CommunityAd had the pleasure of catching up with Capel-le-Ferne & Hawkinge Community Warden Jan Henry to find out more about her role and work in the local area.
Can you inform readers on your background and how you found yourself to be in the position of Community Warden?
My background is in social housing. I worked for Shepway (now Folkestone and Hythe) District Council for over 17 years in various housing roles. From 2007 I was the Community Development Officer for Moat housing association at Stanhope, Ashford, organising events and activities for residents during and after the estate was completely redeveloped. The role changed and I was made redundant early in 2019 just as the position of Community Warden came up, and when I became a Warden in July 2019 part of my Ashford patch was Stanhope where I already had excellent contacts and good local knowledge.
Are you enjoying your position so far?
I absolutely love being a Community Warden. My basic remit is to help people and the community in any way or shape required, and that’s incredibly rewarding. No two days are the same as I could be dealing with anything from reporting fly tipping to speaking to primary school children about staying safe online. However, it can be a challenge sometimes, for example if dealing with a very vulnerable person who may have been the victim of a scam or rogue trader.
What would you say are the positives you have experienced in Hawkinge & Capel-le-Ferne?
So far, I’ve been very impressed with the strong community spirit in Capel-le-Ferne where people really seem to look out for each other and many people volunteer to support their neighbours and village life. I love the Farmer’s Market where many locals gather as a weekly social event, alongside many visitors from the surrounding towns. Hawkinge has grown from a sleepy village to a small town since I worked for the local council so it has a different feel, but there is plenty going on at the Community Centre and I’m getting to know my way around the new estates. I’ve been made very welcome in both places and I look forward to getting to know them better.
Are there any areas of improvement you think are needed?
I’m very new to this patch so it’s hard to say. Ask me again in six months’ time!
From being in the role over the last 5 months, what have you come to understand as possible resident’s concerns around the area?
In Capel, speeding cars and congested streets – especially at school drop off and pick up times – is something that’s an obvious concern. In Hawkinge, low level anti-social behaviour by bored teenagers could be an issue.
How has COVID affected your role and how are you able to reach out to people and help those who are social distancing?
COVID has had a fundamental effect on how I work, as almost all of the clubs and groups etc. that I used to attend are currently suspended. As well as being a visible presence in the community, I stay in touch with key people like Parish Clerks, PCSOs, Police and other colleagues by email and phone, and I continue to visit vulnerable people to check their welfare but with strict social distancing measures, such as not going into people’s homes wherever possible. I miss meeting people in a social setting as that can be a valuable way that someone can approach me very informally if they have an issue to raise or want help or advice. However, I’m very happy to receive phone calls, text or emails from residents if they’d like my help in any way and I can visit them if required using the necessary social distancing measures.
When and where are your surgeries/meeting points for locals to come and express any concerns or opinions?
I don’t have a surgery at as such, but I do my best to attend every week at Capel Farmer’s Market so if any residents would like to bring something to my attention or ask for help or advice, I’m freely available.
In the meantime, residents can contact me on 07811 271303 or email [email protected].
What do you personally enjoy living about in the Hawkinge & Capel-le-Ferne area?
I think I’m very lucky to live in such a beautiful part of Kent, with easy access to the seaside and countryside and the high-speed rail link to London. I grew up in Folkestone and I love this area, and new attractions such as the Harbour Arm and Creative Quarter add to that.
For more information about Community Wardens visit the Kent County Council website.