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If you would like to donate by bank transfer please donate to Bank Name: Metro Bank
Name: Maya’s Community CIC
Sort code: 23-05-80
Account Number: 47609720
Ukrainian Refugee Support Hub
Ever since the start of the Ukrainian conflict Maya opened her doors to the Ukrainian community. Through her community links she was able to quickly set up a support network for families arriving and those willing to host / sponsor their visas. In partnership with the local authority Maya has helped hundreds of Ukrainian families to settle and integrate into society.
This help also extends to the host families where she can not only help with communication but also any problems that arise when relationships break down. This has led to her being on call 24 hours a day at times, supporting refugees with mental health problems get the right medical assistance.
Helping the families apply for school places , benefits , jobs etc. Her community support centre hosts a weekly support group whereby local councillors , the MP, representatives from the DWP and city council officials regularly attend the meetings.
Food bank
The food bank operated from the community support centre (20 High Street, Herne Bay)
The food bank is stocked with food items donated from local businesses, waste food from a number of local supermarkets and topped up with items purchased from Maya’s Community Interest Company (which is funded by donations and grants).
Maya's Free Shop (31 High Street) opens!
Also Maya's Community CIC is formally registered as a Community Interest Company with Companies House.
Christmas dinner ingredients were distributed for free feeding around 2,000 people in one day, from the community support centre in Herne Bay.
Father Christmas visited the Community Support Centre and distributed 1000s of wrapped presents for free.
New Years Eve Party at the Community Cafe
Free Hair dressing at the free shop in parternship with Mirage Hair and Beauty Salon commenced with the first cut.
Turkey Earthquake appeal begins with donations being accepted at Community Cafe. Over the course of the next few months 5 Articulated Lorries of Aid were sent to the Earthquake Zone.
Free Shop
Maya started collecting donated clothes items at her community support centre to assist the families settling from the Ukraine. This has spread to an entire shop of clothes, toys, bedding, blankets, beds, tents and bric a brac all donated and available for free. The free shop helps 100s of people everyday and has become very popular with people travelling from all over Kent just to see what she has created.
The concept of a free shop is unique and popular , especially given the cost of living crisis. It reduces waste and brings the community together to support one another. It has captured the attention of national news outlets who have run several stories on the shop. Kent County Council social services regularly refer families who have escaped domestic violence to the free shop where they can be kitted out with everything they need to start again. All for free.
Volunteers
The community support centre is manned entirely by volunteers (this includes the directors and Maya herself)
Contact Us
- Maya (Founder) maya@mayas.org.uk
- Maya's, 20 High St, Herne Bay, CT6 5LH
- Free Shop, 31 High Street, Herne Bay, CT6 5
- Maya's Community Support Centre & Community Cafe 01227 506607
- Maya's Free Shop 01227 687255
- Furniture bank enquiries
email andrew@mayas.org.uk