MVA

14/10/2026

What difference can one volunteer make? ❤️

Over the past six years, MVA's Befriending Service has been built on thousands of small acts of kindness.

A friendly conversation.
A warm welcome.
A listening ear.

The people who gave their time helped create opportunities for friendship, connection and belonging for those experiencing loneliness and isolation.

One volunteer described their experience by saying:
💬"Being part of this was rewarding. Seeing the community spirit and the smiles on everyone's faces made all the hard work worth it."

Thanks to volunteers, people have made new friends, grown in confidence and become part of supportive communities. Many have gone on to support others themselves, creating a ripple effect of kindness and connection.

MVA are proud to celebrate every volunteer who helped make it possible, and incredibly grateful for their hard work and commitment to their community.

📢 We'd love to hear from you. If you've volunteered with the service, tell us about your favourite memory in the comments.

12/10/2026

EXCITING NEWS: MVA HAS BEEN SHORTLISTED! 🏆🎉

We are incredibly proud to announce that we have been shortlisted for the Radical Collaboration Award at the Social Value Awards 2026!

The nomination recognises our Community Power and Self-Organising Sessions (CPSOS), which brought together Macmillan Cancer Support , NHS Kent and Medway , and voluntary and community organisations from across Medway and Swale.

Together, partners explored how community knowledge, trusted local relationships and genuine co-creation could help support the earlier prevention and diagnosis of cancer.

This national recognition belongs to everyone who contributed their time, experience and ideas. It shows what is possible when communities, health partners and voluntary organisations work together as equal partners. 💚

A very special thank you to MVA’s Growth & Engagement Team, who worked extremely hard to create and submit our fantastic award entry!

The winners will be announced in Liverpool on 3 December 2026, so please keep everything crossed for us! 🤞

👏 Congratulations and thank you to all the wonderful organisations and individuals involved.

https://conference.socialvalueportal.com/awards -collaboration

12/10/2026

"I remember what it felt like to be new, looking for help and friendship to ease my loneliness." ❤️

After six years of MVA's Befriending Service, we're reflecting on some of the stories behind the friendships, support and connections that have made such a difference.

When Don's wife moved into a dementia care home, caring had taken it's toll. After months of providing round-the-clock care and surviving on only two hours of sleep each night, Don’s own health had begun to deteriorate. He had become socially isolated, having lost many friendships during the years he spent caring for his wife.

Through MVA's Befriending Programme, Don found friendship, support and a welcoming community.

He began attending activities regularly and said he felt "energised" after sessions. Over time, he became an integral part of the group, helping new members feel comfortable and supported when they arrived.

Today, Don describes how happy the service made him.

"I feel very well in the group. Keep up the good work! I’m more than happy
with this!"

His story reminds us that the Befriending Service was never just about the activities themselves, but building the confidence and connections of all involved to build a happier, healthier future.

As we look back on the legacy of the Befriending Service before it comes to a close, we're proud of the thousands of moments of connection it has helped create over the years.

❤️ If this story resonates with you, follow the campaign and share this post so more people can hear the stories behind six years of friendship and connection.

08/10/2026

A picture is worth a thousands words - and these show 6 years of friendship!

Look back with us at some of the moments that made MVA's Befriending Service so special.

From group outings and cream teas to bingo, seated exercise, craft activities and horticultural therapy sessions, thousands of moments of connection have been created through this service over the years.

These photographs capture more than activities.

They capture new friendships, a return of confidence, and people finding their place in our community again.

One member told us:

💬"This has been a life saver for me as I have multiple new friends and do not see next winter as being as lonely as the last one."

As we reflect on the incredible legacy of the Befriending Service and the difference it has made over the past six years, we'd love to hear from you.

❤️ Do you recognise someone in these photos? ❤️ Have you attended a befriending activity? ❤️ Do you have a favourite memory of the service?

📢Share your memories in the comments and help us celebrate the incredible friendships and connections that have been built along the way.

