Medway Council
We’re proud to be making an impact in Medway by partnering with Medway Council through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. Together since 2024, we’ve transformed key community spaces, including Anchorians Sports Club, Strood Boxing Club and Frindsbury Cricket Club, helping local young people gain hands-on skills and accreditations while contributing to these vital projects, creating brighter futures and building pride in local communities.
Here’s a look at our journey so far.
Anchorians Sports Club
Anchorians Football Club in Gillingham is a thriving FA Charter Standard Community Club with over 75 teams and 1,000 members. We helped to revamp the club’s facilities by renovating the female changing rooms and communal areas, which were in poor condition. These spaces were repainted in the club’s colours and upgraded to provide a suitable environment for female players, who previously had to use the upstairs toilets to change.
As part of the project, England Rugby star Ellie Kildunne visited the club, meeting the players and supporting the initiative to improve facilities for women and girls. This project is helping the club retain junior players, invest in the growth of female participation, and nurture the next generation of talent.
“The girls were thrilled, and having Ellie visit made it even more special.”
Simon Somerset, Anchorians Youth & Mini’s Chairman
Strood Boxing Club
Strood Boxing Club has been a cornerstone of the community for 17 years, offering boxing training for individuals aged 8 to 40. In an area with limited opportunities, the club provides a positive outlet, fostering discipline and even supporting employment pathways. It also offers sessions for parents, including dedicated time for mothers of boxers.
We refurbished Gym 1 by repairing and painting walls, doors, and metal girders and boarding the ceiling with UPVC for a fresh, modern look. The building exterior was also revamped to create a more welcoming space.
This project aims to attract more female participants and ensure the club continues to thrive, led by dedicated volunteer coaches.
Frindsbury Cricket Club
VIY carried out a range of renovation works at the club, which is celebrating its 140th year, including repairs to the bar area ceiling, a full redecoration of the clubhouse and the external storage containers which were an eyesore. The home and away changing rooms were also refreshed to reflect the club’s new identity and help build pride among players and visitors.
These improvements will support the club’s growth as it relaunches its colts section with a new U11 team and develops partnerships with local schools to encourage more young people into cricket. The upgraded facilities will provide a welcoming and fit-for-purpose environment for players, families, and the wider community.
“On behalf of myself and everyone at Frindsbury Cricket Club, I’d like to extend our sincere thanks for the fantastic work that VIY have completed over the past two weeks. The committee and wider club are absolutely thrilled with the renovations as they’ve brought a new lease of life to the ground just in time for the new season.”
Jordan, committee member, Frindsbury Cricket Club
