Current Projects & Collaborators
Folkestone Nepalese Community (FNC) is a vibrant and active organisation that strives to serve the interests and needs of the Nepalese/Gurkha veterans, along with their families and local community in Folkestone and surrounding areas. The FNC has implemented various projects and initiatives that foster the welfare and integration of its members and the public.
The FNC has also participated in and supported various research projects and publications that enhance the understanding and recognition of the Nepalese/ Gurkha veterans and their contribution to the broader society. The FNC remains devoted to continuing its efforts and aims to broaden its influence and activities going forward.
Major Projects
| Collaborators | Project/Activity | Schedule | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Education England | Community Participatory Action Research Cohort 3 Community Participatory Action Research Cohort 2 – click here for detail | 01 Oct 2024 – Sep 2025 22 May 2023 – Jun 2024 | Training and Mentoring from NHS England, University of Reading & Scottish Community Development Centre |
| 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 | 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 | 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. |
| Folkestone & Hythe District Counsel | UKSPF COST OF LIVING AND WARM SPACE PROJECTS | 29 Aug 2024 – 31 Mar 2025 | FNC Centre Warm Space Hub |
| Kent Adult Education | ESOL: Beginners, Intermediate & Advance Courses and IT Courses: Beginners & Advance (Developing phase). | Sep 2022 – Sep 2025 | Response Course |
| 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, South Shore Production | Andi Oliver’s Big Bash: Food, Music & Culture | June 2023 – releasing in 24 April 2024 | Click here for detail of the program |
| Channel 5, BriteSparks Flims | Norfolk & Suffolk: Community Farm | Sep 2023 – releasing in 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 | Mar, Apr, May, June 2024 | 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) | Coordination with DWP for Pension Credit and other Gurkha Welfare Matters in Nepal | 2022 – ongoing | Assist Gurkha veterans and their families, particularly those who have recently arrived from Nepal and are residing in the Folkestone area. |
| Kent Downs AONB: Pent Farm & Equatorial Festival | Farming in Protected Landscapes: Detail of the project click here | Jan/Feb 2023 – 2024 | 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 | 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 | 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 – Dec 2024 | 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 |
| Equator Festival | Multicultural Festivals | Mar 2021 – ongoing | Nepalese Holi Celebration In March & World in a Tent Music Festival in July |