What you can do to help make sure everyone can be seen, be heard and belong this winter

Support our work while you shop!

Doing your Christmas shopping online?  With Easy Fundraising you you can raise money for bemix every time you shop and it doesn't cost you anything extra.

Find out more and support bemix every time you shop!

Come along to one of our festive events. 

This year, our Discovery Catering group are holding a Festive Pop-Up Cafe on Tuesday 11th December at Westgate Hall, Canterbury.  Not only can you escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre in the spacious Westgate Hall, but you can enjoy a homemade vegetarian/vegan lunch or sweet treat. The group has also been researching eco-friendly Christmas craft and decoration ideas and will be sharing these ideas on the day.  Click on the image below for event details.

If you are looking for an eco friendly gift for someone, or fancy treating yourself at the same time as supporting progressive social enterprise, you might want to buy one of Eco Shed's handmade wooden items or artworks.  Eco Shed will be popping up at a number of fairs over the next few weeks including at Canterbury Christ Church University's event celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Monday 3rd December from 11am-3pm. The fair will be in Augustine House.

Eco Shed will also have a stall at the vibrant Christmas Market at Westgate Hall on Saturday 15th December.  Click on the image below for more information.

We know there are loads of other projects, individuals and organisations out there doing great stuff to make sure everyone has a good sense of belonging at Christmas.  If our events and products aren't quite what you are looking for, you might be interested in buying from or supporting one of these instead. Please use the comments below to share your links to other organisations helping people to be seen, be heard and belong. 

Here are a few of our favourites:

Social Enterprise

Abbey Physic Community Garden

- A community garden in Faversham run by and for the community with a focus on improving and supporting mental health and wellbeing. Garden members produce and sell a range of products from handmade, lathe turned and carved wooden homewares, jams and chutneys, candles, botanical soaps and cards.

The garden also provides a safe, welcoming space for people to come together and connect.

Arthouse Meath

 - A charity presenting the artistic talents of adults living with learning and physical difficulties who require varying levels of support. You can find their unique and beautifully crafted soaps, chocolates, tea towels and cards at a range of shops.  We've seen them in a number of Oxfam shops and at indie art shop 19 Preston Street, Faversham.

Better Considered

 - Earth, animal and people friendly soap producers. Employing people in the UK who are visually impaired, disabled or disadvantaged.

Support

Catching Lives

- An independent charity aimed at supporting the rough sleepers, homeless and vulnerably housed in Canterbury and East Kent; those who have, for many reasons, fallen through the gaps in society and feel they have nowhere else to turn.

SATEDA (Support and Action to End Domestic Abuse)

 - Swale based charity providing direct access to support, advocacy and advice for victims of domestic abuse through a range of services.

Samaritans

 - Confidential emotional support, 24/7. For anyone in distress, despair or who needs to talk. Freephone.