A youth club which provides a "home away from home" in a deprived part of Kent has been awarded funding to widen its services.

Two Singlewell police community support officers secured the cash from Gravesham council's community safety unit for Strengthening Minds Gravesend community hub.

PSCO Maria Pereira said: ‘"The club offers an important space for young people in the community to come together, support one another and have fun.

"The money is going to be put towards various items including buying new cutlery for their kitchen, a pool table and various craft activities so I am really pleased that we have been able to obtain the extra funding for the club as it is certainly going to be put to good use."

Alongside PCSO Shamar Appleby, PCSO Pereira noticed there were not many activities for young people during their community work.

But the hub in Warrior Avenue is one of four community centres in Kent run by Strengthening Minds who host different sessions and invite external organisations to use their facilities.

The £230 will help expand what's on offer.

Annmarie Frenchum, manager of the Ashford, Gillingham, Gravesend and Sittingbourne hubs, said: "It is a home away from home. It is a place to relax, to come up and have a cup of tea.

"It is a resource that a lot of people do not have in every single community. They do appreciate the centre."

The community hubs are located in converted houses, in areas of low employment and deprivation.

Annmarie added: "These areas need community hubs and we are right there.

"People know that when the blinds are up or windows are open, they can come and knock. They trust us and know they can come in."

She suggested that since the pandemic - where more people lost their jobs - and the change in Universal Credit, many have been struggling when they would not have been.

Earlier this year, the Gravesend hub received a food and fuel support grant of £2,000 from the local council to distribute amongst the community - 50 residents were able to benefit.

Annmarie recalled: "People have said it came at the right time. I had people say 'I was struggling and did not know how to make my bills'.

"People have struggled when they would not have before. With grants, we can support more people that need it."

Funding like this is served on a first-come, first-served basis and the manager said it was upsetting it went so quickly as not everyone who needs it can benefit.

She added: "It is disappointing these funds have to even exist."

The community hubs host coffee mornings, youth clubs and food bank distribution which anyone can attend and use for free.

They invite organisations to use the hub to increase the sessions on offer, although some may have a small attendance fee as they work to look at each area individually and provide what is best for them.

The youth clubs are the most popular which cater for two different age groups and include a multi-sport collaboration provided by Olympia Boxing.

Annmarie concluded: "We support, help and encourage everyone."

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend