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Kent Charity Founder's Royal Garden Party Style
12 May
Summary
- Founder to attend royal event in donated clothing.
- Charity won King's Award for Voluntary Service.
- Centre supports thousands locally and abroad.
Maya Amangeldiyeva, founder of a Kent charity recognized with the King's Award for Voluntary Service, is set to attend a royal garden party. Amangeldiyeva's organization, Maya's Community Support Centre in Herne Bay, operates a multifaceted facility including a support centre, cafe, food bank, and free shop. She plans to wear an outfit sourced from the charity's shop to the Buckingham Palace event, advocating for sustainable clothing and reducing the stigma associated with donated items.
This award is especially meaningful to the charity, highlighting the crucial contributions of its volunteers. Over the years, their dedication has provided vital support to thousands of individuals. The centre's impact extends beyond the local community, assisting people internationally, notably those impacted by the 2023 Turkey-Syria Earthquake.
The centre's new free shop, launched in October 2025, saw remarkable engagement, with over 1,300 visitors and substantial donations in its first week. This initiative provided food for 901 people. Previously, the community centre was honored with the BBC Make A Difference Award in 2024 and Amangeldiyeva herself was recognized on The Big Issue's 100 Changemaker's List last year. The King's Award for Voluntary Service, established in 2002, is the UK's highest accolade for volunteer groups, comparable to an MBE for charities.
