PAST PROJECTS

Ashford Together began in 2018 as the Charity Community and Social Action branch of Churches Together in Ashford...

Ashford Together began in 2018 as the Charity Community and Social Action branch of Churches Together in Ashford (CTA)- a collaboration of churches in Ashford, working together to support and love the people of our town in really practical ways. 

Before we became Ashford Together, CTA initiated and supported other community action programmes in the town- some of these are still running as independent charities or are being run by national charities. Here are some of our past projects!

Ashford Winter Night Shelter

Ashford Winter Night Shelter began in 2015 when Ashford Churches Together looked to provide a warm and safe environment, as well as food, for the rough sleepers in Ashford during the coldest months of the year (December-March). The programme accommodated over 120 individuals and was powered by over 300 amazing volunteers working from 7 church sites rotating each night. Guests were given love, and support in other areas of their lives, looking to ensure it was more than just a practical provision.

The Pandemic caused the suspension of ACWNS 2020/21, but Ashford Borough Council were able to find accommodation  for the rough sleepers under the Government’s “Everyone In” programme.

We hope that there won’t be a need for ACWNS going forward, although the repercussions of the pandemic may see job losses and homelessness increasing dramatically.

Ashford Together will remain ready to partner with Ashford Borough Council to respond to on-going needs, as we look to more sustainable Co-Living plans to see our town thrive.

Ashford YMCA

Ashford YMCA started out in the late 1990s as the Ashford Town Christian Youth Worker Project but became Ashford YMCA in 2002. Ashford YMCA ran children’s and youth projects across East Kent.  In Ashford this started in 2003 with a Summer Play Scheme and went on to include a ‘Junior Youth Inclusion Programme’; school breakfast and after school clubs; playground support; alternative curriculum for excluded pupils and detached work in local villages.

Changes in local and national policies in 2007 ended most of the work, and YMCA Thames Gateway took over the alternative curriculum work and now provides 3 units of supported accommodation for 9 young adults at risk of homelessness.

Ashford Street Pastors

Ashford Street Pastors is part of the national Street Pastors Charity associated with Ascension Trust, it launched in Ashford in 2010 instigated by Churches Together in Ashford and now runs independently.

They partner with local police and Ashford Borough Council to be an active presence on the streets of Ashford during peak night-life times. They have 2 teams active most Friday Nights– The Street Pastor Team are out and about keeping the community safe in Ashford. They stop and chat to anyone they meet, caring; listening and helping (where appropriate), whilst supporting a peaceful presence on the night-time streets of Ashford. The Prayer Pastor Team are back at base (The Beacon Centre) praying for our town, and for the safety of the people in it. 

Food Bank

Churches Together in Ashford supported the set up of a Trussell Trust Foodbank in Ashford in 2012. In 2014 we had the opportunity to hand operations over to FareShare who were looking to set up a Kent regional centre.  FareShare continue to be vital partners with churches in and around Ashford, providing food for thousands of families across the borough.

Food Bank

Churches Together in Ashford supported the set up of a Trussell Trust Foodbank in Ashford in 2012. In 2014 we had the opportunity to hand operations over to FareShare who were looking to set up a Kent regional centre.  FareShare continue to be vital partners with churches in and around Ashford, providing food for thousands of families across the borough.

Ashford Street Pastors

Ashford Street Pastors is part of the national Street Pastors Charity as part of Ascension Trust, it started in Ashford in 2010 instigated by Churches Together in Ashford and now running independently.

Partnering with local police and Ashford Borough Council to be an active presence on the streets of Ashford during peak night-life times. They have 2 teams active most Friday Nights– The Street Pastor Team are out and about keeping the community safe in Ashford. They stop and chat to anyone they meet, caring; listening and helping (where appropriate), whilst supporting a peaceful presence on the night-time streets of Ashford. The Prayer Pastor Team are back at base (The Beacon Centre) praying for our town, and for the safety of the people in it. 

Winter Night Shelter

Ashford Winter Night Shelter began in 2015 when Ashford Churches Together looked to provide a warm and safe environment, as well as food, for the rough sleepers in Ashford during the coldest months of the year (December-March). The programme accommodated over 120 individuals and was powered by over 300 amazing volunteers working from 7 church sites rotating each night. Guests were given love, and support in other areas of their lives, looking to ensure it was more than just a practical provision.

The Pandemic caused the suspension of ACWNS 2020/21, but Ashford Borough Council were able to find accommodation  for the rough sleepers under the Government’s “Everyone In” programme.

We hope that there won’t be a need for ACWNS going forward, although the repercussions of the pandemic may see job losses and homelessness increasing dramatically.

Ashford Together will remain ready to partner with Ashford Borough Council to respond to on-going needs, as we look to more sustainable Co-Living plans to see our town thrive.

Ashford YMCA

Ashford YMCA started out in the late 1990s as the Ashford Town Christian Youth Worker Project but became Ashford YMCA in 2002. Ashford YMCA ran children’s and youth projects across East Kent.  In Ashford this started in 2003 with a Summer Play Scheme and went on to include a ‘Junior Youth Inclusion Programme’, school breakfast and after school clubs, playground support, alternative curriculum for excluded pupils and detached work in local villages. Changes in local and national policies in 2007 ended most of the work, and YMCA Thames Gateway took over the alternative curriculum work and now provides 3 units of supported accommodation for 9 young adults at risk of homelessness.