Kingston First, the town centre’s Business Improvement District (BID), has announced Refugee Action Kingston’s (RAK) Employment Hub, will receive £11,250 of funding to provide vital employment and volunteering opportunities for refugees through partnerships with Kingston’s local businesses.
The funding is part of Kingston First’s Town Centre Community Fund which aims to encourage and support ideas and projects that have a positive impact on the town centre, support local businesses, and promote positive community engagement.
This year’s funding pot was £30k with other successful applicants of the fund delivering the following for the town, local businesses and the community:
1. Mural Festival by The Royal Borough of Street Art (£10,000)
Bringing local, national, and international street artists to Kingston, along with interactive workshops for the community.
2. Habitats & Heritage Festival (£6,750)
A weekend celebrating Kingston’s nature and heritage, including a bat walk, bug hotel workshops, and an interactive QR code trail in local businesses.
3. Kingston Association for the Blind – Town Centre Accessibility Support (£1,500)
Funding a team of trained volunteers to assist blind and partially sighted residents and visitors in navigating Kingston town centre.
4. Kingston Artists Open Studios (KAOS) – Annual Art Exhibition (Fusebox) (£500)
Supporting the promotion and venue hire for KAOS’s major annual exhibition, showcasing the work of local artists.
“We were blown away by the quality and diversity of applications for this year’s Town Centre Community Fund. This funding will support local businesses by plugging gaps in staff shortages while giving local refugees new opportunities. Our town offer and experience will be enhanced with a new habitats and heritage festival and focus on inclusivity with funding to support blind and partially sighted people coming into town. We continue to champion and celebrate art with funding for Kingston Open Arts Studios annual exhibition and a new Mural festival, creating a legacy for the town and reinforcing its position as a destination for arts and culture which we hope will draw in locals and visitors from far and wide.”
“We’re delighted to receive a grant from Kingston First towards our employment and volunteering hub initiative. This grant will help us to reach out to many local businesses and employers in Kingston and match them with our clients whose lives will be transformed through stable employment and financial independence. We’re also looking forward to working with many members of the Kinston First Town Centre community! ”
A Growing Legacy of Community Impact
Kingston First’s Community Fund continues to grow, supporting community-driven projects that enrich the town centre, drive footfall to local businesses, and foster inclusivity. Last year’s fund supported initiatives focused on safety, heritage, and the arts, and this year’s recipients continue that legacy with an even broader impact.
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