07/10/2026

Worried about rising energy costs? You’re not alone.

Our lovely Energy Navigator Nichola has spoken to KentOnline about our Energy Redress programme - helping people make their homes warmer, more affordable, and navigate the challenges of rising energy bills. You can speak to her too if you'd like help to:

✅ Cut energy costs
✅ Make energy-saving improvements at home
✅ Access grants and support schemes
✅ Get to grips with smart meters, comparison sites and online tools

📧 Email
[email protected] , or call us on 01634812850 to find out more.

This comes as the energy regulator Ofgem has increased the maximum price providers can charge for gas and electricity, meaning millions of people across the county are facing soaring bills.Sophie Denny has the story.

06/10/2026

FREE Community Family Fun Day at Bligh Primary School!

To help build stronger connections with the local community and learn more about physical activity across Medway, MVA and Active Kent & Medway are hosting a free Community Family Fun Day at Bligh Primary School https://www.facebook.com/www.blighprimaryschool.co.uk

📅 Thursday 22 October 2026
📍 Bligh Primary School, Bligh Way, Strood, Kent ME2 2XJ

There will be something for the whole family to enjoy, including:
🎨 Arts and crafts
🎯 Fun games and activities
🤝 Opportunities to meet others in the community
💬 A chance to share your experiences of physical activity in Medway

The event is open to children and family members of all ages and is completely free.

Choose from two sessions:
🌞 Morning session: 11am to 12.45pm
Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/2002526833666
🌤️ Afternoon session: 1.15pm to 3pm
Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/2002531320085

Spaces are limited, so please book early and reserve a place for everyone attending.
For more information, contact [email protected] or call 01634 564 939.
MVA Active Kent & Medway academy trust armstrong

Join us for Community Fun Day - Session 1, a chill in-person hangout with games, snacks, and good vibes!

06/10/2026

What can six years of friendship achieve? ❤️
Over the next few weeks, we'll be celebrating the incredible legacy of MVA's Befriending Service.

MVA stands for empowering people, and giving them the tools to build a happier, healthier life.

For six years, the Befriending Service has helped people across our communities find friendship, confidence, support and connection when they needed it most.

Through group activities, social outings, exercise sessions, games, gardening projects and countless conversations, people who were feeling isolated not only found a place where they belonged, but were supported into finding the places, people and tools so they could stay connected well after the project comes to a close. 🌻

Some of the impact we've seen includes:
✅ 59% of participants reporting improved mental wellbeing
✅ 60% improving their social connections

But the real impact can't be measured in numbers alone.
It's the new friendships formed. It's the confidence rebuilt. It's hearing someone say:

"Being together with new friends was wonderful."

Over the coming weeks, we'll be sharing stories, memories, photographs and celebrating the people who made this service so special.

❤️ Follow our Befriending Campaign and help us celebrate six years of connection, friendship and community.

06/10/2026

05/10/2026

💫 Funding opportunity: Young Medway Core Memories Fund, Cohort 2
Armstrong is sharing an exciting funding opportunity from Young Medway for local voluntary and community organisations supporting young people aged 14 to 25.
The Core Memories Fund will distribute £70,000, with grants of up to £5,000 available to help organisations create meaningful activities and experiences for young people across Medway.
Funding can support positive and memorable experiences that:
✅ Build confidence
✅ Strengthen a sense of belonging
✅ Create opportunities for enjoyment
✅ Give young people a voice in shaping activities
✅ Help young people connect, participate and thrive
Cohort 2 is particularly relevant to organisations supporting care-experienced young people, young people with SEND or who are neurodivergent, LGBTQ+ young people, and those at risk of exclusion. Current information states that participating organisations may have an annual income of up to £250,000.
Could your organisation help young people create lasting memories? Find out more and apply through Young Medway:
🔗 https://youngmedway.org/
Please share this opportunity with voluntary organisations, community groups, youth workers and local partners across Medway.
Medway Council Smith Foundation