Kingston Nub News aims to support the community promoting shops, businesses, charities, clubs and sports groups.

We aim to showcase some of these businesses, organisations and interesting individuals regularly in a feature called 'UP CLOSE'.

Today we caught up with Diane White, who is preparing to step away from her role as CEO of the Kingston Carers' Network after a remarkable 14 years with the local charity.

Read on for Diane's and the Kingston Carers' Network story.

Kingston Carers' Network

After spending her childhood in Cumbria in the north west of England, Diane White headed for London to complete a degree in Mandarin before eventually settling down in Surbiton to start a family where she has happily lived for the last 26 years.

Whilst raising her children, Diane took part in various volunteering work from supporting adults with learning difficulties to victims of domestic abuse as a means of doing something meaningful within her community.

The experiences allowed the mother of two to work out what she wanted to do in a full-time capacity and it quickly became clear that working with children and young people was the path she wish to pursue.

After seeing the role of a part-time young carers project worker being advertised in the local paper, Diane knew it was an opportunity too good to be missed.

Fast forward to March 2023, and Diane is preparing to step away from KCN after 14 years with the community organisation, four of which as CEO.

KCN is a local registered charity providing information, advice, advocacy and support to people who care for someone living in the Kingston borough.

The organisation aims to relieve hardship that can be felt by carers balancing their personal life with the individual they care for, whilst helping to improve their quality of life, building confidence, and helping to support young carers establish a positive future.

Adult carers on a trip to Wells Cathedral with KCN

Reflecting on her 14-year stay at KCN, Diane told Nub News: "Honestly, it is just such an incredible place to work. The young and adult carers you meet on a day-to-day basis are and so inspiring and I couldn't be more privileged with the staff I have around me.

"You know you are in a special place when you wake up each morning and think, great, time to head into work!"

Naturally, after such a long tenure at a charity, it was difficult for Diane to pick a few of the memories she has created with her team and members along the way, but shared a few with Nub News that have brought all emotions together.

She continued: "For the young carers our trip to Disney Land Paris was very special. Seven or eight years ago we were chosen as British Airways' Charity of the Year and they flew all the young carers and staff on a chartered plane with that years X Factor finalists.

"Stepping back and watching the young children have the time of their lives was so wonderful and something I will treasure forever.

"As for your older carers, a few months back they attended a series of workshops before taking part at a poetry reading at the Rose Theatre. Hearing them share some of their experiences through their carefully constructed poems was remarkable and an evening we will hold close to us at KCN for a long, long time."

One of KCN's adult groups enjoying an evening out

The charity's most recent annual review underlines the impact KCN has throughout the Kingston borough with 2019-20 seeing 1,495 adult carers referred to its Advice Service and 1472 in attendance for the organisations social and wellbeing events. The year also saw 410 carers confirm they are now significantly enjoying a life outside of caring.

The same year 146 young carers referred to KCN's Young Carer's Project and a total of 3,443 respite breaks provided for 703 young carers at 312 activities.

Two of KCN's young carers enjoying a baking/cooking class

Diane admitted continuing to find sufficient funding remains a standout challenge for social care organisations, especially with the increasing strain on council finances over the years. Funding from the local authority makes up a third with the remainder coming from charitable foundations such as City Bridge and the Big Lottery. 

Despite the constant battle, the Surbiton resident stressed community initiatives, local sponsorships and donations from residents help to further the cause and referenced a recent exchange with a local that particularly pulled the heart strings.

Diane added: "Local football club Kingstonian FC have been sponsors of KCN since 2017 and I recently received a phone call from a local resident who told me his close friend had died unexpectantly and was a life-long fan of the club, having attended games since 1956.

"He told me that me that friends and family wanted to do something in his memory and as the football club was so close to his heart, donating to a community cause that the club have been sponsors to for the last six years seemed a fitting tribute.

"It means an awful lot knowing that we are able to connect with residents across the borough like that."

Kingstonian FC has been sponsors of KSCN since 2017

Kingston Council undertook its delayed re-tendering of voluntary contracts last year which saw KCN successful in its resubmitted application, meaning the organisation will be able to continue to provide its vital services in the borough for the next five years.

Diane admitted after a 14-year stay and with KCN's future secured in the borough, now seemed to be the perfect time to pass the baton. The departing CEO did admit however that she would be returning to her voluntary days with the organisation and will be thrilled to join in with the charity's 30th anniversary celebrations in 2024.

Kingston Nub News wishes Diane the very best with her next chapter!

For further information on KCN's services, how you could benefit as a carer in the borough, or if you are looking for voluntary opportunities or to donate, visit the charity's website here.