History of Maidstone Young Families
 
Maidstone Young Families was founded in January 2006 by young parent; Kama McKenzie, as a response to the need for social support for young parents in the local area. The first group ‘Tiny Toes’ opened in Parkwood originally in The Healthy Living Centre (now Fusion Cafe) on the Parkwood Parade, moving to its current home at Heather House in 2008. The second group ‘Little Rascals’ opened in the summer of 2006 due to the over welcoming response from young parents wanting to attend the group to meet new friends, get support, and learn new ways to engage with their children. When the organisation formed as ‘Maidstone Young Families’ is stated clearly in its constitution what it would be run by young parents for young parents, training its members in all that is necessary to run the groups, become members of the management committee, and manage their affairs.
Since starting the organisation has also run ‘Mini Munchkins’ as social support group in Mangravet which ran for 2 years at St Hillary Hall. Run a number of courses and training for its volunteers and members including; an OCN in Community Involvement-Volunteering Skills, Paediatric first aid, Child Protection, Risk Assessment, VRH Reading with your children, Healthy eating cookery courses, Stress Management, Assertiveness and Health and Safety.  

                                           
    
Over the 4 years that Kama McKenzie ran the organisation, funding was secured from Awards for All  from the national lottery, KCC local members’ grants, local schemes grants, parent’s week grants, and MBC members grants. This helped to pay for core costs, training and also to provide trips to Leeds Castle, Farming World, Wear m out, London Aquarium, and even a young parents only trip to London’s West end to see Blood Brothers.  The organisation also raised large sums through its own fundraisers to support these grants to pay for the activities and events. The organisation holds annual Halloween and Christmas parties for all young parents and their children with fun for all the family.

                                

In 2008 as a response to the need of the young parents for further education, building confidence and self esteem, the committee wanted to start looking at the possibilities of another group. With the support and partnership of Kent Youth and UK Youth, Kama McKenzie volunteered to run Movers and Shapers a 2 year project working with young parents on a BTEC in peer education. The young parents were to engage with young people to improve their health services, choosing early on to focus on sexual health services for young people and health services for young parents.  The project is coming to a close at the end of 2010 after a great success.
Kama left the organisation at the end of 2009 to pursue a new project working with young parents to help them achieve their goals whiles teaching young people the realities of young parenthood. Leaving Maidstone Young Families in the hands of the Management Committee.

In 2010 Jade Bell took over the role of Chair of the Management committee and has since focused on fundraising for core costs.