The Bay Project history

In 2003 The Salvation Army in Herne Bay received a substantial legacy for the purpose of a ‘significant project’ for the children and young families of Herne Bay.

With this in mind, Captains Chris & Paula Carré along with the Salvation Army Community Church began the task of discovering what God wanted this ‘significant project’ to look like! Through much advice sought from various partners in the church, community and a lot of prayer; eventually with the help of Mr Paul Sanderson MBE, in 2008 The Bay Project was born.

Office space was secured at The Baptist Church’s Friendship Centre and in February of that year, Mr Simon Jamison was employed as the Project Manager. In the following July, Miss Ellen Deighton and Mrs Rebecca Swansbury were employed as the Youth work and Parent and Family Support Worker respectively.

The first year of the project was a steep learning curve for all involved as existing church programmes were inherited and new initiatives commenced. It was very much a year of listening to the needs of the people, building strong foundations with partnerships and then developing that information into practical help.

In June 2009, Mrs Alison Gray continued the work which Rebecca had begun as she said goodbye to the project, however in a much more developmental role of new initiatives.

We work closely with many churches in the area, and have volunteers from the Salvation Army Community Church, Herne Bay Baptist Church and the Canopy Church as well as working alongside with Christ Church too.

We also work with Kent County Council youth service for multiple projects, and with the Connexions Service.

We work in local schools, including Herne Bay High School, Spires Academy and Community College Whitstable and also in partnership with The Poppy Children’s Centre and Herne Bay Youth Centre

We also work with Talk of the Town Nightclub, the Public Safety Unit and Kent Police.

The Bay Project is a legacy funded initiative, for The Salvation Army to serve young people and families of Herne Bay in practical ways and to find hope and fulfilment for their future.

The Salvation Army Trust: Registered Charity No. 214779, and in Scotland SC009359.