Beautiful Newenden Village
Information for any residents in need
Dear All,
Due to the Cost of Living Crisis, there is a lot of help available to Kent residents which many are not aware exists. I have put some information on the noticeboard outside of WH Smith in Tenterden High Street and there is a folder of information, for the use of residents, here in the Foyer at the Town Hall.The Welfare Intervention Officers at ABC hold drop in sessions at various locations in Ashford, at various times, which provides support to residents with any housing or benefit related issues but there is nothing here for the residents in Tenterden.Due to the fact that we have received several enquiries from residents in Tenterden who are digitally excluded and are finding it increasingly difficult to access essential services, I contacted the Welfare Intervention Officer at Ashford Borough Council to ask if they would consider holding drop in sessions for the residents here in Tenterden. I received a very positive response from Vikki Baker at ABC, who suggested the setting up of weekly/monthly drop in sessions, provided we could supply a suitable venue. Debbie and I had a Teams meeting this morning with Vikki Baker, Julie Wassen and Tracey James, at which ABC have agreed to provide weekly drop-in sessions here, on a Tuesday morning between 10am and 12pm, in the Foyer Office of the Town Hall. There will be no charge to ABC for the hire of the room. These sessions will commence on Tuesday 24th January 2023 on a two month trial. ABC were keen to hold these sessions on the same day that Citizens Advice are here in the Town Hall, so as to enable the two services to interconnect.
This service will be widely advertised and ABC will produce the promotional materials and a Tenterden specific poster, which will be publicised on social media, on our noticeboards and for circulation to The Social Hub, the Surgery, EC30, local care homes, local parishes etc. located within the Ashford Borough Council area. ABC will also contact their IT Department about the two self-help computers located in the foyer of the Town Hall, which no longer seem to be functional. If these were to be up and running, the TTC staff could at least direct members of the public, who are able to use computers, to go online with their ABC enquiries when ABC are not present here. The Welfare Intervention Officers work to support people who need help with any housing or benefit related issues. They give practical advice and can signpost people to other helpful organisations and they can help residents complete any council forms online if needed.
They can help with the following issues:
Council tax advice, including council tax debt advice;
Claiming council tax reduction or housing benefit;
Claiming discretionary housing payments or council tax exceptional circumstances payments;
General housing advice, including advice regarding rent arrears;
Referrals for homelessness advice;
General advice around claiming other benefits and support, such as Universal Credit, foodbank vouchers and other DWP benefits.
I hope this will be a really useful service for Tenterden residents and I will forward the poster and any other details when received, which are to be shared widely.
Kind regards,
Lesley
Newenden
Newenden is the smallest village in Kent and also the first village in Kent as you travel across the 18th century bridge over River Rother. It rests on memories of grander days, when its port, market and sixteen inns were an important part of the regional economy. Today it is just a small, friendly village, but the tradition of enterprise remains strong.
The village lies entirely within the High Weald AONB and the central, oldest part of the village is a conservation area in its own right. Around us we have some of the most beautiful rural landscape in the South East, so why not come and visit? Explore the village through our website and then in person - you are always very welcome to Newenden!
Statistics
At the 2001 census, Newenden had 196 inhabitants in 79 households.
At the 2011 census, the figures were 223 inhabitants in 88 households.
The surface area is traditionally said to be 1044 acres 1.63 sq mi, (about 400 ha).