Community in mind blog
Welcome to our first community in mind blog. I want to be able to share with you some deeper aspects of our kitchen company and the work we do for the community.
A good place to start is always at the beginning which for us takes us back to when we embarked on this journey and set up Kitchen Kind. We had previously been operating under a franchise but knew we wanted to do things our way, which meant starting a new company of our own. What many people don’t know is that I had been working as a dementia nurse specialist which was a role very dear to my heart. Eventually dividing my time between nursing and Kitchen Kind and the time came for me to leave nursing. It was a bitter-sweet decision as I adored my role as a dementia nurse however, Kitchen Kind was the vessel in which I could pour my passions for interior design and art. We have three children to look after too so, the scales became tipped in favour of me focussing on kitchen kind fulltime.
Working as a dementia nurse specialist was not the only way in which dementia had touched my life. Both my grandparents lived with dementia, one vascular and one Alzheimer’s. This gave me a personal understanding of dementia and its affects.
My passion for Dementia awareness and support meant that I needed to bring that into Kitchen Kind, it was even the meaning behind the name when we started the business. Kitchens and nursing may be worlds apart but community spirit, kindness and helping others can be shared anywhere by anyone. This is something that has become even more prevalent since the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic. We have learned the true importance of keeping community in mind and supporting each other.
So, what does the future hold for Kitchen Kind with community in mind? We want to bring the community aspect into the very core of the business where it will remain steadfast. We will seek to do good wherever we can and use our success as the platform from which we can achieve more within the community.
Currently we donate any money from scrap metal recycling to Dementia care and we will do the same with any profit from the sale of ex-display items from our showroom. Also, to show our appreciation for the hard work they do, we will offer a 5% discount on kitchens and worktops to blue light card holders.
Many of the funds raised are used to buy arts and crafts supplies for the dementia patients in Yeovil District Hospital and to provide refreshments for memory cafés. Money also helps to fund music and animal therapy and fund vital research.
Operating with a community-centred mindset is something that I hope to see many businesses embrace in the future. Knowing you have the support of a community when you face hard times can be one of the most comforting feelings and one of the biggest lessons of the last year must certainly echo the message – Be Kind.
Stay Safe
Rebecca
