Millwall Community Trust recently received a letter from Sue Chandler praising the great work that Millwall have started in the Kent area as part of the Reconnect Programme.

Sue Chandler is the Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s services in Kent and she has applauded the work done so far by the club and Trust.

The letter read: 

Dear Colleague 

Reconnect Programme 

I am writing to thank you for supporting the Reconnect: Kent Children and Young People Programme and helping to make this a tremendous success.

Reconnect was planned to be a community-based programme delivering in every corner of one of largest authorities in the country, supporting 1/3rd of a million children and young people. And the community delivered.  Data indicates at least 725,532 children and young people engaged in a Reconnect activity of some sort, meaning on average every child aged 0-19 years enjoyed at least two activities.  

This is a phenomenal outcome. Kent’s 12 Local Children’s Partnership Groups connected Reconnect to more than 600 community groups who week in, week out provide opportunities for children and young people.  

With some extra funding these groups were able to deliver additional opportunities and support to children and young people in their own communities. 

The army of workers and volunteers, who have given their time to support children and young people, have been absolute stars and I would like to thank them all.  

Kent’s charities and community interest companies have supported our children and young people despite the pandemic resulting in their funding levels reducing by about 30%.   

We all know that the pandemic was difficult for many businesses, yet they embraced Reconnect. Their contributions made a significant difference to the County’s children and their families, and supported the local organisations who were part of Reconnect, through discounts and free opportunities, without which they could not have done so much. 

Your contribution has played an important role in helping Kent’s children and young people to reconnect to their pre-pandemic lives: 

 · their health and happiness  

· the learning they missed 

· reconnecting with friends, family and community  

· getting them interested again in sports, activities and being outdoors  

· their economic future 

I have been so proud of the incredible effort made by our community.  Our shared ambition of ensuring Kent is the best place in the Country for children to grow up and thrive binds us together to continue to deliver the very best opportunities we can.  

Thank you for giving something back to our children and young people for the sacrifices they so unselfishly made during the pandemic.  

A report of the success of the programme, its reach and impact has been presented to the County Council.  If you wish to see a copy it can be found here: https://www.kent.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/141909/Reconnect-Evaluation-Report.pdf. 

If you have any final feedback about the programme that you would like to share or have any thoughts regards what the legacy of Reconnect should be, please contact reconnect.kentcyp@kent.gov.uk. 

Yours sincerely 

Sue Chandler 

Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services