This week I was invited to visit Spadework by CEO Kris Healey.
Upon my arrival it was immediately clear what a remarkable place it is. Kris welcomed me warmly and took me on an impressive tour of their extensive five acre site at Teston Road, Offham, West Malling ME19 5PH. It is a vibrant community asset supporting adults with learning disabilities, dementia, mental health challenges and those navigating bereavement.
Spadework has been transforming lives for over 40 years, helping people build confidence, develop independence and feel part of a supportive, purposeful community. Alongside their care services, the site is also a thriving destination for local residents — offering a garden centre, farm shop, charity shop, café, log delivery service and more. Every part of the operation helps raise vital funds to sustain the charity’s work.
Kris also showed me their hugely successful Pumpkin Garden, the charity’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Last October they sold an astonishing 22,000 pumpkins, raising over £100,000 to support their services. This year’s Pumpkin Pick opens on Saturday 5th October and runs right through to Halloween on 31st October. Soon after, the site transforms again as Christmas trees and turkeys take over for the festive season.
I was struck by Kris’s energy and dedication — he is a massively driven, motivated and positive leader, deeply committed to Spadework’s mission. His next major project is the creation of a Dementia and Wellbeing Hub on the site, responding directly to the rapidly growing need for support services in recent years. Planning permission has been granted, and fundraising for the £3.5 million required is now underway.
If you’d like to support this vital project, please contact:
Richard Anstead 📞 01732 870002 / [email protected]
You can also find out more about Spadework, their services and upcoming events at: www.spadework.org.uk
Spadework is a shining example of community, compassion and purpose — and I’m grateful to Kris and the whole team for the inspiring work they do every day.
