Partnerships and Projects
Local Groups in Maidstone Borough
Local Groups | Contact email and website | Description |
| Allington Alligators | A group conducting monthly organised litter picks in the Allington area of Maidstone for over 12 years, contributing to the community’s cleanliness and environmental health. | |
| Allington Millennium Green Trust | The Allington Millennium Green is managed by the Allington Millennium Green Trust, a group of volunteers whose main purpose is to create and maintain the area where people can enjoy nature and wildlife. Regular volunteering opportunities. | |
| Bearsted Climate Action Network (CAN) | Bearsted CAN is about bringing together like-minded people from Bearsted and the surrounding area who want to work together to face the Climate and Ecological Emergency. | |
| Bearsted Woodlands Trust | Bearsted Woodland Trust protects and maintains 26 acres of woodland and meadow, restoring and enhancing a natural habitat for animals and plants and providing a place of recreation for visitors. Regular volunteer workparties. | |
| Boughton Monchelsea Parish Litter Pickers | A parish initiative with over 30 volunteers who regularly collect litter throughout the parish, ensuring that almost every street remains clean. | |
| Communigrow | A registered food education charity focused on reconnecting people to freshly grown food, the environment it comes from and the soil it grows in. They aim to teach people from all walks of life how to grow their own food and reconnect with nature. Get involved in seasonal tasks and activities. | |
| Dandelion Time | A nature-based charity that works with children and their wider family to overcome issues and difficulties. Dandelion Time helps them find opportunities for change and rebuild relationships while creating happy memories along the way. | |
| Fant Wildlife Group | A community group committed to the conservation and enjoyment of Fant Nature Reserve. They organise events, educational activities, and habitat management projects. | |
| Friends of South Park | The Friends of South Park are a group of volunteers that help to maintain and improve the park. It started 14 years ago and you can join for £2.50 per year. | |
| Friends of Weavering Heath | info@fantwildlife.org.uk www.fantwildlife.org.uk | Friends of Weavering Heath and Woodlands was formed by Boxley Parish Council in 2017 and organises regular local task days and litter picks. The group includes local Weavering and Grove Green residents working with Boxley Parish Council and our parks department. |
| Friends of Whatman Park | Friends of Whatman Park are a group of volunteers who meet to run task days, including conservation work such as pond dipping, building bat boxes and tree planting. | |
| Fusion Healthy Living Centre | chloehubbard@fusionhlc.org.uk www.fusionhlc.org.uk | A community hub in Parkwood. Offering information, advice and support to residents and the wider community. Fusion work with Maidstone Borough Council to offer residents use of a thermal camera to identify insulation needs in their homes. |
| Gurkha Nepalese Community Group | In partnership with Maidstone Borough Council, this group undertakes monthly litter-picking activities to support the local community. | |
| Hayle Park Nature Reserve | A local nature reserve supported by volunteers and organisations, including Maidstone Borough Council and Tovil Parish Council. The reserve offers opportunities for community involvement and environmental education. | |
| Hollingbourne Meadows Trust | vcsmembership@btinternet.com www.hollingbournemeadowstrust.co.uk | The Meadows Trust cares for the countryside in Hollingbourne, planting and preserving meadows, hedges and trees. Encouraging biodiversity of plants and animals, and making most of its land freely accessible for all to walk and enjoy. |
| Kent Scouts Lower Grange Farm | volunteering@lowergrangefarm.org.uk www.lowergrangefarm.co.uk | Kent Scout's activity centre at Lower Grange Farm is run by an amazing team of volunteers but there is always room for more! They have acquired an extra 30 acres of land and have big plans for the future, so now is a great time to get involved. |
| Kent Wildlife Trust | A conservation charity managing nature reserves across Kent, including areas within Maidstone Borough. They offer various volunteering opportunities in habitat management, species monitoring, and educational outreach. | |
| Maidstone and Kent Wildlife and Organic Gardening Group | An online wildlife & organic gardening group based in Maidstone. Wildlife gardens are for nature conservation, whilst organic gardening aims to produce good nutritious food. The founder has been involved in both types of gardening for many years and is keen to share knowledge online. | |
| Maidstone Climate Action Network (CAN) | A community association set up to coordinate and manage events and activities in Maidstone that can help address climate and environmental issues. They have regular meetings and events, including Maidstone's Repair Cafe on the first Saturday of each month at Lockmeadow. | |
