Swale Borough Council has confirmed that its community support events will continue throughout 2026 to help residents in Sittingbourne and elsewhere in the borough with the rising cost of living. These monthly roadshows, run under the One Swale banner, offer a one-stop shop where people can get help with energy bills, council tax, benefit checks and debt advice. The council decided to extend the programme after assisting nearly 1,000 residents over the last two years.
The next Sittingbourne event is typically held mid-month at the Heather House Community Hub; residents should check the council’s One Swale calendar or news page for the confirmed February date. People can usually attend as walk-ins without an appointment and speak with council officers and partner organisations, including Citizens Advice and the Department for Work and Pensions, who attend the sessions to help people claim entitlements and find ways to reduce monthly costs.
Beyond financial advice, the roadshows also distribute practical items such as food and hygiene parcels provided by Swale CVS and the Salvation Army. Cllr Hannah Perkin, chair of the Housing, Health and Communities Committee which oversees the programme, said the aim is to bring help directly into neighbourhoods so residents do not have to travel far for assistance.
Originally run as a short-term trial, the roadshows were prioritised as a permanent part of the committee’s 2025/26 budget because of high demand. Council officers and partner agencies will be on-site at events to help people apply for the Household Support Fund before the current funding period ends on 31 March 2026.
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