First local projects begin to benefit from Port of Dover Community Fund

An independent panel has selected the first projects that are to benefit from the Port of Dover Community Fund.

10 projects have been chosen, covering a wide range of important community themes, including youth support, crime prevention, health, maritime skills, the arts and sport.

Two of the successful organisations and projects are the Cinque Ports Community Kitchen CIC, a social enterprise working to teach local people who cannot afford to pay for lessons how to cook healthily using fresh ingredients, and Dover Music Festival, a non-profit three-day event, providing music and fun for the local community.

Carol Lynch, Chief Executive of Kent Community Foundation, said: "Thanks to the Port of Dover's significant commitment to the local community, I am thrilled to be in a position to make the initial payments to 10 excellent community projects. This is the best part of our job - seeing such funds begin to make a real and lasting difference."

Stephanie Hayman, Founding Director at Cinque Ports Community Kitchen CIC, said: "The team at Cinque Ports Community Kitchen would like to say a huge thank you to the Port of Dover Community Fund. This grant means that more people will have the opportunity to transform their lives through healthy eating, practical cooking skills and accredited training. What's great is that they can share what they learn with families and friends and encourage a culture of healthy eating - a great development for communities in Dover."

Roger Marsden, Director of Dover Music Festival, said: "The contribution from the Port of Dover Community Fund has played a major part in the financial viability of the project. A consensus of people attending over the 3 days was one of amazement that such a fantastic and unprecedented event could have been organised in our town by a small group of committed local people, giving their time and resources freely. It looks as if we are well on our way to putting our town back on the map!"

The Port of Dover will be hosting a community workshop later this year to be run by Kent Community Foundation in order to show why the first projects were successful and to give advice on how to complete an application for funding in time for the next call for projects.

Further beneficiaries of the Port of Dover Community Fund are to be announced in the coming weeks.