Founded in 1984, Spadework is a wonderful charity based in West Malling that works with three vulnerable groups providing care and support for people with learning disabilities, those experiencing problems with their well-being and mental health and people living with dementia.
Celebrating their 40th anniversary, Bridget Marrison is the Charity Executive of Spadework providing strategic support and leadership in communications, income generation and the evolution of the charity.
We had the pleasure of speaking with Bridget to find out more about the Kent Charity of the Year…
To readers who might not know, can you tell us more about Spadework and the incredible work you do?
We enable people to be more independent, feel less isolated and lead happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. We provide meaningful opportunities to adults with learning and other disabilities, people living with dementia and those experiencing problems with their mental health. On our five-acre site, we also have a Garden Centre, Farm Shop, Café and Gift Shed, which are open to the public 7 days a week.
How have you enabled people to be more independent, feel less isolated and live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives?
We have a wide base of supporters, from local people, special interests, and community groups as well as local businesses. We have also received funding from Grants and Trusts. Support from The National Lottery Community Fund helped us expand our indoor spaces which has meant we can carry on supporting our beneficiaries even when it rains! Specific activities, like our life skills that take place in our Orange and Purple Rooms enable people to learn skills like cooking and handling money which help them to be more independent. Activities like performing arts develop communication skills that make people feel more confident. Our woodwork for well-being and community gardening groups bring people together, as do our other special interest groups like reading, sewing, and walking. The services we offer to people living with dementia are in more demand than ever and we offer support to those living with dementia and their carers.
This year you turn 40, what would you say have been some of the proudest moments so far in Spadework?
Most recently, it must be being named as Kent Charity of the Year. This was public recognition of the work that we do. There have been many other proud moments, including the expansion of our pumpkin garden and how big our annual PYO Pumpkin event has become.
Our Trainees have achieved some amazing things too – most recently making crisp packet blankets to help the homeless and decorating a member of the flock for Shaun the Sheep initiative being run by Heart of Kent Hospice. We are proud that we can make a difference to the lives of other people as well as those at Spadework. In the past 40 years there have been moments too when we have been challenged financially but thanks to our many generous supporters, we have managed to navigate our way through these periods.
What projects are you working on this year, and do you have any long-term projects you’re working on over the next 5-10 years?
So, in the short term we are focussing on celebrating 40 years and on June 8th, we have our Summer Fair and Big Tea Party. We hope to see lots of your readers there! We will also be hosting Teas and Tours every day from 10th to 15th June. These are an opportunity to find out more about what we do.
In the medium term, navigating our way through the current economic climate will keep us all very busy as we respond to an increase in the demand for our services.
In the long term, we want to remain a hub for our local community delivering services that support more local people.
For any interested readers wanting to volunteer, how can people get in touch to find out more?
They can look at our website. Occasionally, we post specific volunteer opportunities on Facebook. We currently have 32 volunteers who help us in our Garden Centre, Farm Shop and Gift Shed, some also help us to deliver our dementia and wellbeing services, including our gardening and woodworking activities. There may not always be an immediate opportunity as our needs change, but we do like to hear from people who have skills that can help us. Check out our website www.spadework.org.uk or you can call us on 01732 780002.