Involve Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Involve Kent, leaders in social prescribing, carer support and innovative work with children, young people and families, proudly marks its 50th anniversary this year.

Originally founded in 1975 as Maidstone Volunteer Bureau, the organisation was created to address the needs of the local community by recruiting and empowering volunteers. Half a century later, Involve have expanded its health and wellbeing services, with volunteering and support for the wider Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector still at the heart of the organisation’s mission to help people live happier, healthier lives.

As a registered charity, Involve delivers a wide range of community services, support, and activities to people of all ages and backgrounds, adopting a personalised ‘what matters to you’ approach. Through the dedication of its skilled staff and committed volunteers, alongside partnerships with the NHS, Kent County Council, and other VCSE organisations, Involve help people find hope, connection and confidence to live the life they wish.

Ambitious about the impact they can have on health outcomes and seeking a shift in attitude around mental health and wellbeing, particularly between social and clinical interventions, Involve is also at the forefront of social prescribing initiatives. They have developed an evidence-based report founded on their own research, demonstrating the effectiveness of these social prescribing in GP and hospital settings in reducing hospital stays and A&E admissions. The organisation has also been part of successful pilots and community engagement projects, including the development of Personal Health Budgets for wellbeing in children and young people, and maternity engagement in black and ethnic minority groups.

“We are thrilled to celebrate this incredible milestone” said Gary Wells, CEO. “While Involve has evolved over the past 50 years, our core values remain the same. We are passionate about empowering the individuals and communities we serve, and remain dedicated to addressing the social determinants of ill health, including loneliness, inequality, poverty, and frailty.”