Kent Association for the Blind

03/02/2026

New Social Group for Dover!

A new social group for visually impaired people will be meeting for the first time in Dover on Thursday 19th February from 12pm at La Salle Verte on Cannon Street. Join us for a coffee or lunch, and a chat. Then, based on the interests of the group, we will plan where and when to meet monthly.

For more information, please contact Madeleine on madeleine.gray@kab.org.uk or call 01227 763366.

Image description:
Three people seated at a table drinking tea and chatting. Text above reads New Social Group in Dover.

03/02/2026

Sensory Support Services in Bromley – Resident Events with Bromley Council

Friday, 13 February 2026 in the café at Community House, South Street, Bromley, BR1 1RH.

Based on Service User feedback, two events are being organised. Each will last for around 1 hour and refreshments will be available at the start of the session.

* 11am - residents with vision impairment

To book and advise us of any access needs, please call KAB on 0208464 8406 or email rehab.bromley@kab.org.uk

* 1pm - residents who are deaf or hard of hearing

To book and advise us of any access needs, please email zoe.fudge-ajadi@deafplus.org

Residents with dual sensory impairment may choose the event(s) they feel are most suitable for them. A hearing loop will be available at both events. BSL interpreters will be available at the afternoon event.

From October 2026, Bromley Council will jointly commission services for residents with sensory impairments. Currently, these services are delivered separately by Kent Association for the Blind and DeafPLUS. Their current contracts end in September 2026 and Bromley Council is legally obligated to re-tender the service.

At this event, Bromley Council will share feedback from our previous consultations in 2025, showing how your views have helped shape the new service specification, so that the new joint service will be able to meet current and ongoing needs. The timetable for appointing the provider of the new service will also be outlined.

Services for residents will continue to be delivered by current providers until the new service begins.

It is requested that all attending these meetings treat everyone in the room with respect.

These events will be run on the day by Bromley Council and are being organised with the support of KAB and DeafPLUS.

09/01/2026

Join KAB and many organisations and charities, Ashford Borough Council staff and NHS frontline staff on Wednesday 21st January 10am-2pm at Swan Centre & Waterside Family Hub, Turner Close, TN24 0PQ. There will be FREE NHS health checks, housing help and advice, Fare Share Kent Family Food Bank food items including fresh fruit and vegetables, FREE hygiene items from The Hygiene Bank, financial support, mental health support and Dementia support services.

Anyone who attends will be able to benefit from guidance on shopping, preparation and cooking healthy, nutritious meals. There will also be information on where and how to access local food banks along with community venues who offer free, pay as you feel or very reasonably priced meals in a social setting.

Residents will also be given recipe bags with all ingredients to take home to make a recipe along with instructions.

For more information and list of all organisation attendees, visit: https://www.ashford.gov.uk/cost-of-living-help/support-from-ashford-borough-council/eat-well-spend-less-and-wellbeing-roadshow/

Image description:
Poster for the roadshow. Image shows a heart jigsaw with four pieces. One shows vegetables and fruit. One piece shows money in a person's hand. One shows two people seated next to one another and chatting. The last piece shows a group of people smiling. Title of the poster reads: Eat well, spend less and wellbeing roadshow. The subtitle reads: Providing you with resources, support and opportunities to thrive in all aspects of living.

FREE health and wellbeing support for residents this January

Kick off the new year by giving your wellbeing a boost by joining our next Eat Well Spend Less Wellbeing Roadshow. It takes place on 21 January 10am-2pm at Swan Centre & Waterside Family Hub, Turner Close, TN24 0PQ and provides residents with additional Cost of Living and wellbeing support.

Funded by the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and completely FREE, the event brings together a range of partner organisations including frontline Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust staff and Ashford Borough Council officers, outreach organisations and charities, in one easy-to-access place.

Everyone is welcome to pop along and with OVER FIFTY attendees confirmed, there will once again be a wide variety of services on offer with ABC officers and our partners looking forward to helping and supporting as many people as possible. At a glance services include:

• NHS Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust - offering free health check & MOT’S.
• Fare Share Kent Family Food Bank food items including fresh fruit and vegetables
• Safeguarding, energy, housing and benefit advice from Ashford Borough Council
• Financial support, help and advice including from the Department for Works and Pension
• Mental health and dementia support
• Ashford Volunteer Centre, Citizens Advice and Ashford Mediation Service

For the full list of attendees on the day and for more information on our roadshows visit our website: https://orlo.uk/z8t8f

06/01/2026

Until 28th February, we'll receive a donation for every person who signs up to Give As You Live. Simply sign up and then do your grocery shopping, insurance switches and other online purchases and we'll receive donations every time you shop...at no extra cost to you! https://www.giveasyoulive.com/join/kab

Image description:
A laptop open on the Give As You Live website page. Text reads: Make a difference in 2026. We'll get a free donation when you sign up and keep receiving donations when you shop! Below are logos from companies like Sainsbury's, Tesco, EBay, John Lewis, Compare the Market. Text at the bottom reads: £35M raised.

06/01/2026

With a little help from her helper, our Children's Worker Jen gets into the festive spirit by singing and dancing with Santa at the Rare Breeds Centre Grotto.

