Current Projects & Collaborators
The Folkestone Nepalese Community (FNC) is a vibrant and active organisation dedicated to serving the interests and needs of British Gurkha veterans, the Nepalese community, their families, and the wider population of Folkestone and surrounding areas.
FNC has implemented a wide range of projects and initiatives that promote welfare, cultural exchange, education, and community integration. These include work in health & wellbeing, research, community gardening, housing, and digital inclusion.
Alongside service delivery, FNC has also participated in and supported research projects and publications that increase recognition of the experiences and contributions of British Gurkha veterans and the Nepalese community in the UK. These partnerships with universities and national organisations ensure that community voices are heard and represented.
FNC remains committed to building on this work, strengthening collaborations, and broadening its activities to benefit both its members and the wider local community.
Major Projects
| Collaborators | Project/Activity | Schedule | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Education England, University of Reading, Scottish Community Centre & IVAR | Community Participatory Action Research Cohort 3 Community Participatory Action Research Cohort 2 – click here for detail | 01 Oct 2024 – Oct 2025 22 May 2023 – Jun 2024 | Training and Mentoring from NHS England, University of Reading & Scottish Community Development Centre |
| Kent Adult Education | English & Math Functional Skills and IT Beginners | Sep 2022 – Ongoing | Response Course |
| Folkestone & Hythe District Counsel | UKSPF Cost of Living and Warm Space Project | 01 Oct 2024 – 31 Mar 2025 01 Oct 2025 – 31 Mar 2026 | Click here for detail |
| University of Surrey | The PAPER Study – please click here for detail | 13 Mar 2025 – Ongoing | This study explores why some people with signs of depression don’t seek help or disengage after initial NHS support, aiming to improve future mental health services. |
| King’s College London | The HEAR Study – Research for Gurkha and Fijian Veterans of the UK Military The summary of the report on Gurkha veterans was presented at the FNC Centre by Prof. Edgar Jones on 24 July 2025. Click here to view the presentation summary. The full report was published on 31 July 2025. Click here to view the full report. | 08 Jun 2025 – Oct 2025 | King’s Centre for Military Health Research |
| Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust | Smoke Free Program | 29 May 2025 – Dec 2025 | 7 Weeks Program that will run in the Centre |
| Leas Lift | Community Engagement Project: Click here for further information | 27 Mar 25 – Mar 2026 | A collaboration between FNC and Leas Lift to engage the community through heritage trails, workshops, exhibitions, and storytelling—shaping the Lift as a shared space for all. |
| 1DegreeEast | The Wave – Folkestone Dance Festival | 08 Apr 25 – Ongoing | Community partners will showcase Nepalese cultural dance and music as part of the July Festival—a collaboration between FNC and 1DegreeEast celebrating diversity and heritage. |
| M&N Training and Development Ltd | Everyday Maths | Sep 2025 – Ongoing | Everyday Maths with English and skills for living well in UK |
| NUYU Academy | Multiply Course, NCFE Entry Level 3 – Mathematics, & Level 3 Award in Education & Training and Skills for Life | Sep 2023 – Mar 2025 | Multiply Course – Wednesday NCFE Entry Level 3 – Saturday Education & Training at various dates |
| Armed Forces Covenant Fund | Digital & Language Inclusion | 01 Dec 2023 – 30 Nov 2024 | Forces For Change |
| NHS Kent & Medway ICB | Adult Community Health Service Engagement & Child Community Health Service Engagement Kent and Medway Integrated Care Strategy engagement | 31 May – 08 Jul 2024 05 – 31 Jul 2023 | Community Research Report by 08 Jul 2024 & 15 Jul 2024 |
| Kent County Council / Folkestone & Hythe District Council | Household Support Fund – Government Scheme for Cost of Living Crisis | FHDC: Mar 2022, Sep 2022, Apr 2023 & Sep 2024 KCC: Mar 2023, Aug 2023 & Jun 2024 | Support FNC Members/Beneficiaries to apply for food & fuel Vouchers |
