The Hive Thanet

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Continuous
fundraising

Our mission is to create the first of its kind national bespoke social and learning centre for young people and adults with SEND. With the facility complete, this will help set up the programmes!

£31,827 Raised of £30,193

50 Backers

105%

Back this project

This project has reached its fundraising target. It has also activated Continuous Fundraising, which means you can still donate and support the project.

Our Delivery Report

Funded on 20 June 2025 | Delivered on 24 September 2025

£31,827

RAISED

50

BACKERS

203

DAYS TO FUND

BIGGEST PLEDGE

£17,700

From National lottery

£10

MOST POPULAR PLEDGE AMOUNT

6500

people have visited this project!

The Hive Thanet CIC donated £2

79 Volunteers involved

30 m² of food growing space created

Hours of training provided

18600 Hours of training provided

2 Jobs created

NHS Kent and Medway donated £4,138

5000 plants planted

New items of equipment provided

47 New items of equipment provided

476 Days volunteering opportunities

5 Courses provided

m<sup>2</sup> of green space improved

20000 m² of green space improved

3 New community groups started

Kent County Council donated £4,138

More about our impact

The environment

We reduced our environmental impact by using eco-spec materials, LED lighting and smart controls, and by shifting learning outdoors. Horticulture and forest school promoted low-carbon habits: 20% less electricity year-on-year, 123,000 litres of rainwater harvested for irrigation, and 80% of green waste composted onsite.

The local economy

We boosted the local economy by creating jobs, buying locally, and building skills that lead to paid work. The pavilion and Hive programmes generated year-round footfall for nearby cafés, suppliers and transport, while vocational training (horticulture, catering, sport) improved the employability of SEND young people and adults.

Volunteering, jobs & education

We created a welcoming, fully accessible hub that grew volunteering, jobs and education. Volunteers led clubs, mentoring and events; new roles were created in training and support; and flexible vocational pathways (horticulture, catering, sport) helped SEND learners progress into work or further study.

Arts, culture & heritage

We made arts and culture accessible and participatory for SEND children and adults for example in our over 55, Trive for 55+ club. Creative residencies (music, theatre, visual arts) and heritage visits enabled self-expression, local pride and intergenerational connection, culminating in public showcases at The Hive.

Activity, health and leisure

We expanded inclusive activity, health and leisure through accessible sport, nature-based learning and indoor wellbeing sessions. Regular programmes in football, cycling, forest school and horticulture improved fitness, confidence and social connection for SEND children and adults.

https://www.thehivethanet.com/

The Hive Thanet CIC is a not-for-profit community interest company based in Thanet, East Kent. Our purpose is to create an inclusive, accessible hub where children, young people and adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), older residents and those with complex lives can learn, socialise and thrive together.

We are rooted on a five-acre site that includes an accessible pavilion, horticulture areas, outdoor learning spaces, cycling track and activity zones. From this base we run a range of programmes that go beyond what statutory services can provide, focusing on wellbeing, skills, independence and community connection.

Our core activities include:

A free 55+ programme for older adults and people with disabilities, offering social, physical and creative activities that tackle isolation, poor health and frailty.
A Traineeship for 19–25-year-olds with SEND, building confidence, life skills and work readiness through real tasks in catering, hospitality, horticulture and customer service.
Autistic and SEND-specific holiday provision, giving families safe, understanding spaces where their children can access activities that are paced and adapted to their needs.
Community use of our outdoor spaces for horticulture, forest school, sport and environmental projects, many co-designed with local partners.

We work closely with local special schools, mainstream schools, social care, health professionals and voluntary sector partners across East Kent. Many of our participants are referred because they are isolated, anxious, struggling to access mainstream provision, or at risk of poor long-term health and life outcomes.

As a CIC, any surplus is reinvested back into the site and services. Our team brings together experienced education, SEND, health and youth practitioners alongside volunteers and family carers, all committed to trauma-informed, person-centred practice.

In short, The Hive Thanet exists to make sure that people who are often overlooked – particularly those with SEND and older residents in deprived parts of East Kent – have a place to belong, opportunities to grow, and real chances to improve their health, skills and quality of life.

Project Owner: The Hive Thanet CIC The Project Owner takes legal responsibility for receiving and spending the funds raised and ensuring the project is delivered.