New Mayor of Ashford's focus on increasing opportunities for young people, regardless of their personal circumstances

This summer saw the inauguration of the new Ashford Borough Mayor, as Goat Lees Member Cllr Winston Michael began his second term in office.

Having previously been the Mayor of Ashford between 2017-18, Cllr Michael’s primary focus will be on inspiring young people, helping those with a real need, by nurturing jobs, championing apprenticeships and caring for the wellbeing of our town and its people.

Winston has confirmed the two Mayoral charities that he’ll be supporting during his term throughout regular fundraising activities are ‘Uprising’ and ‘Includes Us Too’.

Uprising is a growing charity based in Ashford, Kent, supporting young people, families and communities facing significant challenges. Its work aims to improve lives and support personal and community transformation.

Based in the heart of Ashford, the charity runs a range of coordinated projects across the region. Hang 10 is Uprising’s youth outreach programme, engaging young people in local parks and housing estates through sport, games, and access to staff who can offer support and advice. 

This outreach work is central to Uprising’s mission and has helped shape all of its projects and has transformed the lives of those on the streets through them gaining work experience and money in their pockets.

Includes Us Too is a local, parent-led charity supporting disabled children, young people and their families across Ashford, Folkestone and Hythe, and Dover. Its mission is to ensure families raising a child with a disability or additional need feel understood, supported and included. 

The charity offers free practical and emotional support, social opportunities, and a strong voice for change so families do not have to face challenges alone. Its support includes one-to-one advice, inclusive family events, youth groups, access groups for children not in school, and a lending library where families can try sensory equipment before buying.

Speaking passionately about both when asked why these particular organisations were chosen, Winston explained: “Uprising undertake community projects that help to turn around the lives of young people through training, basic education and hands-on work experience. The outcomes that they’ve achieved over the years have been remarkable.

“I met with parents working with Includes Us Too and it was emotional. The experiences they relayed to me on the huge problems they encountered dealing with officialdom was heartbreaking and some of the parents suffered mental health problems of their own trying get the best for their children. 

“Free of charge, the charity provides an incredible service to the community whether that’s helping residents in the borough to complete necessary paperwork to simply fighting to get a successful outcome. 

“I also attended a class run by the charity for children not at school and I could see the huge value that the charity brings to the large number of parents and thanks to the charity, I also witnessed first hand the children enjoying this learning environment that they otherwise may struggle to obtain elsewhere.”

It is Cllr Michael’s view that there are many young people in our community that are struggling because of misguided preconceptions about what they are capable of.

Our Mayor adds that focus is highly geared towards academic prowess, but this must change as there are young people who will find it difficult to obtain that piece of paper and we must find a way to embrace their needs via other means.

This includes through job training alongside experienced workers, where skill at doing the job counts for more than a paper certificate just as it did in bygone years.

It is also this mindset that led to Cllr Michael founding the Kent Challenger Games (KCG) in 2016 having seen many young people not participating in sporting or physical activity, due to a disability, medical condition or physical need.

“KCG is not solely an athletic event as participants also undertake a number of activities that are exciting and fun, and which challenges them as individuals and as a team”, Winston keenly points out. 

“It draws out their true inner strengths by getting them to focus on the assets they do have and not those they do not have, to give them a sense of achievement whilst bringing home that working as a team can achieve so much more. 

“I am immensely proud that sixty local schools are subscribed to KCG, which takes place at the Julie Rose Stadium during the summer. However, I do worry about disabled young people in our borough who are not in education, employment or training that are sitting at home looking at four walls all day. 

“This is because no one will employ them. Giving them work for even a small part of a week would make a huge difference to their wellbeing. Young people are the future, so let’s not waste them.”

Message to residents

“As you can see, this is something I care very deeply about. During my term, I hope I can contribute to making a difference for young people regardless of their circumstances. I shall be undertaking a number of fundraising activities for my charities.

“Please look out for them and support as we can all make a difference for young people with a disability be it health or physical.” 

This summer, Cllr Heather Hayward was also confirmed as the new Deputy Mayor of Ashford. Cllr Hayward represents the Ashford Borough Ward of Roman.

• Uprising’s vision is to inspire hope and bring about community transformation' by engaging, building, investing in and committing to local places and spaces through dedicated projects. They want to be an organisation that young people, families and communities in Ashford can trust for help, support, and, more importantly a real sense of community. For more information visit the Uprising website.
• Includes Us Too’s vision is to support disabled and neurodivergent children and young people aged 0–25, along with their families, across East and Mid Kent. They believe no family should have to navigate their SEND journey alone. Through family support, SEND advocacy, inclusive activities, specialist training and via their lending library of sensory and disability equipment, we empower families, reduce isolation and create opportunities for children and young people to thrive. More details are available at the Includes Us Too website.