History

KCU was originally founded in 1984 to provide education, training, and support for the unemployed, unwaged, and low-income households of Kettering and the surrounding areas. Over the years, we have become well known locally for offering free courses, guidance, and practical help to people facing social and economic disadvantage, acting as a valuable community resource.

Until 2006, it was known as the Kettering Centre for the Unwaged and Unemployed, when it was relaunched as a registered, not-for-profit charity (registered charity number 1131360) with a formal governing structure and a broad charitable aim to relieve poverty, advance education, and support community wellbeing in Northamptonshire.

Since becoming a charity, our services have expanded significantly. In December 2014, the organisation established the foodbank network in partnership with Trussell, providing emergency food to local individuals and families experiencing crisis.

In 2016, KCU introduced Mentoring/ Befriending services to support people to reduce barrier that have prevented them moving forward, these barriers may have also created loneliness, isolation, and social barriers, the mentoring offering regular 1:1 support alongside guidance into specialist services.

In 2019, KCU further extended its support with the addition of Crisis Support, providing both practical assistance and one-to-one advocacy to help individuals manage immediate challenges and access wider services. Most recently, in 2024, the Financial Inclusion Project was launched to assist people with debt, benefits, and financial planning, helping them access advice and reduce barriers to stability and independence.

Today, we continue to provide a comprehensive range of services and support, including education and training, furniture up- recycling, foodbank provision, crisis support, mentoring and befriending, and financial inclusion. The charity operates with a focus on community partnership, advocacy, and practical support, and has adopted the working name Kettering Community Unit (KCU Ltd) to reflect its wider remit across the Kettering area.