Gary Fuller | Councillor for Sandgate & West Folkestone

Article: Jul 10, 2020

The Folkestone Haven offers safe, inclusive and welcoming spaces for people who are struggling to cope with their mental health during the evening, weekends and bank holidays when other services may be closed.

The Folkestone Haven is for adult residents (18+) of the Folkestone and Hythe District who are experiencing difficulties with their mental health and feel unable to cope. This includes people who may be anxious or worried about anything affecting their mental health but don't have support networks available to them. It is for people who use or have used mental health services and those who have never used them before.

It is open access and no appointment is necessary, and the service is completely free.

The Folkestone Haven is based at the Rainbow Centre, 69 Sandgate Road, Folkestone CT20 2AF (Folkestone.Haven@hestia.org 07827 533871). They are open Monday-Friday from 18:00 to 23:00 and Weekends & Bank Holidays from 12:00 to 23:00.

The Folkestone Haven's aim is to support people using the service to reduce their crisis and anxiety, and to safety plan, drawing on strengths, resilience and coping mechanisms to reduce the need to use crisis services in the future. We will also refer and signpost to other support services.

You can learn more at https://www.hestia.org/folkestone-and-hythe-district

Tim says:

"When I first heard of the haven I thought it was a really important scheme and wanted to help. I was really pleased I was able to support the Haven with a small grant from my ward grant budget in January this year.

"Although the Haven is in central Folkestone, it's there to support anyone, from across the district, who need their help. We don't talk about mental health issues enough, and those with issues often don't get the support they deserve. I'm delighted that in Folkestone and Hythe, the Folkestone Haven can offer people that place to start to talk."

Liberal Democrats back Graham Colley to stand in the Police & Crime Commissioner election

Article: Jul 9, 2020

Liberal Democrats are delighted to announce that Graham Colley has been selected as their candidate at the next Police and Crime Commissioner election, due to take place in May 2021. Graham has been a vocal supporter of Kent Police and will campaign for more frontline officers, community policing and improved visibility of police, especially in rural areas of the county.

Layla Moran (Chris McAndrew [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)] https://pds.blog.parliament.uk/2017/07/21/mp-official-portraits-open-source-images/)

Government woefully underprepared to ensure every young person can return to school

Article: Jul 2, 2020

Speaking following the statement on schools reopening, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said:

"Today's statement shows just how woefully underprepared the Government are to ensure every young person can return to school in September.

"Despite the very real risk of further local outbreaks of Covid 19, the Education Secretary refused to give any commitment that children will get the equipment they need to learn from home. Without them, too many will have no chance of catching up on their education and will continue to fall behind.

New Shorncliffe Road Zebra Crossing Confirmed

Article: Jul 1, 2020

It has been confirmed that a proposed new crossing of Shorncliffe Road to make access from Sandgate and West Folkestone to Folkestone West Railway Station has got the go-ahead and will be built this summer. The plan went to consulation with residents earlier this year.

Following consultation, the detailed plans have been slightly amended, moving the new crossing from one side of the Shorncliffe Road junction with Audley Road to the other, so that the crossing now is opposite St George's Church.

Form for Confirmation of State aid received under small business or retail, leisure and hospitality grant scheme, and undertaking in difficulty status

Folkestone and Hythe: Company Declaration of State Aid Form

Article: Jun 23, 2020

All businesses that have had grant aid support via Folkestone and Hythe District Council in the form of the Small Business Grant (£10,000) or Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Grant (£10,000 - £25,000) have now received a form to complete to confirm they were eligible for the grant and that they can keepi it.

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