| Southern Gas Network plc (SGN) & Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) | SGN Safe and Warm Communities Scheme | 01 Mar 2024 – Feb 2025 | Support in energy crisis in response to the current cost of living crisis |
| Social Enterprise Kent & Kent County Council | Community Wellbeing: Tai Chi & Food Champion – Healthy Eating | 04 Apr 2024 – Mar 2025 | Continuation of Tai Chi and new Activity Healthy Eating session will be introduce at the Centre |
| BBC, STV, Pacific Quay, Glasgow BBC, South Shore Production | BBC Antiques Road Trip Andi Oliver’s Big Bash: Food, Music & Culture | May 2025 – will be released in 6 months’ time Jun 2023 – was released on 24 Apr 2024 | Click here for detail of the program |
| Channel 5, BriteSparks Flims | Norfolk & Suffolk: Community Farm | Sep 2023 – was released on Sep 2024 | Country & Coast – Narrated by Bill Nighy Click here for detail |
| University of Kent | Engaging underserved communities in Kent Walking with Ghost click here for detail | Feb 2024 – May 2024 | Engaging young people from Kent’s ethnic minority communities with mental health research |
| Turner Schools | Diversity Week & Folkestone Talks Events | 2022 – ongoing | Outreaching Schools with Nepalese Indigenous Culture & Folkestone Nepalese Community and Centre Projects & Activities |
| The White House Surgery | Local GP: Support Service | 2023 – ongoing | Support GP Practice by translating, arranging an appointment and volunteering to help on large vaccination day |
| Gurkha Welfare Trust :Gurkha Welfare Advice Centre (Salisbury) | Gurkha Welfare Coordination and Advice Project | 2021 – ongoing | Supporting Gurkha veterans and families in partnership with the Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) — ensuring access to Pension Credit, welfare advice, and coordinated support for better settlement and wellbeing, while maintaining close links with GWT Nepal |
| SSAFA, Kent | Gurkha Veterans Settlement & Bereavement Support Project | 2021 – ongoing | FNC works with SSAFA Kent to support newly arrived Gurkha veterans and families through the Household Support Fund, and with the DWP to help eligible families access Bereavement Support. |
| Kent Downs AONB: Pent Farm & Equatorial Festival | Farming in Protected Landscapes: Detail of the project click here | Jan/Feb 2023 – Ongoing | Community Garden |
| Pro-Force | Recruitment & Training: Supporting Jobseekers around Kent | 01 Jan 2024 | Pro-Force is recruiting service – visits the Centre once a month for recruiting & training |
| Jobcentre Folkestone | Assistance and Translation Mon – Fri from 10am-4pm. | Jun 2024 – Ongoing | FNC Centre to coordinate with Jobcentre for the appointment for FNC members |
| Kent & Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust | Community Partners The Art of Mental Health KMPT Community Research Champions | 22 Feb 2024 – Feb 2025 | Details here |
| HiP Photography | Women of Faith Exhibition – Women International Day : Click here for the project | Feb 2024 – Mar 2024 | Portrait Exhibition of Nepalese Indigenous |
| East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust | Patient Voice and Involvement | Feb 2024 – Dec 2024 | TBC |
| Folkestone & Hythe District Council | Veteran Hub & Monthly Community Litter Pick & Networking | Jan 2024 – Ongoing | 2nd week Thursday and 2nd week of Sunday of every month |
| Kent Art & Wellbeing & Young Animator Club | Animating the 200 years of Gurkha History | Jan 2023 – Mar 2024 | Animation Almost Ready & possible continuation of project for extra 6 months. |
| EK360 | Hypertension Hero | Dec 2023 – Mar 2024, Continuation Sep 2024 | Additonal outreach Program |
| RBL Cheriton & Morehall, Royal Gurkha Rifles, Folkestone Town Council & GMF | Remembrance & Memorial Service & Poppy Appeal | Nov 2021 – Ongoing | Annual remembrance events & memorial collaborations in Folkestone |
| Equator Festival | Multicultural Festivals | Mar 2021 – ongoing | Nepalese Holi Celebration In March & World in a Tent Music Festival in July |
