Amazing community events to start September

Published: 17 September 2025

September started with three invitations to amazing community initiatives - one in Sevenoaks and two more in North West Kent.

On the 4th, I went to ‘Neurotech 25’ at the Medway campus of Greenwich University. This was a conference about neurological diseases, described by more than one speaker as the Cinderella of the NHS, because they are so complex. With me were Councillors Nick Varley and Chloe Gustard, and we learned a lot about how community support is partnering with the NHS, and research is unravelling the problems. It’s clear that Artificial Intelligence can help with communications; Nick is experimenting with this following his MND diagnosis last year.

The Bat & Ball Centre hosted the tenth anniversary of the `Forget-Me-Not Cafés’ on 9th September. This is a charity which organises monthly events in Westerham, Otford, Hildenborough, Edenbridge and Sevenoaks for people with dementia, and their carers. Founded in Westerham in 2015, the organisation has spread steadily across the area, supported by volunteers and parish councils. It does an incredible job giving people interesting events and human contact which they might otherwise miss. There were around 100 people there, and it was extraordinary how strongly those with communication difficulties responded to music and dance.

 

   

Images above: attendees at Forget-me-not Cafés celebration and Mayor with Chair of Forget-me-not Cafés, Elaine Murray

On the 11th, ‘Protection Against Stalking’ (PAS) held its first major conference at David Salomons house in Southborough. This is charity which started in Tunbridge Wells after a local woman was stalked then killed by a work colleague in London. The victim’s mother founded the organisation - and was overwhelmed by the number of people with similar - if less tragic - stories. It has campaigned to change the law on stalking, recognising it as a crime, and for police to take effective action. The Kent Police and Crime commissioner was there - and acknowledged the need to do better. What I found frightening is that PAS get 1,000 requests for support each year - most of them in south east England. This is a problem on our doorstep.

Cllr Tony Clayton
Mayor of Sevenoaks