06/01/2026

It seems a long time ago, but we're still thinking of all the fun we've had over the Christmas period.

The children we support went to see Santa at the Rare Breeds Centre on Saturday 20th December. Organised by our Children's Worker, Jen, 25 families attended.

The group attended the last grotto session of the day. The families were in good spirits and happy to take part and enjoyed the snowball fight against Santa and the elves. Jen tells us: "Oh yes, they encouraged my bad singing yet again, but this time I was joined by Harrison, who did a great job dancing and singing with me!" [we'll post the video soon!]

Here's some lovely comments from our families:

"This has become a tradition for us and we look forward to it every year!"

"Thank you for yesterday seeing Santa, it was lovely as always."

"Thank you so much, George had the best time...even though he tried to pull Santa's beard off!"

"Thank you again for having us!"

"I think what you do at the KAB is really great!

"Thank you for a brilliant day out yesterday it was amazing! We all really appreciate it and have such a great time!"



Image description: A collage of five photos from the Christmas Grotto at the Rare Breeds Centre. Photos show all the children with their parents seated on hay bales, Jen at the front with their entertainers, George meeting Santa, KAB staff with Santa and his helpers and Jen preparing to dance at the front with Harrison and Santa.

05/01/2026

Every journey tells a story: Participants required for research study exploring the lived experience of visually impaired women who are survivors of domestic abuse from a male partner.

- Are you a visually impaired woman over the age of 18?

- Are you a survivor of domestic abuse from a previous relationship with a male partner?

- Are you interested in life stories as a way of increasing awareness and social change?

I am a PhD student studying with the University of Brighton School of Humanities and Social Sciences. I am currently seeking participants for my study exploring the lived experience of visually impaired survivors of domestic abuse from a male partner.

What will the study involve?

- The study will involve telling your story about being a survivor of domestic abuse.

- The study will offer an opportunity to take part in an optional creative writing activity.

Who can take part in the study:

- Visually impaired women who are survivors of domestic abuse from a male partner.

Additional criteria:

- Due to the nature and sensitivity of the topic being researched, anyone with a diagnosed mental health condition would not be advised to participate in the study.

- Due to the likelihood of participants talking about difficult memories, anyone who is experiencing anxiety or stress would not be advised to participate in this study.

If you would like to find out more about the study and how you can get involved, please contact me: m.bevan2@uni.brighton.ac.uk

I will be happy to tell you more about the study and answer any questions you may have.

Thank you
Martia Bevan
Doctoral researcher
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
University of Brighton
This study has been approved by Cross-School Research Ethics Committee C, BREAM reference number 15071

Image description: An illustration showing two females talking, with speech bubbles overhead.

02/01/2026

We're looking for volunteers to join our Fundraising Team to collect donation boxes from various locations throughout the area, such as pubs, shops and clubs. All travel expenses will be covered. You may be asked to collect from your stores either when the box is full or (dependent on the location) it could mean four times or twice a year.

Desirable skills but not essential – good numeracy skills, organised, trustworthy and ability to travel independently across the area you cover.

If you're interested and can cover one of the following areas, please get in touch: Canterbury, Deal, Herne Bay, Whitstable, Maidstone, Sittingbourne. Fill out our volunteer interest form: https://www.kab.org.uk/get-involved/support-us/volunteer-interest-form

Image description:
A red collection tin, with a KAB label with our logo. Text in boxes to the right reads: Collection Box Helpers wanted: Canterbury, Deal, Herne Bay, Whitstable, Maidstone, Sittingbourne.

01/01/2026

What's in store for 2026? Do you have any New Year resolutions?

Here's a list, in case you need inspiration!
- Volunteer: become a befriender, collection box helper, driver or help with our social groups
- Hold a bake sale: we'll send you lots of items to make your bake sale a success and help raise money for KAB
- Do a 5K run...or walk! we have many fundraising events you can take part in, from 5Ks to marathons!
- Join the KAB lottery: you could win up to £25,000!
- Book an eye test: get an eye test at least every two years.

Make your 2026 a great year!

Image description:
Notepad with a list of New Year's Resolutions, including volunteer, hold a bake sale, do a 5K run or walk, join the KAB lottery, book eye test, heave a great year!

01/01/2026

Happy New Year to you!

Image description:
2026 hanging from the top. In the background are fireworks. Text in bold handwritten text reads: Happy New Year

30/12/2025

Are you looking for a rewarding way to give back to your community? We are seeking friendly, reliable volunteer drivers to take people to and from a weekly social group, which meets on a Thursday in Maidstone from 10am until 2pm.

The people who attend the group are visually impaired and without the kindness of our volunteer drivers, they would be unable to attend the group. We provide full training and ongoing support to all our volunteers.

If you want to make a real difference, please call our Volunteer Co-ordinator, Jo Wilkinson, on 07469 154570 or email jo.wilkinson@kab.org.uk

Please note: A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required and applicants must have a full driving licence and be willing to use their own car to transport our clients.

For more information, or to apply online, visit: https://www.kab.org.uk/get-involved/support-us/volunteer-vacancies

Image description:
A man leans out the driver's car window and puts his thumb up. The car is blue. The KAB logo appears top left and the text in a red rounded box below reads: Volunteer drivers wanted.