Beat Project News

  • The Beat Project and pupils from The Malling School celebrate together as The St James Centre is awarded a grant  for £297, 176 from the Big Lottery fund. The young people represented their school admirably as they enjoyed a morning in The Beat Radio Room atThe St James Centreduring a visit from the Lottery Press Team. It was smiles all round and a few astonished faces at the size and amount of the cheque!


  • The Big Lottery Fund - News and Press Releases

    We are very pleased to announce that The Beat Project has achieved a"Reaching Communities" grant on behalf of The St James Centre Trust. The grant for just under£300,000from The Big Lottery Fund,will run over a three year period for The St. James Centre Community Hub and will allow us to run many projects and activities at the centre, as well as contributing to staff and running costs- including towards the much anticipated Community Arts Cafe. This is fantastic news for the residents of East Malling and the surrounding area, helping to secure the centre financially and allowing us to build on our community work there, which will benefit local people through a wide range of courses, accreditations, events, the  Arts Cafe, groups and activities.

    We are very proud of the team who worked so hard on achieveing this grant. Well done everyone!

    Fiona Dempsie from the Big lottery presents a cheque to The Beat Project and St. James Centre Trustees.

    Right to left: Christine Woodger, Trustee. Fiona Dempsie, Big Lottery Fund Head of South East Region. Angela Borsos, The Beat Project Community Development Manager. Steve Carley, The Beat Project CEO. Irene Scott, Trustee. Natasha Ausher,The Beat Project Apprentice at the St. James Centre.
                                                                Front row - The Cheque!!!

    Read the Big Lottery Press release below....


     Reaching Communities Grant for the St James Centre

    Young people learn to DJ at music workshop in East Malling

    Pupils aged 14-16 from The Malling School will try their hand at running a radio station from a vibrant community centre in East Malling, Kent, which was this month awarded funding by the Big Lottery Fund.

    St James Centre Trust received£297,176 from BIG’s Reaching Communities programme, enabling it to host activities including accredited courses in literacy and numeracy, craft groups, a veg box and allotment scheme, dance classes and weight loss sessions.

    Run by The Beat Project, the initiative aims to improve levels of education, employment, health and aspiration in East Malling through its refurbished community centre and arts cafe, which will offer healthy meals. Work experience placements and apprenticeships will be offered to unemployed adults and young people alongside volunteers.

    Miss Natasha Ausher,21, from East Malling, got in with the wrong crowd at school and was expelled, before aimlessly drifting between jobs. But since she began volunteering with the St James Centre as an apprentice six months ago, she says it has changed her outlook completely and she now aspires to be a community worker.

    She said:“It’s changed me completely as a person, the way I am, my personal life is a lot more settled - I come from a very disruptive childhood. I am a lot more career-minded now. Ultimately it would be amazing if I was able to stay with The Beat Project and St James Centre to work. I live in East Malling, it is a disadvantaged community. The work they have done already has changed the community. When you can see in front of you it’s changing, it’s very, very rewarding.

    Mrs Angela Borsos,community development managerfor The Beat ProjectatSt James Centre, said: “Over the last two years we have transformed this building from a disused school into a thriving community hub. It sits in quite a disadvantaged part of the wider community. We are offering lots of opportunities here to develop new skills, through volunteering, apprenticeships or courses. The whole ethos is training to help people build their confidence and skills in addition to helping them into work or education.”

    Fiona Dempsie,Big Lottery Fund Head of the South East region,said:

    “It is extremely inspiring to hear Natasha’s story and I am sure this exciting project will continue to transform the lives of many people in and around East Malling. I look forward to seeing how Reaching Communities funding will support many more vital causes across the South East throughout 2012.”

  •  
    Snodland Healthy Living Event a Success!

    Thank you all ever so much for all you kind support today on what turned out to be a really fun, interactive and successful event.  

    I've had some really good feedback from our members shown below.  It's a please to work in partnership with the Co-Op, TMBC, Moat Housing and all the people and organisations who came along!

    Our group continue to run weekly so do please come along and find us for a cuppa.

    Call Nicky on 07824 485 167 for more info.

    Healthy Living Event Feedback

    Excellent advice, loved it all.  Wayne

    Very Enjoyable, food lovely, people really friendly

    Had a fab time!!! Great food and info!!! Really really worked, booking this one again, Rachel was amazing ***

    I enjoyed skipping outside!

    Had a great afternoon, nice food, good demonstration, well done!

    Most enjoyable 2 hours we will have to pay another visit.  Mrs Mallard

    I enjoyed trying the healthy living foods.  Simon

    An excellent experience, very tasty food

    Doing the cooking

    A very enjoyable day, I enjoyed eating the food they made.  Kevin

    Skipped, ate and drunk too much tea! Great Fun !!

    Skip to be fit was soooo much fun, keep skipping

    Excellent really worth coming too!

