We are delighted to announce that a number of Rotary Clubs in the Bromley Borough have joined forces to become a project partner with the Community Sports Trust, specifically for our Ravens Chat programme.

Rotary International has nearly 120 years of history starting in 1905 in Chicago with a group of 4 businessmen who decided to ‘give back’ to the community. It is now one of the world’s largest service organisations with approximately 1,400,000 individuals known as Rotarians in over 160 countries, in 46,000 Rotary Clubs. Its stated mission is to “provide service to others, promote integrity and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through the fellowship of business, professional and community leaders”.

Rotarians are People of Action, in a unique position of being rooted within our own communities but with a global outlook. Their areas of Focus are: Promoting Peace, Fighting Disease, Providing Clean Water, Supporting Education, Saving Mothers and Children, Growing Local Economies and Supporting the Environment.

Assistant District Governor for Rotary in Bromley, Christine Atkinson, commented; “Having seen the difference Ravens Chat makes to so many who suffered from loneliness and mental health difficulties, particularly following Lockdown, Christine is delighted that 6 of the local Bromley Borough Rotary Clubs have been given the opportunity to sponsor such an initiative.”

“Our District Governor Elect for South East England, Ray Seager, has just returned from Rotary International Training in Orlando and came back advising us that his theme for the year will be focusing on Loneliness and Mental Health so the timing couldn’t be better.”

“We are very excited for Bromley Rotarians to be part of this Partnership as the synergy between us will offer many opportunities to combat loneliness. Who knows, we may have some of the lovely Members of Ravens Chat out with us at Christmas time collecting with Santa for children’s charities or helping with our annual Firework Display, displaying their knowledge at a quiz or even baking cakes with us.”

“We are looking forward to continuing working with Matt Hall who has been magnanimous throughout all communications and is a shining example for the Bromley Football Club Community Sports Trust. Matt is obviously truly passionate about helping those members of Ravens Chat who clearly value everything he does.”

District Governor Elect for South East England, Ray Seager, added; “Many of us are affected directly and indirectly with those experiencing loneliness and mental health issues. We need to develop a platform to help those recognise or spot the signs that a family member or colleague needs help. The opportunity to work with the Bromley Football Club Community Sports Trust could not be a better fit. Thank you to all those involved.”

Head of Community, Matt Hall, was equally delighted; “I had the pleasure of meeting Christine towards the end of last year, and it was very clear she shared our passion for the Ravens Chat project, and the values of both our organisations were very much aligned. Christine’s passion and drive, coupled with our reach, means we will be able to work on some exciting initiatives together, and continue to strive towards reducing loneliness and social isolation in Bromley. We would like to extend our thanks to Rotary in Bromley, Chislehurst, Orpington, Orpington (Crofton), Ravensbourne and West Wickham for their commitment and contributions towards making this partnership possible.”

“I must end by extending my sincere thanks to Signature at Beckenham, who have supported this project from day one up until now. Without them, we simply wouldn’t have been able to start Ravens Chat, and we’ll be eternally grateful for their support in our first year”.

You can find out more about Rotary Clubs internationally by clicking here, and more about Rotary in Bromley by clicking here.