| Maidstone Eco Hub Group | A group that holds monthly meetings to discuss topics related to the climate emergency in the Maidstone and central Kent area. | |
| Maidstone Litter Pick | A community group organising regular litter-picking events around the Maidstone and Barming areas. They provide equipment and coordinate clean-up efforts to maintain local cleanliness. | |
Maidstone River Park Partnership | A collaboration between public, private, and voluntary sectors aiming to enhance the River Medway and its surroundings through a variety of environmental and community projects. | |
| Marden Wildlife Group | A local wildlife group in the low weald of Kent, focusing on collecting detailed information about the wildlife in Marden for scientific research and to inform conservation decisions. | |
| Medway Valley Countryside Partnership | A non-profit organization based in Maidstone, dedicated to environmental conservation in the boroughs of Maidstone, and Tonbridge and Malling. | |
| Mote Park Fellowship | The Mote Park Fellowship is a group of volunteers who look after and maintain Mote Park in cooperation with Maidstone Borough Council. Covering over 180 hectares, the park is freely accessible to the public and requires constant work to maintain. | |
| Rewilding and Regenerative Farming Kent | racoleman@cix.co.uk Facebook Group | This group is for anyone in Kent interested in Rewilding their own land, no matter how big or small. The group also discuss rewilding as a conservation method generally. They are working on a project to restore a small area of degraded chalk grassland in Wouldham, and are in need of volunteers. |
| Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Maidstone Local Group | The RSPB local group for the Maidstone area. RSPB local groups are a great way to meet friendly, like-minded people in your area while learning more about birds and other wildlife. | |
| Valley Conservation Society | vcsmembership@btinternet.com www.valleyconservation.org.uk | Valley Conservation Society protect and enhance the valleys of South Maidstone for the benefit of residents, wildlife and visitors. There are regular work parties volunteers can join.. |
| Vinters Park Community Centre Litter Picks | This group organises community litter-picking events to maintain the cleanliness of the Vinters Park area. | |
| Vinters Valley Park Trust | A registered charity managed by local volunteers dedicated to conserving Vinters Valley Nature Reserve. Efforts focus on habitat preservation, wildlife monitoring, and public education. | |
| Walderslade Woodlands Group | Walderslade Woodlands Group is a volunteer group that help maintain the three valleys and five plateaux that make up the Walderslade. The group has regular volunteer task days. |
Kent & Medway Air Quality Partnership
By transitioning to sustainable travel options we can reduce air pollution in Maidstone. The council is committed to improving the quality of the air that we breathe in Maidstone and is taking the lead in implementing a variety of projects to achieve this goal. Visit our Clean Air for Maidstone website to find out more.
We're working closely with other local authorities and Kent County Council as part of the Kent and Medway Air Quality Partnership (KAMAQP) to develop the best practice in tackling air pollution in Kent. We try to work on joint projects where we can to improve air quality across the county. You can find out more about the partnership at Kent Air.
Join us for Maidstone’s annual Eco Hub – a pop-up information centre packed with inspiration, advice, giveaways and activities to help you live more sustainably and reduce your carbon footprint. Discover local opportunities to support the environment, enjoy free eco-crafts, take part in talks and walks, and spin the wheel to win sustainable prizes for your home and garden! Last year residents asked us to trial the Eco Hub in different locations, so we have taken this onboard and will be delivering events in different spaces within Maidstone.
Green Homes Bearsted
Saturday 18 October | 2pm
Madginford Hall, Egremont Rd, ME15 8LH
Thinking about making your home more energy efficient? Join the Green Home Safari!
Explore real homes in Bearsted that have undergone sustainability upgrades — from solar panels and heat pumps to insulation and more.
Register free: Registration for Green Homes: Bearsted 2025
Maidstone's Eco Hub 2025 events
Friday 24 October | 10am – 5pm
Creative Maidstone – Arts Hub 2–4 Granada House, Gabriel's Hill, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6JR
Drop-in Info & Advice Stalls:
· Maidstone CAN – Join your local Climate Action Network
· Recycling Advice & Support – With MBC Environmental Services
· Energy, Welfare & Cost of Living Support – With MBC Communities Team
· South East Water – Save water and reduce your bills
· Solar Together – Learn about Kent’s solar and battery group-buying scheme
· Thermal Camera Demo – See how heat escapes from your home
10am – 12pm – Plastic Bottle Fish Upcycling Creative craft activity using recycled materials – fun for all ages!
