Charity of the year

Every year our membership selects, by vote, a charity that we will support for the coming year.  

For 2026 our chosen charity is SNAAP a special needs advisory and activities project working with disabled children and their families in Canterbury, Whitstable, Herne Bay and throughout Kent.

"Our support service is designed to help provide practical advice and the emotional support we all need from time to time". They also run drop-in sessions at the Riverside Church, Whitstable and also at SNAAP-EY’s

Call: 01227 367555 or 07842 127825 

Following the April meeting our donation of juice, sunscreen etc was taken along to SNAAP by Pauline. They were absolutely delighted. Pauline was shown around and has found out a lot more about them. The building is owned by KCC and SNAAP and another charity Windchimes rents from them. They are both small local charities.

Pauline was really impressed with the service they offer, catering for those with additional needs up to the age of 18/19. They have various groups and specialist workers and support parents through the stress of claiming appropriate financial support and getting children assessed and diagnosed,which can take years. They also have a clothes swap (free) and when necessary provide food for parents who are struggling. They do have an outreach worker who offers support for parents and once a month is at Riverside. The only funding they receive from KCC /NHS is for children with complex needs who require one to one help. 

 

 

For 2025 our chosen charity was CATCHING LIVES.

Following our final donation in January 2026 we received the following:-

Hi Pauline, 

We have safely received the cheque from your WI today. Thank you all so much for supporting Catching Lives - £688 is a really fantastic amount that will make a big difference to the lives of people who are homeless, meaning they can access a safe space for warmth, food and support every day.

 

 

Over past years we have donated:-

2024 - 2025   Fifth Trust   £1064.50

2023 - 2024   Demelza and Pilgrims £387.50 each 

2021 - 2023    SERV Kent    £1084.96

2020 - 2021    Rising Sun Domestic Violence and Abuse. £350.00

2019 - 2020    Harmony Therapy Trust   £500.00

2018 - 2019    Porchlight   £480.00