August 17 marked the celebration of National Nonprofit Day, providing the opportunity to recognise the various organisations ongoing efforts to serve their communities.

With that being said, Kingston Nub News felt it was only right to pay tribute to the charities playing their role to support the Kingston community.

Read on to learn more about the various organisations working throughout Kingston upon Thames.

Oxfam Bookshop

The Oxfam Bookshop on Old London Road is the only used bookshop in the borough and has a wonderful section of pre-loved books, CD's, DVD's and vinyl.

The little sanctuary is filled with books covering every subject imaginable, making it the perfect place to choose your next sustainable read.

Oxfam Bookshop is always delighted to accept quality undamaged items that are ready for a new home and pride themselves on offering their customers some the chance to come across some true gems.

Click here to browse a selection of their products, or better yet, visit them during opening hours to discover your new favourite bookshop!

Kingston Centre For Independent Living

The Kingston Centre For Independent Living (KCIL) works to meet the needs of disabled people living within the borough with a strong focus on representing and supporting the full equality and inclusion of disabled people, to give them every chance of living independent and empowering lives.

KCIL frequently hold memorable trips and events for their members such as annual boat trips, visits to nature reserves such as Kew Gardens and engaging fundraisers and projects to continue to spread awareness.

In 2017, KCIL collaborated with disabled people and those working with the disabled community to collect stories regrading disability rights in the borough.

Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the 'Fighting for our Rights' project involved conducting interviews with prominent local people to celebrate the fascinating history.

As a result, an amazing new educational resource, that can be adapted to suit any learning environment, has been created to help spread awareness around diversity, equality and inclusion. This resource is currently in use at institutions such as Dysart School and Kingston University.

To view the interviews at the heart of the project click here, and visit KCIL's website here to discover more on the wonderful work of the charity.  

Creative Youth

As the name implies, Creative Youth was born out of an ambition to encourage and celebrate the creativity of young people – which are defined as ages 5 to 26.

The local organisation nurtures and showcases a broad range of talent through festivals, events and training programmes. Thanks to the charity, a minimum of 1,500 young people engage with, and benefit from, their involvement in the arts every year.

Creative Youth are always thinking of innovative ways to expand their communal reach, underlined by their latest project 'Factory of Futures'.

The new creative space, set to launch next year in the heart of Kingston, will act as a home for young artists and practitioners to create, develop and share their ideas and work.

It will also act as a hub for the renowned FUSE festival, hosted by Creative Youth every year offering a ten-day programme of music, theatre, dance, comedy and visual arts.

To learn more regarding Creative Youth's work throughout Kingston, visit their site here.

Creative Youth are currently accepting applications for their popular annual talent programme

Kingston Samaritans

Kingston Samaritans is there for the community, day or night, for anyone who is struggling to cope and needs someone to listen without judgment or pressure.

In 2021, Kingston Samaritans spent a total of 9,600 hours responding to more than 28,000 calls for help.

As well as being a safe pair of ears via a phone call, the charity routinely schedules appointments for those in need to have someone to talk to face to face.

Kingston Samaritans also works closely with high risk groups to reduce the risk of suicide. They also provide support locally through their various Outreach activities, including working in partnership with Network Rail and Wandsworth Prison.

Workshops also regularly feature in schools throughout the community and the supporting of events at both Kingston College and Kingston University.

Kingston Samaritans are always on the lookout for a helping hand from the community, whether through donations, fundraising efforts or volunteering. Visit their site here to find out more.

Representatives from Kingston Samaritans ready to chat to passengers at Kingston Station