Outreach & Community Engagement
The Folkestone Nepalese Community (FNC), through the Folkestone Nepalese Community Centre (FNC Centre), delivers inclusive outreach activities across Kent and beyond. Our outreach shares Nepalese and British Gurkha heritage, strengthens community cohesion, and builds effective partnerships with schools, cultural and heritage organisations, funders, and statutory services.
Through education, cultural exchange, civic participation, and partnership working, FNC’s outreach raises awareness of the Gurkha community’s contribution to the UK, promotes cultural understanding, and ensures under-represented voices are heard across the public, voluntary, and health sectors.
Armed Forces Covenant Fund – Outreach Film
With support from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund, the FNC Centre produced a short outreach film showcasing the Centre, community activities, and the lived experiences of Gurkha veterans and their families.
The film is used for awareness-raising, partner briefings, and outreach events to help stakeholders understand the impact of our work.
Video: https://vimeo.com/680919291
Schools & Youth Outreach
FNC delivers cultural and educational outreach in primary and secondary schools across Cheriton and Folkestone, promoting understanding of Nepalese and British Gurkha heritage, inclusion, and community pride.
Through classroom sessions, educational talks, Nepalese culture and music showcases, and interactive activities—including participation in Folkestone School Talks since 2022—our school and youth outreach:
Celebrates Folkestone as a diverse town
Encourages children and young people to feel proud of their local community
Promotes empathy and cultural awareness
Prepares pupils for life in a modern, multicultural society
Our outreach has also included school garden and outdoor learning workshops, supporting environmental awareness, creativity, teamwork, and wellbeing as part of wider cultural and sustainability initiatives.
Heritage & Cultural Outreach
Working with heritage partners, including the National Trust, FNC has showcased Nepalese culture, traditional dress, music, and storytelling at heritage locations. This work connects local heritage with global histories and enriches public understanding of Britain’s shared and diverse past.
Funding & Capacity-Building Outreach
FNC has supported and hosted Meet the Funders sessions with the The National Lottery Community Fund, delivered in Nepalese and English. These sessions help community groups and individuals understand funding opportunities, build confidence in applying for grants, and strengthen grassroots community capacity.
Mental Health & Community Awareness
In partnership with Porchlight, FNC contributes to outreach focused on the Gurkha community, mental health awareness, and barriers faced by veterans and migrant communities, supporting culturally informed approaches to wellbeing.
Statutory & Public Sector Outreach
NHS Kent & Medway
On 10 May 2023, FNC delivered a presentation at Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone, highlighting collaborative work with NHS Kent and Medway and NHS England partners. This outreach covered community wellbeing, environmental action, prevention-focused projects, and support for voluntary and community organisations.
DWP Gravesend Jobcentre
As part of South Asian Heritage Month, FNC delivered a cultural outreach session at Gravesend Jobcentre on 14 August 2024, raising awareness of Gurkha and Nepalese heritage within public services.
Community & Civic Outreach
In addition to cultural and statutory outreach, FNC delivers practical community action and civic engagement activities that support local wellbeing and community resilience.
This includes:
Community Cleaning & Environmental Action – regular community-led cleaning activities delivered in partnership with local authorities
🔗 https://fncuk.org/fnc-cleaning-activities/Supporting Other Community Groups – collaboration and mutual support with local voluntary and community organisations
🔗 https://fncuk.org/supporting-other-community/Civic & Mayoral Charities Engagement – ongoing support for mayoral and civic charities at town, district, and county level, including (but not limited to) the Town Mayor of Folkestone’s nominated charities.
This support is continuous and reflects FNC’s commitment to civic participation and community solidarity, both when nominated and when not formally nominated.
🔗 https://fncuk.org/town-mayor-of-folkestones-nominated-charities/
Veterans & Armed Forces Outreach
FNC engages with veteran networks through national and regional events, including the Armed Forces Network Conference (2023) and the Veterans’ Voices Event (2023). These activities amplify veteran voices and support culturally informed services for Gurkha veterans and their families.
Our Commitment
Through outreach, the Folkestone Nepalese Community continues to:
Share Nepalese and British Gurkha heritage
Build bridges between communities
Support veterans and families
Promote inclusion, wellbeing, and civic pride
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