Circle of Friends

20/07/2026

Join us at Circle of Friends for our annnual fundraising dinner at Fredric Bistro, Maidstone on August 25th at 7pm. Call 0784337 633 to reserve your place.

11/07/2026

In memory of the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe.

Putting all political opinions aside.
We are sharing here as not many of you will know this about this lady.

The news of Ann Widdecombe’s death yesterday left me feeling sad.
The circumstances that we now know, make it all the more sad and deeply shocking.

This photograph takes me back to 2019, when we were managing the West Kent Befriending Service and we launched our Supporting Friendships campaign.

Ann had been MP for Maidstone and the Weald from 1997 – 2010, and so I wrote to her asking if she would consider becoming one of our ambassadors. Her reply was immediate. Although she was unable to attend the launch, she was more than happy to support the campaign, allowed us to use her photograph and sent the wonderful statement shown here.

Her support didn’t end there. I stayed in touch with Ann and she was always pleased to hear how things were going and remained genuinely interested in the work we were doing. When, just over a year later, we were made redundant, she took the time to send us a thoughtful message of support and encouragement. That kindness has always stayed with me.

Ann understood the impact that loneliness and isolation can have on older people, and the importance of friendship in helping to overcome it.

She wasn’t alone in that. Our ambassadors also included the then Mayor, Cllr David Naghi, and Helen Grant OBE who succeeded Ann as MP for Maidstone and The Weald. Helen was a tremendous supporter of the service then, and I’m pleased to say she remains a much valued supporter of Circle of Friends today. It was special to see people from different backgrounds and all parts of public life united by one simple belief: nobody should have to face loneliness alone.

It’s something Di and I believed then, and it’s something we still believe today through Circle of Friends CIC

Thank you, Ann, for your kindness, your encouragement and your unwavering support for our work over so many years. It meant a great deal to me personally and to everyone whose lives were touched by the service.

05/07/2026

How wonderful is this. We visit Invicta Court Care Home regularly and have seen first hand what a marvellous, caring gentleman Brian is. This award is so well deserved 🙌

🏆👏 A maintenance manager at a Maidstone care home has been recognised on the national stage after winning a top social care award.

🎉 Brian Thornton, from Care UK's Invicta Court, near the KIMS Hospital, was named "Awesome Ancillary Worker" at the 2026 Stars of Social Care Awards, which celebrate those who go above and beyond to support vulnerable people.

❤️ Brian is known for transforming residents' cherished memories into unforgettable experiences, including recreating a ship's cabin for a resident's 90th birthday to honour her journey to Hong Kong in the 1930s to marry her Royal Navy husband.

💬 "To hear my name called out as the overall winner was far beyond my expectations," Brian said. Home manager Sara Barbosa praised his imagination, dedication and the joy he brings to residents every day.

🎊 Congratulations, Brian!

28/05/2026

When a collaboration works, it really works!

This week we finally launched our first Cuppa & Chat Drop-In at the Gallagher Stadium with Stones In The Community

People were able to pop in, have a cuppa and enjoy some company. As with any first event, there’s always that moment of wondering if anyone will come. They did, and it was lovely to welcome three new members to Circle of Friends.

Before we even started, Fin, who is doing his Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award, spent the morning helping a couple of our lovely oldies with some very overgrown gardens, then came along to help set up and serve drinks. He was an absolute star.

And to finish, a walk around the Maidstone United pitch.

A really good day, and a great example of what happens when people come together. Next one is 24 June at 2pm.

25/05/2026

An invite to join us on Wednesday at our joint Circle of Friends and Stones In The Community new monthly drop in session. Details on the attached poster. Don’t be shy! You’ll be sure of a warm welcome.

14/03/2026

We are so grateful to Lidia for sharing her experience as one of the wonderful students from Invicta Grammar School who attend our Tea, Tech & Tête-à-Tête sessions.

13/03/2026

We are so very happy for our friends at Invicta Court Care Home who celebrated with a triple win at the Care UK star awards last night.

Exception Housekeeping - fantastic team work
Lifestyle Colleague of the year - well done Amy!
Maintenance person of the year - congratulations Brian!

Invicta Court have been supportive of our friendship service for over six years and host our monthly Friendship Cafe.

We always receive the best welcome and we could not be happier for them today as they celebrate their awards.

12/03/2026

Never assume.
Everyone has a story worth hearing.

‘I danced on a table in a Greek restaurant.'

'I set fire to a dorm kitchen (and never admitted it...until now)'

'I wrote a book, it was published and is still available on Amazon.'

'I met the Wombles and got Uncle Bulgaria’s autograph.'

'I used to be a baker, making hundreds of strawberry tarts for Wimbledon Tennis fortnight.'

'I met a friend in the High Street, we chatted for about 15 minutes and as I walked away, I realised it was not the friend I thought it was, I didn’t even know him!'

These are just a few of the things we discovered about our 'lovely oldies' yesterday at the at Care UK Invicta Court Care Home when we asked them to share something about themselves. Something that perhaps not many people know, something from years ago or even just last week. The stories were hilarious, surprising, and truly wonderful all at the same time.

It’s so easy to make assumptions about people, especially older people, but how wrong we can be, if only we take time to talk and listen to each other.

It reminded me that it really does because everyone has a story worth hearing.

04/03/2026

Our most recent took us to Temper Temper, a chocolate workshop just outside Tonbridge. It was a wonderful day of learning, tasting and enjoying something a little different together. There were smiles all round and plenty of chocolate to take home.
Stones in the community

26/02/2026

Recipe for Happiness with Circle of Friends

Ingredients
• A very large pinch of sunshine
• One Arriva UK Bus double decker bus
• The one and only Christian Obray
• Lovely Julie Palmer to add the finesse
• 23 wonderful, excited, lovely oldies
• Copious amounts of chatting
• A vast amount of beautiful scenery
• Five clickity walking sticks
• One motorised scooter

Secret ingredient … a generous helping of chocolate magic!

Method
Blend gently together, taking care not to curdle.
Add chocolate generously.
Stir with laughter, shared stories and a sprinkle of mischief.
Make sure volume is tuned on for the full happiness experience.

Result
23 very excited faces, a few sticky fingers, and beautiful memories made with friends.



Stones in the community