    Very enjoyable and informative

    Most enjoyable and full of energy

    Enjoyed it very much, the food was healthy and lovely

    We’ve enjoyedeverything!!!!The skipping the food the atmosphere, great place– great place!  My boys didn’t even try my sausages when I cooked it but here your brilliant chef made them eat it!  Thank you

    Great day with the community in Snodland, the cookery sessions were fabulous and the food was great.  Partnership working at its best.  Betsy

    An excellent concept lots of very interesting activities  for community members. 

    Loved it done  a lot of exercise which not usually done, sooo enjoyed it, will come again next timeJTanya

    I enjoyed all and made the pancake, was fun.   from Gemma

    I found the event a great success too both for you, the Snodland community and our service.

     We signed 21 more families to the West Kent-wide Healthy Passport Club and we made 3 more stop smoking service referrals for Snodland.

     We got the message across about Love Food Hate Waste with the help of the Co-Op using the kitchen caddy for the waste and mentioning the LFHW messages during cooking. We gave away 25 kitchen caddies and 600 caddy liner sample paper bags.

     Thank you for organising such a fantastic event - and thank you to the team in the kitchen making the delicious hot chocolate to stop us from freezing by the door...

    I found the event a great success too both for you, the Snodland community and our service.

     We signed 21 more families to the West Kent-wide Healthy Passport Club and we made 3 more stop smoking service referrals for Snodland.

     We got the message across about Love Food Hate Waste with the help of the Co-Op using the kitchen caddy for the waste and mentioning the LFHW messages during cooking. We gave away 25 kitchen caddies and 600 caddy liner sample paper bags.

     Thank you for organising such a fantastic event - and thank you to the team in the kitchen making the delicious hot chocolate to stop us from freezing by the door...

     We really enjoyed the event and here is some feedback:

    ·        We were pleased to be in contact with parents of younger children and to have children in the audience/participating

    ·        we liked the format of the event

    ·        we liked the range of organisations present and felt they were a good match for our campaigns - especially waste reduction and healthy living

    ·        there was a good atmosphere - welcoming and inclusive

    You organised and promoted the event very effectively - we'd like to work with you again.

  • The Big Lottery Fund - News and Press Releases

    We are very pleased to announce that The Beat Project has achieved a"Reaching Communities" grant on behalf of The St James Centre Trust. The grant for just under£300,000from The Big Lottery Fund,will run over a three year period for The St. James Centre Community Hub and will allow us to run many projects and activities at the centre, as well as contributing to staff and running costs- including towards the much anticipated Community Arts Cafe. This is fantastic news for the residents of East Malling and the surrounding area, helping to secure the centre financially and allowing us to build on our community work there, which will benefit local people through a wide range of courses, accreditations, events, the  Arts Cafe, groups and activities.

    We are very proud of the team who worked so hard on achieveing this grant. Well done everyone!

    Fiona Dempsie from the Big lottery presents a cheque to The Beat Project and St. James Centre Trustees.

    Right to left: Christine Woodger, Trustee. Fiona Dempsie, Big Lottery Fund Head of South East Region. Angela Borsos, The Beat Project Community Development Manager. Steve Carley, The Beat Project CEO. Irene Scott, Trustee. Natasha Ausher,The Beat Project Apprentice at the St. James Centre.
                                                                Front row - The Cheque!!!

    Read the Big Lottery Press release below....


     Reaching Communities Grant for the St James Centre

    Young people learn to DJ at music workshop in East Malling

    Pupils aged 14-16 from The Malling School will try their hand at running a radio station from a vibrant community centre in East Malling, Kent, which was this month awarded funding by the Big Lottery Fund.

    St James Centre Trust received£297,176 from BIG’s Reaching Communities programme, enabling it to host activities including accredited courses in literacy and numeracy, craft groups, a veg box and allotment scheme, dance classes and weight loss sessions.

    Run by The Beat Project, the initiative aims to improve levels of education, employment, health and aspiration in East Malling through its refurbished community centre and arts cafe, which will offer healthy meals. Work experience placements and apprenticeships will be offered to unemployed adults and young people alongside volunteers.

    St James Centre - The Beat ProjectbyBigLotteryFund


    Miss Natasha Ausher,21, from East Malling, got in with the wrong crowd at school and was expelled, before aimlessly drifting between jobs. But since she began volunteering with the St James Centre as an apprentice six months ago, she says it has changed her outlook completely and she now aspires to be a community worker.

    She said:“It’s changed me completely as a person, the way I am, my personal life is a lot more settled - I come from a very disruptive childhood. I am a lot more career-minded now. Ultimately it would be amazing if I was able to stay with The Beat Project and St James Centre to work. I live in East Malling, it is a disadvantaged community. The work they have done already has changed the community. When you can see in front of you it’s changing, it’s very, very rewarding.

    Mrs Angela Borsos,community development managerfor The Beat ProjectatSt James Centre, said: “Over the last two years we have transformed this building from a disused school into a thriving community hub. It sits in quite a disadvantaged part of the wider community. We are offering lots of opportunities here to develop new skills, through volunteering, apprenticeships or courses. The whole ethos is training to help people build their confidence and skills in addition to helping them into work or education.”

