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Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury serves lunch during his visit with Caroline Welby to the Catching Lives Open Centre as part of the national Big Help Out. Photo credit: Neil Turner for Lambeth Palace. 08 May 2023 
Photo credit: Neil Turner for Lambeth Palace. 08 May 2023 
Caroline Welby and volunteer Joyce in the kitchen at Catching Lives. Photo credit: Neil Turner for Lambeth Palace. 08 May 2023 
Justin Welby with staff, volunteers and clients at Catching Lives. Photo credit: Neil Turner for Lambeth Palace. 08 May 2023
Coronation bank holiday, 8 May, saw Big Help Out events taking place around the country to promote volunteering with charities and community groups. We were pleased to welcome our patron, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, and his wife Caroline. They joined regular volunteers Eddie and Joyce to help in the kitchen, serve lunch and chat with people using the day centre.
Activities for well-being
We’re delighted to have a Hope Community Arts Fund grant for Nervous Drawing & Painting workshops in May and June, led by artist Alex Boican. Unlocking the creativity of our clients, the project aims to improve well-being and mental health. Artwork from these sessions will be displayed at Catching Lives before joining an exhibition at the Turner Contemporary.
A new gardening project is underway in partnership with Herne Bay in Bloom, involving clients in making the most of our outside space. We’re looking for additional funds to continue this work all summer long – please get in touch if you’re able to help.
Thanks to David Sworder from The Corner House, Canterbury and Lizzy Douglas from The Black Pig, Deal for leading cookery classes in the day centre kitchen.
Out and about
Thank you to everyone who’s invited Catching Lives to speak about homelessness and our work – The Association of Men of Kent and Kentish Men, Royal College of Nursing East Kent branch, and Herne WI. If you’re looking for a speaker for your group or event, let us know: press@catchinglives.org
Catching Lives will have a stall at this year’s Canterbury Pride on 10-11 June, come and say hello!
Calling community fundraisers!
You can help us to support people experiencing homelessness, 365 days a year. Choose a sponsored activity like a run or hold an event like a bake sale. We can help with ideas and materials, boost your social media, set up your fundraising page – let us know what you need. Donations of all sizes make a real difference to keeping our doors open for everyone who needs us in these challenging times.
Our Chief Executive, Tasmin, is being sponsored to walk 100 miles in May via a series of routes in East Kent. She’s walked about 47 miles so far, plenty of ground still to cover! See our Instagram and Twitter feeds for updates, and donate here.
And finally thanks to Claire Taylor for running the London Marathon and raising over £600, awesome work!
