Bluewater for the We’ re Going on a Bear Hunt art trail, searching for the colourful bear sculptures that have transformed streets, parks and public spaces.
This month, the sculptures will go under the hammer, giving people the chance to own one of the unique artworks while raising vital funds for ellenor hospice and the specialist care it provides across North Kent and Bexley.
Presiding over the auction will be Catherine Southon, one of Britain’ s best-known female auctioneers.
Rather than choosing between two outstanding organisations, the judging panel named both Kenward Trust and Waterside Parents Centre as winners in the Mental Health Charity of the Year category.
For more than five decades, Kenward Trust has helped people overcome difficult life challenges, providing residential rehabilitation, follow-on supported accommodation and recovery services alongside opportunities to build more positive futures and a pathway that can last for years.
Winning the award gives the charity an opportunity to recognise the many people who make its work possible- from staff and volunteers to commissioners, partners, fundraisers, donors and supporters across the county.
Designed by professional artists, schools, community groups and local businesses, each sculpture reflects the people and places that have made the trail such a success. Together, the bears have brought colours to Dartford and Bluewater while introducing visitors to ellenor and the work it does to support families living with life-limiting illnesses.
Businesses can give a sculpture a permanent home in a reception area or outside their headquarters, while schools and community organisations have the opportunity to keep a lasting reminder of their trail within their communities.
The auction will also be available to online bidders via Bidpath, allowing supporters from across the country to take part.
FURLEY PAGE APPOINTS TWO NEW SOLICITORS FROM TRAINEE PROGRAMME
Kent-based law firm Furley Page Solicitors has appointed two newly qualified solicitors, both of whom have recently completed the firm’ s trainee solicitor programme.
Sophie Stachera-Stygle and Charlotte Howe qualified as solicitors after two years on the firm’ s highly-regarded trainee programme, completing four‘ seats’( areas of the law) across various legal teams.
Places on the Furley Page programme are highly sought after with successful candidates gaining experience across several practice areas and providing legal services to both corporate and private clients.
Sophie began her legal training with a Post- Graduate Diploma in Law, followed by the Legal Practice Course at BPP University in 2024, where she achieved a Distinction. Having completed the trainee programme, she has now joined Furley Page’ s Disputes team.
Charlotte graduated from Durham University with a 2:1 in Law before completing the Legal Practice Course at BPP University in London, also achieving a Distinction. She has now joined the firm’ s Corporate and Commercial team.
“ It is especially rewarding when successful trainees move on to positions within the firm following their qualification,” said Rayma Collins, partner and head of Family Law.“ Both Sophie and Charlotte have clearly demonstrated their skills, passion and commitment to the legal profession, so we are delighted to welcome them to the team and I am excited to see their careers progress further with Furley Page.” www. insidekent. co. uk • 209