2pm – 4pm – Design Our Recycling Truck Art competition open to all ages. Maidstone residents only are eligible to enter for a chance to win a £250 prize!
Monday 27 October | 2pm – 5pm
Creative Maidstone – Arts Hub 2–4 Granada House, Gabriel's Hill, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6JR
Drop-in Info & Advice Stalls:
· Maidstone CAN – Get involved in local climate action
· South East Water – Water-saving tips and support
· Energy, Welfare & Cost of Living Support – With MBC Communities Team
· Thermal Camera Demo – Try it out and learn how it can help at home
2pm – 5pm – Design Our Recycling Truck Art competition open to all ages. Maidstone residents only are eligible to enter for a chance to win a £250 prize!
Tuesday 28 October | 10am – 5pm
Creative Maidstone – Arts Hub 2–4 Granada House, Gabriel's Hill, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6JR
Drop-in Info & Advice Stalls:
· Maidstone CAN – Local climate action opportunities
· South East Water – Water-saving advice
· Mid Kent College – Green career advice
· Thermly – Green tech options for your home
· Solar Together – Solar and battery group-buying scheme
· Energy, Welfare & Cost of Living Support – With MBC Communities Team
· Thermal Camera Demo – See how your home holds heat
10am – 12pm – Make a Bird Feeder Craft activity for all ages – help support local wildlife!
12:30pm – 1:00pm – Wellbeing & Wildlife River Walk Join One Maidstone’s Business Crime Manager for a guided, accessible walk along the River Medway. Learn about river safety and local wildlife. Meet at the Eco Hub venue on Gabriel's Walk at 12:20pm
2pm – 5pm – Design Our Recycling Truck Art competition open to all ages. Maidstone residents only are eligible to enter for a chance to win a £250 prize!
Wednesday 29 October | 10am – 12pm
Creative Maidstone – Arts Hub 2–4 Granada House, Gabriel's Hill, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6JR
Drop-in Info & Advice Stalls:
· Recycling Advice & Support – With MBC Environmental Services
· Energy, Welfare & Cost of Living Support – With MBC Communities Team
· Maidstone CAN – Join the Climate Action Network
· South East Water – Save water and lower your bills
· Solar Together – Learn about Kent’s solar scheme
· Thermal Camera Demo – Try it out and get energy-saving tips
10am – 12pm – Design Our Recycling Truck Art competition open to all ages. Maidstone residents only are eligible to enter for a chance to win a £250 prize!
Sunday 9 November | 10am – 4pm
Mote Park Education Space Next to the café and playground, Maidstone (///What.Three.Words)
Join us for a special Eco Hub event in the heart of Mote Park! Enjoy a full day of free, family-friendly activities and discover how you can live more sustainably while supporting local wildlife and the environment.
All-Day Free Craft Activities – Open to all ages:
· Make a Bird Feeder – Support garden wildlife
· Make a Bug Hotel – Upcycling fun for pollinators
· Poppy Seed-paper Poppy – A special Remembrance Sunday craft
· Design Our Recycling Truck – Art competition open to all ages (Maidstone residents only eligible to win a £250 prize)
Drop-in Info & Advice Stalls:
· Maidstone CAN – Get involved in your local Climate Action Network
· Thermly – Green tech advice for your home
· South East Water – Save water and reduce your bills
· Thermal Camera Demo – See how your home holds heat
· Cleaning with Meaning – Eco-friendly cleaning tips and tricks
· And more to be confirmed!
Home Efficiency Giveaways
Saturday 1 November – Sunday 26 November
Fusion Healthy Living Centre
2 & 3 Cobb Way, Parkwood, Maidstone ME15 9XF
Trinity Church
Trinity Church 20 Church St, Maidstone ME14 1LY
Maidstone Community Support Centre
39-48 Marsham Street, Maidstone, ME14 1HH
If you require further information about any of these events or giveaways, please get in touch:
Email: ClimateAndBiodiversity@Maidstone.gov.uk
Telephone: 01622 602561