    Fiona Dempsie,Big Lottery Fund Head of the South East region,said:

    “It is extremely inspiring to hear Natasha’s story and I am sure this exciting project will continue to transform the lives of many people in and around East Malling. I look forward to seeing how Reaching Communities funding will support many more vital causes across the South East throughout 2012.”

    The Beat Project and pupils from The Malling School celebrate together as The St James Centre is awarded a grant  for £297, 176 from the Big Lottery fund. The young people represented their school admirably as they enjoyed a morning in The Beat Radio Room atThe St James Centreduring a visit from the Lottery Press Team.
  • Snodland Healthy Living Event: 
    15th February 11.30 am to 2.00pm 
    at Snodland Working Men's Club, 54 to 56 Holborough Road
    Inside
    • Cooperative Kitchen Cooking demos and tasters
    • Love Food Hate Waste 
    • Health Checks 
    • Eat Well Plate and Nutritionist 
    • Mini Massages 
    • Reflexology 
    • Connexions (Gemma and Lauren) and Job Search Club (Liz and Linda)
    • Children's Centre - Children's activities 
    Outside
    • Moat Housing - Various Fun Exercises including Skip to Be Fit competition
    • Youth Service - Remote Control Car Challenge
  • Want to brush up on your literacy skills? If so then come along to Coffee and chat Group to find out more.

    There is a 6 week course starting on 22nd February at 1.00pm to 2.30pm.

    Maybe you would like to brush up your skills, or maybe you would like some support with helping with your children's homework, or perhaps you would like to gain level 1 or 2 qualification?

    There will be an initial assessment on that first day to ensure the course is right for you and that will set the level for each individual student. 

    This course if offered for FREE. Call Nicky for more info on 07824 485 167


  • COFFEE AND CHAT 11.30 to 2pm at the Working Men's Club, 54 to 56 Holborough Road, Snodland. 

    Come along and meet new friends or come in a Group. Only£1 per adult, children FREE, tea, coffee and cakes included.

    There are various arts and crafts available for your to try or perhaps you fancy a FREE reflexology session?

    Every Week:  Refreshments, cake& free bread (if available) FREE Reflexology, Job Search Club, CV Writing, Careers/College Advice, help with interview skills for all ages including  Connexions(young people up to age 19), various Crafting activities available

    Additionally we have a program of professionals who are scheduled to attend the group to provide an information and advice referral service.

    We welcome your suggestions as to how you would like to see this group develop and professionals who you would like to invite into the group, or perhaps you would just like to join us for a cuppa and a chat.

    We have also planned various outings and events in the past and are looking to see what group members would like to do this year. So far we have planned a Healthy Living Event on 15th Feb, a Jubilee Event in June, a Bat Walk in Aug/Sept and we are looking at organising a trip to the seaside.

    Last year's outing to Canterbury horse rescue proved extremely popular and members have asked to go back again. If you would like to join us at any of these events, outings or group sessions please do come along as all are welcome.

    Hope to see you soon

    Call Nicky if you would like to know more on 07824 485 167
  • The Beat Project are to work with Swale Borough Council and Amicus Horizon to support communities in Swale


  • ‘Bash the Trash’ litter pick on Friday 10th February during Period 2 (09.20 to 11am.  We will be working on the area between Malling Road and Tom Joyce Close, extending to  the grass verge at the front of the school between the out gate and up as far as Lewis Mews.  We will have 2 Year 7 and2 Year 8 classes, so around 80 children.
  • The Friends of Nevill Park in Snodland were joined by local Member of Parliament, Tracey Crouch, for their New Year Clean up of the park. More than fifteen adults and children joined in the clean up and between them collected over 30 bags of rubbish. Unusual items found included a toilet, sun lounger and mop. Disgusting items found were dirty nappies and a whole load of filled dog bags that had been thrown into the bushes. Many thanks to all those who came along to help to make the park a more pleasant place for all residents.
  • The Beat Project is thrilled to be part of the Kent 4 U Choices event, taking place on the 14th of March for students in Years 9, 10& 11 and on the 15th of March on the 15th of March for Job Seekers, General Public, students in Year 12 +, Parents / Carers, College& University Students.

    We will offer exciting music and cultural workshops including DJ, Vjing, and present our all range of activities to tackle disadvantage and support young people and communities.
    Pleasethe page of the event hereto see the list of participants









  • Kent Adult Education are very excited to announce a new programme of courses coming to Snodland in February. Their Holmesdale centre is already established as a place to gain nationally recognised qualifications in Nails, Massage and Beauty. Now local residents of the area can enjoy leisure courses from counselling and complementary therapy to patchwork and photography!

    To celebrate the launch they are putting on free tasters where you can try out a class for free and receive a goody bag and discount voucher to use on their wide range of courses. The courses with free tasters are; Creative Writing, Drawing and Painting Beginners, Floral Art Beginners and Spanish. You can find out more about these tasters by calling us now on 0845 606 5606 or visitingwww.kentadulteducation.co.uk