Kenward Trust

27/02/2026

Could you help transform trauma into hope?

At Kenward Trust, we’re proud to be at the forefront of residential addiction treatment and now we’re expanding our counselling team.

We are recruiting a Qualified Counsellor (Level 4+) with EMDR UK accreditation and experience in addiction support. Since introducing EMDR in September 2025, we’ve seen first-hand the powerful impact this trauma-focused therapy can have for residents in early-stage recovery. The results have been truly inspiring.

Many of the individuals we support have experienced significant trauma alongside substance misuse. By offering EMDR alongside our 12 Step Programme and Recovery Model incorporating SMART, we’re giving residents real choice in their healing journey.

If you’re an innovative, compassionate practitioner who wants to make a meaningful difference, all while working in a beautiful Kent countryside setting, we would love to hear from you.

• Closing date: 20th March 2026
• Apply by downloading the application form and full job description and sending your completed form to jane.wenban@kenwardtrust.org.uk

Learn more and apply here:
https://kenwardtrust.org.uk/current-vacancies/qualified-counsellor

Join us in transforming lives and creating new futures.

26/02/2026

We’re absolutely thrilled to share that our new Chair of Trustees, Simon Webster, is featured in the March edition of Kent Life Magazine

In the interview, Simon talks about his passion for giving back, his vision for Kenward Trust, and his commitment to strengthening our impact across Kent. From championing trauma-informed recovery to expanding our Thinking Differently campaign in schools, his leadership marks an exciting new chapter for our charity.

With a sharp eye for strategy and a heart for community, we’re so grateful to have Simon guiding us as we continue transforming lives and creating new futures.

You can read the full interview in the March edition of Kent Life Magazine or on our blog https://kenwardtrust.org.uk/news/kent-life-magazine

26/02/2026

As preparations continue for the Kenward Trust Will Change Lives Youth Charity Ball, we’re still looking for additional auction prizes to help maximise our fundraising on the night.

We are particularly seeking:

• Unique experiences
• Luxury or premium gifts
• Hospitality and travel packages
• Generous product or voucher donations

Every contribution makes a real difference and helps us continue protecting and empowering young people across Kent and Medway.

If you or your business can donate, please get in touch with the Kenward Trust team here.

Email: rhian.hopkins@kenwardtrust.org.uk

25/02/2026

✨ Fully Funded Wellbeing Group – Stress Relief with TRE™ ✨

Feeling stressed, tense, or overwhelmed? Join our free weekly TRE™ sessions and discover simple, body-led exercises that help release tension, calm your nervous system, and support overall wellbeing.

📅 Fridays | 10:00am – 11:30am
📍 St Faith’s Community Centre, Monktons Lane, ME14 2PY

What to Expect:
✅ Gentle exercises to release stress & stored tension
✅ Supportive, safe group environment
✅ Guidance from a Certified TRE™ Provider

What is TRE™?
TRE™ (Tension & Trauma Release Exercises), developed by Dr. David Berceli, helps your body naturally shake off stress and return to balance.

Book your place: email sian.williams@kenwardtrust.org.uk

Please share with anyone who might benefit.

25/02/2026

Kenward Will Save Lives Charity Ball, Saturday, 7th March 2026!

“Reaching 65,000 pupils is an incredible achievement, but it’s also a reminder of how much need there still is. Prevention works when it starts early.”
– Penny Williams, CEO, Kenward Trust

Every ticket sold helps Kenward Trust reach more young people before crisis hits.

Join us for a powerful night of celebration, impact and fundraising.
• Saturday 7th March 2026
• Mercure Hotel, Great Danes Maidstone

Book now:
https://kenwardtrust.org.uk/events-booking/p/kenward-will-change-lives-ball-pre-sale

24/02/2026

“I just wanted to say that it was so strong for coming out here and doing what you do, because I can't imagine how difficult it is to speak to a group of kids that you don't know and tell them about the difficulties you go through. But it really made me think about my future and I realised that I don't ever want my mum to go through what you have to go through. I don't want to go through it either when I have children.”

Are you a teacher or youth group leader looking to educate young people about the consequences of substance misuse?

Think Differently is our award-winning alcohol and substance education programme for schools in Kent and Medway, designed to help young people 'Think Differently' about the risks and real-life consequences of alcohol and drug misuse, including relationships, peer pressure, crime, addiction and emotional wellbeing, while also sharing messages of hope and positive change.
Please press play and share!

