Dandelion Time

What an unforgettable May Fayre! Last Saturday, our site was blessed with sunshine and many visitors enjoying the day. Thanks to YOU, this year’s May Fayre was a huge success and we couldn’t have done it without the incredible Dandelion Time community that rallied around us. We are deeply grateful to everyone who made this day so special: • Our wonderful volunteers and staff, who worked tirelessly before, during, and after the event • Performers and stallholders who brought the field to life with music, games, crafts, and more • Generous local businesses for their amazing support • And of course, every single visitor who came along, enjoyed the day, and gave so generously! Together, we raised a staggering £9,197! These vital funds will help children and families heal, grow, and rediscover hope in the nurturing embrace of nature. We hope that everyone attending had a fantastic day and can’t wait to welcome you back next year. A heartfelt thank you to our supporters: • @allura_craft • @asda Kings Hill • @boughtonalpaca • Cabot Financial • @charliesangelskitchens • @ccatclevercreations • @crafty_crab_crochet • East Farleigh Parish Council • The Glitter and Graffiti Girls • Heartwood • @kingshillrotary • @lloydsoflondon • Maidstone Lions • @rockchoiraimee • Medway and Maidstone Soroptimists @soroptimistgbi • @mardenvillageclub • @oldschoolsamba • Pavla Castle • @pendlewickcandles • @speldhurstsausage • Stardust Puppets • ukpowernetworks • @vegware • @vidafreshuk • @warburtonsuk • #DandelionTime #MayFayre #ThankYou #FamilyEvent #ChildrensCharity #KentChildrensCharity

When Poppy first came to Dandelion Time, being around other children felt hard. A year on, she’s building friendships, joining in, and feeling part of things. At Dandelion Time, her self-esteem began to grow step by step. Caring for the chickens became part of that. At first, they felt frightening, Poppy stayed back, watching from a safe distance. But week by week, her steps became braver - entering the chicken coop, leaving food, stroking a chicken while someone else held it. Eventually, she held one independently. Later still, she began helping other children find the courage to do the same. This Mental Health Awareness Week is about taking action and sometimes that starts with small steps. 👉 Read Poppy’s story and find out more about how Dandelion Time supports children: link in bio #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #DandelionTime #NatureHeals #MHAW2026 #MHAW

The countdown is over - our legendary May Fayre kicks off in just a couple of hours! The site is buzzing with final touches, our animals are all spruced up, and the sun is shining for a perfect day of celebration. 🐑 Meet our friendly animals 👐 Get creative with hands-on crafts 🎶 Enjoy live music 🪴 Discover unique local stalls and plant sales 🧸 Win big in our raffle plus delicious food and traditional games... 📅 Saturday 9th May 🕚 11am – 3pm 🎟️ Entry just £3 – kids go free! 📍 Charlton Lane, West Farleigh ME15 0NY Bring your friends, spread the word, and help us create magical memories while supporting Dandelion Time’s vital work with children and families. We can’t wait to welcome you! PLEASE NOTE: For the welfare of our animals on site, dogs are not permitted at the May Fayre. Thank you for your understanding. #DandelionTime #MayFayre #DaysOutInKent

Just one more sleep until the Dandelion Time May Fayre! Join us for a joyful day filled with live music, delicious food, and hands-on family fun. 🐑 Meet our friendly animals 👐 Get creative with hands-on crafts 🎶 Enjoy live music 🪴 Discover unique local stalls and plant sales 🧸 Win big in our raffle 📅 Saturday 9th May 🕚 11am – 3pm 🎟️ Entry just £3 – kids go free! Bring your friends, spread the word, and help us create magical memories while supporting Dandelion Time’s vital work with children and families. We can’t wait to welcome you! PLEASE NOTE: For the welfare of our animals on site, dogs are not permitted at the May Fayre. Thank you for your understanding. #MayFayre #DandelionTime #FamilyFun #LiveMusic #KentEvents #CommunityCelebration

Deputy Lieutenant, Kate Fenwick was delighted to represent the Lord-Lieutenant at an event to celebrate Dandelion Time’s Ashford expansion, marking an important development in the charity’s specialist therapeutic support for children and families across East Kent. Dandelion Time supports children experiencing social, emotional and mental health difficulties through nature-based, sensory and hands-on activities, helping families to reconnect in calm, nurturing environments. The new Ashford provision, delivered in partnership with The Pearce Coggan Foundation at Green Farm in Shadoxhurst, will increase capacity to support up to 150 children a year, building on existing services in Maidstone and Gravesham and responding to growing local need. Congratulations to everyone involved in this fantastic project and thank you for inviting the Lieutenancy to join you in celebrating this 🪻💚💛 @dandeliontimeuk

