Ramsgate Charity raise £15,000 to stay open
Happy Mondays support adults across Thanet facing unemployment, loneliness, and isolation.
Thanet-based social group "Happy Mondays" in Ramsgate have fundraised £15,000 to stay open for another six months. The group, which started through a creative arts grant post-covid, provides an essential space for adults across Thanet to find community and inclusivity when dealing with unemployment, loneliness, and isolation.
Speaking to us, Remixd CEO and Happy Mondays Founder Elinor Seath said:
"I think the timing of our crowd funder was right because Happy Mondays has now been going for two and a half years, and we try and set up outside on the high street as much as we can.
"So people know what Happy Mondays is, our local councillors, they really support the project.
"In terms of the difference it makes to the community, I think it's huge, and I think that's reflected in how successful our crowdfunding campaign was.
"We were supported by so many people. We were really bowled over.
"And I think it helps to break down prejudice. You know, that the groups that come and spend time with us at Happy Mondays are seen in a different way.
"I know from chatting to them that they come up against some really horrific things while they're out and about. So it helps to break down that, and I think that's a really important part of the project"
She added that the diversity of the group was another source of pride for those involved:
"You know we've got people with Tourette's we've got adults with learning difficulties. We've got people with dementia, um people with extreme physical challenges.
"For me as the person thats spend time with them, It's very humbling.
"You know, these people they show up every week despite having all of these challenges in their lives and I really value that in them, it's really inspiring for me as well. "
Those attending the group also spoke to us, saying it had made them feel less isolated in their day-to-day lives.
The group plans to use the new funds to keep running, and to provide those within the group with more agency.