Find out more and book here: https://kenwardtrust.org.uk/services/think-differently

19/02/2026

Just over 2 weeks to go – and a proud milestone to celebrate!

This year marks 10 years of Think Differently, Kenward Trust’s award-winning education programme delivering honest, non-judgemental conversations about substance misuse, wellbeing and resilience in schools across Kent and Medway.

Demand continues to grow, and new programmes like Think Differently Junior are helping reach young people even earlier.

Your ticket helps make this possible.
• Saturday 7th March 2026
• Mercure Hotel, Great Danes Maidstone

Buy tickets now:

https://kenwardtrust.org.uk/events-booking/p/kenward-will-change-lives-ball-pre-sale

18/02/2026

Calling local businesses and supporters!

We’re seeking prize donations for the charity auction at the Kenward Trust Will Change Lives Youth Charity Ball this March.

Stand-out experiences, premium gifts and generous product donations are especially welcome.

Your donation will:
• Be showcased to our guests on the night
• Support life-saving prevention work with young people
• Help fund our Think Differently education programmes

If you’d like to be involved, we’d love to hear from you.

Email: rhian.hopkins@kenwardtrust.org.uk

17/02/2026

Some messages stay with you long after you’ve left the room.

Last week, Governor Ella Sandall from East Kent Colleges Group experienced our award-winning Think Differently programme firsthand, and described it as “incredibly powerful.”

Delivered by Kenward Trust, Think Differently provides honest, evidence-based education about the risks and consequences of drug and alcohol misuse. Through lived experience and real-life testimony, Andy shares his recovery journey, while Kim bravely speaks as a mum who lost her son to drugs.

The result? A room you could “hear a pin drop” in.
Not shock tactics, but real conversations, compassion and credibility that help young people truly reflect on the ripple effect of one decision.

Our CEO, Penny Williams, shared,
“We are so proud of our Think Differently programme, delivered in schools and colleges throughout Kent and we are keen to continue expanding its reach in response to growing concerns around substance misuse.”

As both a Governor and a parent, Ella believes programmes like this should be welcomed into every school and college.

If you’re an educator or organisation wanting to empower young people with informed, safer choices, we would love to hear from you.

Learn more: https://kenwardtrust.org.uk/news/east-kent-colleges-group-governor-praises

16/02/2026

What happens when young people hear the truth, not statistics, but real stories?

We were grateful to read a recent reflection from Jonathan Neame, The High Sheriff of Kent after he attended a Think Differently session at Canterbury College.

He spoke about the honesty of Andy’s story, how drug use led him into crime, homelessness and despair, and how the kindness of others helped him rebuild his life. Today, Andy shares that experience so young people can understand the reality behind one bad decision.

Jonathan also listened to Kim Webster, who bravely spoke about losing her son Will after a life-altering choice. Her courage in sharing that loss helps young people understand the real impact addiction can have on families and communities.

These stories are not easy to tell, but they are powerful, and they make a difference.

Think Differently is about honest conversations, education through lived experience, and helping young people make safer, informed choices.

If your school or college would like to find out more about Think Differently, please visit:

https://kenwardtrust.org.uk/services/youth-work

16/02/2026

Kenward Trust was featured on BBC Radio Kent this morning, discussing our fundraising partnership with the Kent Charity Trek and why this work is so important.

The trek will help raise funds for the Kenward Trust’s Think Differently schools programme, which brings honest, real-life education about drugs, alcohol and risky behaviours into more classrooms across Kent and Medway. At a time when we are seeing worrying trends in youth substance misuse, early education can genuinely save lives.

You can listen to the interview here - (1 hour and 30 minutes into the replay):
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002r569

Every donation helps reach another young person, another school, another family.

And if you would like to support the trek or join us, please visit:
https://kenwardtrust.org.uk/kent-trek-2026

14/02/2026

The Benefact Group Movement for Good giving programme is back and it’s a wonderful opportunity to support the causes you care about most.

By nominating Kenward Trust, you could help us secure a £1,000 donation to continue supporting people affected by addiction and homelessness across Kent.

• It takes just one minute
• Completely free to nominate
• Every nomination helps us provide hope, recovery and a fresh start

Please take a moment to nominate Kenward Trust and help us transform lives.

https://movementforgood.com/draws/1000/?cn=1146481&ct=community

Together, small actions can create life-changing futures. Thank you for standing with us.

Nominate a charity for a Movement for Good award now.