This week we celebrated two members of staff who have worked for the Kenward Trust for 20 years! They have both had various roles across the Trust, and their wisdom and years of experience has proven to be invaluable and a huge asset. Both members of staff were surprised with flowers, a M&S Voucher and an individual cake which was delicious.

Allison Summers joined the Grey Zebra team in July 2000. Grey Zebra was an outreach project working with young people in various Kent communities from Sevenoaks to Maidstone. Activities would include outings and games to encourage involvement and communication amongst young people who often needed that extra support. Safety in Action and Snap were all part of the programme. The project ran for approximately 10 years.

Allison qualified as Therapeutic Counsellor in 2009 and has been an integral part of our Therapeutic team for many years now. She is now Manager of our Volunteer and Student Counsellors and also coordinates our Friends, Family and Loved Ones Support Groups .

Allison actually marked her 20 years amidst the pandemic so it was lovely to surprise her and celebrate properly today, hence the 21 3/4 years on her cake!

Maria White celebrates 20 years this Friday. She also joined the Grey Zebra team as an outreach youth worker and then joined the Drug Intervention Support Programme, a multi agency initiative. She has since supported our first stage residential project as an administrator and is now working closely with our residents supporting them with their benefit claims, assisting with any issues.

John Shanley, Manager of the Youth projects, made a lovely speech, thanking them for their years of hard work. John was also part of the original team and surprised them both with their favourite sweets from those days as well as some most interesting tales!

Finally, we read out a message from Tina Mills, who no longer works for the Trust but was part of the original team and remembers them both fondly; in particular how important food was to prioritise as part of the day-to-day activities!

A big thank you from all the Kenward family to both Allison and Maria xx