About Communigrow: communigrow.co.uk

Kent Police has given £1000 to two local charities that work in the Ashford and Romney Marsh areas.

Ashford district commander Chief Inspector Hayley Spedding presented the cheques for £500 each, from the Kent Police Property Fund, to Joining Hands and CARM.

Joining Hands is an Ashford-based, not for profit organisation, creating sustainable projects to benefit disadvantaged communities in Kent. One of the projects involves the young unemployed restoring unwanted computer equipment.

Appledore-based CARM (Caring All together on Romney Marsh) supports the elderly living in rural communities. Among the activities organised by the charity’s volunteers are reminiscence sessions in residential homes; meetings in the villages that reach more than 200 people and befriending for those older people who find it difficult to get out of their own homes.Cheque presentation to Romney Marsh charity CARM.

The Kent Police property fund is generated from the sale, at auction, of unclaimed lost property and items seized in police operations.The proceeds raised at these auctions are then presented to local charitable groups that work for the good of the local community.

Pictured above are Chief Inspector Hayley Spedding with Angela Naschetti and Betsy Aidinyantz from Joining Hands and right with Emma Wiltshire, Clive Looker and Nigel Dixon from CARM.

Build IT now have PC’s and IT Equipment available via their Ebay Shop.

Build IT Ebay Shop For IT Equipment

Visit The Build IT Ebay Shop.

Either gardening in the summer or collecting computer equipment in the winter or having French and Italian exchange students who are trying or improve their English; Joining Hands has allowed me to experience a new range of different activities and people, and also experience the difficulties of working within the voluntary sector.

I believe I have dramatically grown in confidence throughout this placement and Betsy’s understanding has allowed me to venture in different aspects of social care that originally may not have been possible. This has further improved my confidence and has increased my knowledge and experience of social care; this is vital for my future profession of social work as it is never clear where I will end up or what I will be faced with. Therefore, being able to have the most experience in as many places as possible, has enabled me to feel comfortable facing more challenging situations.

Kerry Cheeseman

My name is Camille, I’m a French student.

I attend a vocational high school called Vincent de Paul in Avignon, studying for a BTEC in accountancy.

I had four months of training over two years including one month in England.

I did my work experience at the company Joining Hands in Ashford, Kent. It’s a social enterprise whose aim is to empower communities especially within informal skills training.

During my placement I researchedon the Internet the associations in London and in the south east. It made me discover new ideas for help people and the social side of England. I can compare with the France.

I researched also the missing equipment for the laptop repair like battery, charger or hard drive. I had to compare the price and the supplier, and it’s close to my training as an accountant. The surf on Internet has deepens my English. I have to learn and understand the website to make a good job.

I didn’t have the opportunity to speak too much English with the volunteers because each had many works and not enough time.

I like this association’s idea that it helps with social inclusion and the learning for all. Concerning “The Great Big Computer Drive” people are giving many types of equipment. I think it’s encouraging for the future.

I enjoyed the contact with people during the events in the different cities for the collect of computers.

I observed the functioning of a English business and two different lifestyle.

Finally this stage will have been a very good experience and I am very happy to it have done in Joining Hands.

Camille Masia

I attend a vocational high school called Vincent de Paul in Avignon, studying for a BTEC in accountancy.

I spent a month on work experience for a company called Joining Hands in Ashford in the county of Kent in the UK.

The purpose of my work experience in England been to speak English and discover the English company.

I enjoyed working for this company because it is an association with good idea and is very open.

During my placement I researched on internet on association in London and south east of UK.

I researched too for the computer equipment, I compare prices of suppliers.
I enjoyed the contact with people during the demonstrations in various cities to collect computers.

I have learned the words of technique that the company employs.

Margaux Escoffier,  France.

Our partners Dodd’s PC Repairs  at The Enterprise Hub at The University of Kent in Canterbury will be accepting donations all of this year.

Please email info@builditkent.co.uk for more details.

Build-IT are presently busy logging and testing the vast amount of equipment we have received. We will publish details of what is available very soon.

Donations can also be made at our offices in Ashford

Calling all computer owners.
Joining Hands is teaming up with BBC Radio Kent


and we need your help.

We are collecting unwanted computer equipment to be restored and donated or resold at a minimal cost to those who need it. The machines will be refurbished by young unemployed people, giving them essential skills and a sense of purpose.

We will be hosting special collection days across Kent all month, so there should be one near you.

(dates and locations below)

We’re looking for laptops, desktop computers, software, mice, keyboards, monitors, printers, dongles and mobile phones, even cables and chargers. Anything you can give, although preferably under five years old.

All hard drives will be safely and securely disposed of.

We’ll be at the places listed opposite. Thank you for your donation – we look forward to meeting you!

The BUILD IT – Drop off Points will be

4th January: Thanet

Westwood Cross, Broadstairs

11:00 – 16:00

Located between Next and Claire’s Accessories in the Community Hub

6th January: Tunbridge Wells

Royal Victoria Place

09:00 – 18:00

Upper Mall, between Goldsmiths and Mothercare

11th January: Folkstone

Bouverie Place

11:00 – 16:00

Between TK Maxx and New Look

13th January: Chatham

Pentagon Centre

11:00 – 16:00

Near entrance to Wilkinsons and Store 21

18th January: Ashford

County Square

11:00 – 16:00

Shop unit next to Burger King

20th January: Gravesend

St Georges Centre

11:00 – 16:00

27th January: Canterbury

Whitefriars

11:00 16:00

Gazebo in the centre of square

28th January: Maidstone

Chequers Centre

11:00 – 16:00