KCU exists to reduce poverty and social/economic disadvantage in Kettering and the surrounding area through practical support, advice pathways, learning, and inclusive volunteering opportunities.

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If you are looking to GET HELP or GIVE HELP,
please click the main menu links at the top of this page.

Otherwise please enjoy exploring our new website, which we hope will explain what we do,
who we do it for, who we have helped in the past, how we operate
and tell you more about our partners.

What does KCU mean ?

We asked a number of our volunteers what KCU meant to them, this is just a few of their answers.

As you will see, it really is one big family of like minded people all working together to better the lives of the disadvantaged people of the Kettering area.

How do we help people ?

  • Black and white illustration of a cardboard box filled with various grocery items, including a baguette, a bag, a bottle, a jar, a can, and a snack bag.

    Foodbanks & low cost shops

  • A drawing of a desk with a computer monitor, a keyboard, four stacked closed books, and an open book.

    Education & training

  • A sketch of a central hand with rays extending outward, surrounded by icons representing a person, an open book, a heart, a gear, a speech bubble, and a plant, symbolizing concepts such as community, learning, love, technology, communication, and growth.

    Inclusive volunteer pathways

  • Sketch of a broken heart, a speech bubble, and a person icon.

    Crisis support

Suzy’s story:-

Once unsure about returning to education, she completed core subjects with KCU’s support and later qualified as a teacher in early years education.

She now refers families to KCU, helping others begin their own journeys

Alice’s story:-

Following her husband’s illness, Alice faced sudden income loss. KCU helped her navigate benefits, provided food support, and offered emotional guidance.

This joined-up help ensured stability during crisis and supported the family’s recovery.

Adam’s story:-

After receiving food and furniture support, he began volunteering in KCU’s furniture shop. Encouraged by staff, he joined skills building courses, developed confidence and eventually secured paid employment in retail.

Adam went on to plan a new local foodbank that reflects KCU’s values of dignity and inclusion.

A digital flyer from Kettering Community Unit promoting community engagement with a call to action to sign up for updates, featuring a tree logo at the top, a sign-up button, and an envelope icon at the bottom, on a green background.

Working effectively with out partners provides a better overall experience for our mutual customers.

We are delighted to be part of the ICS* development and delivery
(represented at local area forums and the VCSE** ) engagement group.

We are also partners in the North Northamptonshire homelessness forum; Northamptonshire sustainable food network; and the VCSE assembly mental health subgroup.

This helps to ensure that we all provide a comprehensive service and support to those in need.

If you are interested in working in partnership with KCU please contact Sylvia McLevy, sylvia.mclevy@kcultd.org.uk

*Integrated Care System

**Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise

Our Partners

Logo of the Garfield Weston Foundation with a blue square containing a white 'W' and the foundation's name below in blue text.
Logo of North Northamptonshire Council featuring green hills, a river, trees, and a castle silhouette.
Logo of Trussell Trust with green and black text that reads "Trussell" and "Ending hunger together".
Logo with four colored icons and the words 'disability confident employer'.
Logo of a community fund featuring a smiling hand gesture and the words "Community Fund" in pink and black text.