The Net Community Hub Trustees Annual Report 2025/26
The Net Community Hub has been designed to meet the intergenerational needs of the community, providing the basis for positive cohesion sought after by residents and which is considered a safe space with sound examples of good work practice.
Our main focus is to alleviate social isolation in the large number of vulnerable, elderly and isolated residents in the area.
The Net offers activities and opportunities modelled to meet the specific needs of individuals and/or groups, providing stepping stones to improving confidence and expanding the aspirations of the community.
The Hub provides opportunities for:
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Residents to develop as volunteers
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Communication and information
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Residents to develop friendships and understanding
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Specialist groups to meet and expand their knowledge, skills and expertise
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Surgeries to take place e.g. Hi Kent Deaf Aid
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Space for activities and services (eg, hairdresser, podiatrist)
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A base for community interest groups to work from
With the loss of some income generating hire groups in 2017, a new approach was instigated, with a move away from reliance on private hire to offering funded sessions where groups make a donation for the use of the facilities, which is proving to be a successful approach through which the Hub can continue to operate. The number of attendees was up by 500 on 2024/25.
PROJECT FUNDING 2025/26
We applied for the Kent Community Fund Known Applicant route again and received £4000 in March 2026.
There were a number of small donations from various individuals and organisations, including two who made us their Charity of the Year: Mid Kent Ladies Who Latte £440 and Bluebell Hill Fun Day £400. These paid for, respectively, a deep clean and coach for a day trip.
We were successful with a funding bid to renovate our accessible toilet, receiving £10,000 from the Asda Community Foundation.
Our bid to the National Lottery Awards For All fund was successful at £19835, covering our core costs once more.
We were recipients of a £806 ‘Our Weedswood’ project fund which allowed us to run two successful Family Cafes, and also received £2183 from Southern Water for further family cafes.
FINANCES
We increased the hourly rate for our cleaner to £12.21 in line with the national living wage, having budgeted for this in the lottery funding, along with volunteer expenses and a travel bursary for people who need it.
The Admin Assistant was increased to £12.50 from £12.40 upon completion of the trial period.
The £1 per person per session model still works well so we have continued with it.
We have increased the prices for new private bookings and existing community group bookings to £12 (up from £10) and £8 (up from £7).
ACTIVITIES
Our weekly programme now means the space is open for at least a morning or afternoon every day and also some Sundays.
Some sessions take place monthly, along with many one off drop in services, workshops and celebration events. We’ve welcomed a baby massage class, the Menopause Cafe, COPD Singers, Clothes Swapping, Stop Smoking Service and the Coop Estate Planner, among many more. We reintroduced our Tech HelpDesk too, and ADSS has taken over our Dementia Memory Cafe and given it new life. A new facilitator took over the Mourners Group, which has been renamed the Bereavement Support Circle.
New private bookers included the Menopause Cafe, Curry Club, A Journey Through Tea, Reiki and dressmaking workshops.
We were a venue for a new festival, Medway Women’s History Month, showing us that our plans to run similar events was workable.
Our community regularly feeds back to us how valuable they find the hub, with one stating:
“It changed my life. I used to be shut up but I’ve got a new family. I used to go drinking to find company but now I’ve found friends at the hub and I’ve not had an alcoholic drink in 4 months because I don’t need it, because I’m not on my own and lonely. Since coming here I know it is important for us to have this place to come to and stop isolation like mine. It has made me feel like a real person rather than when I was in deep depression and had too much time on my hands to think.”
STAFFING and VOLUNTEERS
We took on an Administration Assistant with responsibility for our social media, who is also handling many day to day premises issues. We have seen an uptick in engagement since she settled into post.
Our Project Manager was again a finalist in the second MVA VCSEF Leaders Awards, in the Micro CEO category.
We welcomed four new permanent volunteers, and were lucky enough to have two temporary volunteers with us for two months, who reorganised our offices and kitchen - chores we simply didn’t have time for. They also put in place the Food Management System for the Family Cafes.
Our treasurer was taken ill which had repercussions for payments we needed to make - we went old school and resurrected the cheque book. Going forward, we are adding a new signatory to the account who will access online banking.
GENERAL
We had one Trustee leave us due to caring responsibilities, while another became “official” after standing in for some time. We also added a new board member to the team, long term volunteer Jean Judge.
Our Landlord, MHS Homes, is amenable to any premises improvements we make. However, they have passed responsibility for upkeep and maintenance to us, including the electrical, gas and fire safety checks.
We had some premises issues: damp was found and much remedial work undertaken. The landlord also had a leaking roof issue, which impacted our ceiling but has since been repaired. They also replaced old strip lighting with LED lights in the office.
We are awaiting a section of road outside the hub to be made into a “drop off” zone, so those delivering and picking up less mobile visitors will be able to park more safely and directly.
SUMMARY
At this moment in time, the hub is looking robust financially and delivering on its promise to create a warm, inviting and friendly space for local residents. It also welcomes those further away who wish to access specific services we offer.