Entering the Swale Business Awards for the first time in 2019 is the Fenner Frost Foundation – a Sittingbourne-based charity that supports people with learning disabilities to develop the skills they will require for paid employment. This is done through a second-hand vinyl record shop, which is situated in Sittingbourne Town Centre.
CEO Alison Fenner-Loftus founded the charity in 2016 and since then has grown the number of students that the Fenner Frost Foundation supports to 16. During the three-years that the charity has been operating, they have taken over larger premises for their shop “RPM” and have fostered very close relationships with a local special needs school, as well as raising their profile in the local community.
Alison discussed how it was that the Fenner Frost Foundation supported its service users: “We are deeply committed to providing meaningful opportunities to people with learning disabilities, and our students get involved in all aspects of running a shop. This provides invaluable experience in areas such as identifying and sourcing stock, serving customers, dealing with enquiries and handling money. Not only does this develop skills to help find long-term employment, but it also dramatically builds confidence.”
Alison entered her organisation into the Swale Business Awards as she wanted to raise awareness of what the Fenner Frost Foundation does: “Over the last three years it has been my delight to watch our students gain confidence and self-esteem. With the profile that the Swale Business Awards has, winning an award would give us a tremendous platform to spread the message of who we are and what we do to throughout the Swale community and hopefully help our charity gain even more support.”
30 West Street
Sittingbourne
ME10 1AP
07551 843 177
www.fennerfrostfoundation.org.uk