Welcome to 2026 - Our 10th Birthday!

As we said goodbye to 2025 and welcomed in 2026, there was so much to reflect on - it had been a very busy six months!  In December, the time had finally arrived when we had to bid our charity founder and dedicated Director Alison, plus our lovely Support Worker Jill, a very fond farewell…but, of course we did it in style - with a fabulously festive Fenner Frost Party attended by students, board members, friends and families.  In December we also sadly said goodbye to our lovely Katherine. I know that everyone will all miss her gorgeous smile and totally infectious giggle. We do hope that Alison, Jill and Katherine keep in touch...

But onwards and upwards, and we now look forward to a new chapter in the life and times of this amazing charity, with our brand new staff team. I started back in September - and I would like to thank Alison for walking alongside me those four months, so I could learn the role. I was delighted to be joined in November by our new Team Leader Brooke Acott, followed hot on her heels by Lucy Hayward, our new Support Worker. So it’s been a very big change for the charity, but everyone has so generously embraced the three of us with their support, warmth and kindness.  

As you can see from the title of this first post, this particular year is a very special one for us, as we’re 10 years old! And we couldn’t let this seminal moment pass without celebrating in style with a big birthday bash. Kindly hosted by the team at The Oak Grove in Upchurch, it will be a ticketed fundraising event with food from caterers Seasalt & Relish, together with music and dancing! So pop the date in your diary now; Saturday 9th of May - more details soon! 

And it goes without saying that we would also like to thank everyone who has donated stock to our shop in the last six months.  But don't stop - tell your friends and family, work colleagues, gym buddies - basically anyone you can - that we would welcome donations of vinyl, CDs, DVDs, cassette tapes, music books and trade magazines. You can either drop off the donations at RPM during opening hours or we can always come and pick them up.

It occurred to us recently that in fact we are the ONLY record store in Sittingbourne and so we should shout it from the rooftops! Therefore we are pleased to say that since November we have been stocking brand new vinyl in RPM - now ready and waiting for you to add to your own record collection! The students have really enjoyed getting involved with the new stock; pricing them all up and putting them out on the shelves. Pop in and pick up the latest offering; 'People Watching', from singer, songwriter and BRIT 2026 nominee Sam Fender. Olivia Dean's 'The Art of Loving' is now on our shelf and the ever popular 'Parachutes', from British rock band Coldplay, continues to sell far and wide. But don't worry - we also have some absolute classics up our sleeve! Why not acquire Michael Jackson's rock/disco banger from 1979; 'Off The Wall', Van Morrison's 'Astral Weeks' is an absolute blinder of an album and said to be their best work, 'Rumours' by Fleetwood Mac is always a must! So, what are you waiting for? We are open Tuesday to Friday, 10am-4pm and from 10am-1pm every Saturday.

Lastly, if you’re able to support us with any fundraising activity - say you wish to bathe in a bath of baked beans, run a 5k or chuck yourself out of a plane (I've done this for FFF and the experience was amazing!) - then do get in touch. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our fabulous fundraisers and superb supporters over the last six months. They include Choir&Ko, Jennifer Richardson Accountants, Gatefield Sounds, Co-Op, SFM and Kent Catering Service LTD.

We look forward to seeing you in the shop soon!

Lou Fowkes - Charity Director

29 January 2026