Families facing crisis across the south east will benefit from vital support thanks to a partnership between Southeastern and the charity, Safe Families.
The project will provide targeted assistance to 40 families in Hastings, Canterbury and across Thanet (Ramsgate, Margate and Broadstairs). Through a dedicated network of volunteers, families will receive emotional support, friendship, and practical help – such as respite care for children and guidance on accessing essential services.
Support may include host families caring for children overnight - particularly for parents affected by illness or mental health challenges. Volunteers also help reduce isolation by offering companionship and assisting families to navigate services like public transport.
Support typically lasts up to nine months, helping families build resilience and reconnect with their communities.
The project is made possible through a £46,600 grant from Southeastern’s Customer and Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF), which backs initiatives that deliver social value, promote equality and strengthen community wellbeing. The CCIF is part of Southeastern's wider efforts to support the communities it serves, including being the first passenger train operator to publish a Social Mobility Action Plan in 2024.
Damian Testa, Southeastern’s Head of Public Affairs, said:
“This partnership reflects Southeastern’s ongoing commitment to supporting the people and places we serve not just through transport, but by investing in initiatives that make a real difference to lives.
“By helping families feel less isolated and more connected, we’re contributing to stronger, more resilient communities across Kent and East Sussex.”
Chris Allcock, Safe Families’ Regional Director, added:
“With the support of Southeastern Railway, it is exciting to see the difference it is making for families in the local community. Sometimes a listening ear from a supportive friend makes a world of difference.”
This project is one of 11 initiatives funded this year through the CCIF, which supports initiatives that deliver social value, promote equality, and strengthen community wellbeing.
Other projects funded this year include support for disabled travellers, domestic abuse survivors, and mentoring for young people at risk.