We’re delighted to announce that Dandelion Time has received support from the KCC Combined Member Grant Scheme 2025-2026! A heartfelt thank you to @kcc_kent and Councillor Diane Morton for championing our work. During her recent visit, Cllr Diane found out first-hand how we use nature and creativity to help children and families heal, build resilience, and rediscover hope. Your support helps us continue transforming lives. Thank you for believing in brighter futures! #ThankYouThursday #CommunitySupport #MakingADifference

The countdown is on - just a few days until our magical May Fayre at Dandelion Time! Bring your family for a day packed with joy, live music, delicious food, and fun with our friendly animals. Meet donkeys, alpacas, sheep, guinea pigs, and more - perfect for little explorers and animal lovers! It’s going to be an unforgettable day and we can’t wait to see you there! 📅 Saturday 9th May 🕚 11am – 3pm 🎟️ Entry just £3 – kids go free! Tag your friends, spread the word, and join us for a heart warming community celebration! Please note: For the welfare of our animals on site, dogs are not permitted at the May Fayre. Thank you for your understanding. #MayFayre #DandelionTime #FamilyFun #LiveMusic #KentEvents #CommunityCelebration

One week to go until the Dandelion Time May Fayre! Join us for a joyful day filled with live music, delicious food, and hands-on family fun: 🐑 Meet our friendly animals 👐 Get creative with hands-on crafts 🎶 Enjoy live music 🪴 Discover unique local stalls and plant sales 🧸 Win big in our raffle 📅 Saturday 9th May 🕚 11am – 3pm 🎟️ Entry just £3 – kids go free! Bring your friends, spread the word, and help us create magical memories while supporting Dandelion Time’s vital work with children and families. We can’t wait to welcome you! Please note: For the welfare of our animals on site, dogs are not permitted at the May Fayre. Thank you for your understanding. #MayFayre #DandelionTime #FamilyFun #LiveMusic #KentEvents #CommunityCelebration

Natural crafts are rhythmic, soothing and sensory-rich activities. Two hands on a pot at the wheel … two hands on a saw … two hands in a bowl of dough … these activities are about working together as a family and enhancing attachment bonds. Crafts also help children to try new things and express themselves Our many peaceful hands-on and purposeful activities include working with wool from our own flock of sheep, green woodworking and pottery so that children can make crafts to take home while learning how to persevere through difficulties and build self-esteem. #HealingThroughNature #FamilyBonding #DandelionTime #CraftingConfidence

We are deeply grateful to @macknade for supporting us as their chosen charity. Their incredible fundraising efforts have raised £2,420.02, making a real difference for children and families across our three Kent sites. From the Big Foodie Quiz events to nature-based crafting during school holidays and even dog walking, Macknade’s support has enabled us to deliver life-changing, nature-based therapy sessions. Together, we’re helping children and families find hope, healing, and connection after trauma. #ThankYouThursday #Macknade #CommunitySupport #HealingTogether

Yesterday, we marked the expansion of our nature based therapeutic work in Ashford with the opening of our new centre. The expansion increases our capacity to support up to 150 children a year across East Kent, working with children alongside their families through outdoor, sensory and hands on activities. We’re proud to deliver this work in partnership with The Pearce Coggan Foundation, whose farm at @greenfarmkent provides a calm, natural setting closely aligned with our values around nature, relationships and wellbeing. The expansion was formally marked by a visit from the Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Kent, Mrs Kate Fenwick, recognising the role that partnership based, community focused services play in supporting children and families locally. Thank you to our partners, supporters and funders for recognising the importance of collaborative, community based support for children and families. To find out more about our work or how to refer a child go to our website - link in bio #DandelionTime #NatureHeals #FamilySupport #AshfordKent #PartnershipWorking #ChildrensCharity #SEMH

Just over 2 weeks to go until our May Fayre on Saturday 9th May! We need your support to make this event truly special. Can you: ✨ Volunteer your time on the day 🍰 Bake a cake 🌱 Donate plants 📚 Give pre-loved children’s books or soft toys 🎟️ Offer items for our Tombola Every contribution, big or small, helps us create brighter futures for vulnerable children and families. If you can help, please share this post and email us at kenresastratford[at]dandeliontime.org.uk. Thank you for being part of our community! 💚 Please note: For the welfare of our animals on site, dogs are not permitted at the May Fayre. Thank you for your understanding.