insideKENT Magazine Issue 101 - September 2020 | Page 123

NEWS NON-REPAYABLE GRANTS TO HELP BOOST THE CREATIVE SECTOR GRANT RECIPIENT ROSE BAINBRIDGE, PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER, CRANBROOK HEART OF KENT HOSPICE OFFERS FREE BEREAVEMENT ADVICE FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES Heart of Kent Hospice has reached out to its corporate supporters and suppliers by producing a free bereavement in the workplace resource, which as well as being personally emailed to businesses and suppliers, is available on the charity’s website, www.hokh.org. The hospice is aware that during these uncertain times, many businesses may have colleagues who may have lost a loved one either through coronavirus or a terminal illness. The ‘Bereavement in the Workplace’ resource is designed with practical information and advice, to help businesses support colleagues compassionately and sensitively when they are going through a bereavement. Claire Whybrew corporate partnership manager said: “We’ve kept in close contact with all of our corporate supporters and suppliers over the past few months. We know that they face many challenges, yet despite all of this, they have continued to support us, their local Hospice. In conjunction with our Family Services Team we wanted to acknowledge that we are here to help them. Together our corporate partnership manager and family support team manager have produced this bespoke resource. We hope that it will enable business leaders and line managers to provide their colleagues with compassionate support.” If you would like more information about the ‘Bereavement in the Workplace’ resource, and how your business can work in partnership with Heart of Kent Hospice, please contact Claire at [email protected] or call 01622 790195. What do new kilns, cameras, metalworking equipment, websites, laptops and online platforms for festivals all have in common? They are all items the South East Creatives project has helped to fund. Over 160 companies and sole traders have been supported by the project that has continued to operate throughout the pandemic. Companies from Kent, Essex and East Sussex can apply for grants, workshops/mentoring or internships, with South East Creatives offering 35% grant funding for businesses in the digital, creative and cultural sector. The grants are designed to help businesses grow with the ‘Top Up’ Grants (for spending between £3K - £4K) proving popular for businesses taking that next step or diversifying at this unpredictable time. This ambitious programme is stimulating economic development and is seeing success stories every day. Kent’s local co-ordinator, Philippa Wall, said: “Having this resource to support our sector during this uncertain time means recognising what is needed and responding. It is likely businesses are digitally translating the way they would usually work within their projects, and they may need new equipment to do this.” To check your business’ eligibility to apply for a grant or workshop/mentoring visit www.southeastcreatives.co.uk 123