The Co-operative Food - Whitstable, Cromwell Road

Westmeads is a happy, vibrant and inclusive community school in the heart of Whitstable. We provide a broad and balanced curriculum for children from the ages of 4-7. We are an integral part of the vibrant community and like to take part in all aspects of life within the town, encouraging our children to think for themselves and grow in independence. Our inspirational curriculum actively promotes our values and provides our children with a wide range of learning opportunities and experiences. We have a very mixed intake including many families who struggle with the everyday costs of feeding everyone and keeping their homes and their children clean. We already support our families in many ways, but because of the budget constraints so many schools have now, are unable to offer direct support to those families in ways that would help them most. We would love to be able to offer them practical support like food and cleaning products to make their lives easier. If any retailer is able to donate surplus groceries and/or cleaning products, we would be happy to collect and distribute to those families in need. We would acknowledge any contribution and would look to set up a working partnership with donating companies.

Street Pastors are Christian volunteers who get involved in practically responding to the problems of crime and safety in the local community of Whitstable and elsewhere in the UK and around the world. On a Friday evening, between 19:00 and 00:01 we go out onto the streets and the beaches of Whitstable to “Listen, Care and Help”. We spend time listening and talking to residents and visitors and we have a very good rapport in particular with the young people and adults who know as and trust the Street Pastors. The Street Pastors go through a thorough training package, all are DBS checked and are first aid trained. We carry a comprehensive 1st Aid kit. When on patrol, we clear up broken glass , clear away bottles, glasses and drug paraphernalia to keep the streets and beaches of Whitstable safe and clean for all. We also help persons in distress who we find or approach us. We have contact with the emergency services along with other support agencies who we can contact to help. We are recognised and always made welcome by the local shops, restaurants, take-away shops, licensed premises and door staff, taxi drivers, bus drivers, train staff, RNLI, HM Coastguard, and youth organisations along with the wider public. It has been proven by the Police and Local Authority Community Safety Unit that when we are out in patrol crime and Anti-Social Behaviour reduces. We also have a prayer team that prays for the Street Pastors on patrol and also for Whitstable and its residents and visitors. The Whitstable Street Pastor team enjoy giving back to their local community their time, skills and energy whilst being a visible presence on the streets and Beaches if Whitstable.