From Struggle to Support: How Freemasons Helped Change Young Lives in Maidstone
By Steve Gray –Chillington Manor Lodge No. 4649
Imagine a family home where putting food on the table is a daily struggle. Each month, choices must be made about which bills to pay. Charity shops become the stores of necessity, and holidays remain a distant dream.
Now picture the children in that home, young teenagers facing the usual challenges of adolescence, the pressures of secondary school, and the growing awareness of their family’s situation. Sadly, this is the reality for many families across our Province.
“With love, guidance and opportunity, many young people thrive but, not all are so fortunate.”
With love from family, support from friends, and encouragement from teachers, many of these young people will endure and even succeed. Yet not all are so fortunate. Some lack a support network altogether, leaving them vulnerable to isolation, confusion, and anger. Without strong role models and compassionate guidance, they can drift toward antisocial behaviour or fall under the influence of gangs and predators.
Fortunately, there is hope. In Maidstone, Switch Youth Services provides a safe and welcoming space for young people to socialise, learn, and access support. Its open-access youth café focuses on informal education, helping young people develop the personal, social and emotional skills that can change the course of their lives.
Last year alone, Switch worked with more than 2,700 young people — many facing serious challenges such as self-harm, exploitation, or involvement in county lines.
“Switch gives young people a place to belong, to be heard, and to find hope.”
A chance meeting in July 2025 between Steve Gray of Chillington Manor Lodge No. 4649 and Nick Batchelor, Youth Services Manager at Switch, sparked something special. During their conversation, Nick mentioned that he hoped to reward a small group of young people who had shown real progress with a trip to Thorpe Park, something most of them would never otherwise experience.
Steve immediately saw an opportunity for Freemasonry to help. The goal was simple: raise £1,500 to take fifteen disadvantaged young people on a day they would never forget. But it wasn’t just about fun… Switch had learned that such trips helped build stronger relationships between youth workers and the young people they support, making later interventions far more successful.
Although it was the Lodge’s closed season and formal approval couldn’t be obtained before the event, Steve pressed on. He contacted other Lodges meeting at Maidstone Masonic Centre, and within days seven had pledged support — raising £875. Chillington Manor’s Charity Steward, Reinhard Stille, then reached out to the Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons Charity (CEKFC) for match funding. In short order, the full amount was achieved.
On 4th October 2025, fifteen young people and their support team from Switch set off for an unforgettable day at Thorpe Park filled with laughter, excitement, and connection.
“For many of our young people, it was their first time leaving Kent. Their smiles said everything.”
– Nick Batchelor, Youth Services Manager, Switch Youth Services
Steve was quick to extend his heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported the initiative. Their generosity made a tangible difference in the lives of those fifteen young people and will be remembered for years to come.
Supporting Lodges and Chapters included:
Belvidere Lodge No. 503, Montreal Chapter No. 2046, Duke of Kent Lodge No. 5818, Bearsted Lodge No. 6069, Garden of England Lodge No. 6583, Maeides Stana No. 7868, Fleur de Lis Lodge No. 8969, and the Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons Charity.
“This was Freemasonry at its best — working together quietly, compassionately, and effectively.”
During the planning stages of preparing this article Steve is delighted to hear that thew news of the this project reached Sam Watson, Deputy Provincial Communications Officer for East Kent and Master of United Industrious Lodge No. 31 in Canterbury. Inspired by Switch’s work, Sam chose Switch Youth Services as his charity for his year in office — ensuring that Freemasons’ support for this remarkable organisation continues to grow.
