Compaid helps disabled, older and other vulnerable people to overcome the barriers of social, digital and economic exclusion

About us

Compaid helps disabled, older and other vulnerable people to overcome the barriers of social and digital exclusion, and to live their lives to the full.

Each year, thousands of people use our digital skills training and accessible transport services in and around the South East of England.

Working in partnership with local authorities, housing associations, job centres and other charities, our staff and volunteers change lives for the better every day.

More About Compaid

Discover Compaid

How we help

Digital Skills Training

We provide one to one support to learn how to safely use the internet, social media, and apps such as Microsoft Office and Corel Draw. Training is offered at our own Training Centre, or remotely in people’s own homes.

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Accessible Transport

We provide door to door transport for disabled and older people to access local shops, day services, medical appointments and outings with family and friends. We offer a choice of wheelchair accessible vehicles, from minibuses for large groups to smaller adapted cars.

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What people have said about us

“A massive thank you for giving me the confidence to explore computers. This has been absolutely invaluable to me in starting my new career path after a long break.”

Tracey, disabled job seeker in Maidstone
“After a traffic accident, I wanted to put my computer experience to good use, helping others to gain digital skills. Volunteering at Compaid helped me with my own speech and increased my confidence and independence.”

Dave, Compaid volunteer

News

Tonbridge Lions 39th Annual Charity & Community Groups Walk

Tonbridge Lions Club is holding its 39th Annual Sponsored Walk for Charity and Community Groups on Sunday 7th July 2024. Compaid will be taking part in the 4.5, 6, or 9-mile sponsored walk around the beautiful Kent countryside. Registration and the start of the walk is at Shipbourne Village Hall, TN11 9PL. The walk will start from 9 am, so you can start anytime as long as you are back in the allotted time. Tonbridge Lions Club marshals will be present at road crossings and there will be a first aid specialist on stand-by at Shipborne. The organisers recognise the need for rest breaks, so they ask that these do not become too extended to prevent their marshals & back markers being out on route for extended periods of time. It is expected that all walkers have completed the course by 1.30pm. How you can support: Join us in our challenge to enhance learning experiences at our Paddock Wood digital skills centre! We would like to raise £1500 to install an innovative interactive whiteboard, enriching the educational experience for our clients and empowering them with advanced technological skills. Your support is invaluable, so we would like to invite you to walk with our Team Compaid and contribute a suggested donation of £10 (or more if you desire). Every pound donated will directly contribute to furnishing our centre with this cutting-edge equipment. If this initiative doesn't resonate with you, we appreciate any support you can offer towards our art project. You can make a donation here: https://tinyurl.com/compaid-donation,and please leave your email so we can express our gratitude personally! Together, let's make a difference in our community through education and empowerment. If you would like to join the walk: Please email our Fundraising Manager, Diane Bradley, at dianebradley@compaid.org.uk by Friday 21st June 2024 and let her know whether you would like to walk the 6 mile or 9-mile course, and your name(s) if being joined by friends & family. We thank you for your support!

Zak Skinner trains for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games

Zak's consistent training over several months has been impressive, and observing his development is truly motivational, and with support from his new team at Blue Carpet Sports Management, Zak is set to perform excellently in the Paris Paralympic Games, starting on August 28th 2024. Here are some words from Zak’s manager, Tom Bosworth: “With the season fast approaching the magnitude of the year’s preparation for the games have been turned up a notch. With a lot of the final hard graft being done now before we settle into a competition season. The training since the indoors season has been hard and testing but also very enjoyable. “Zak is in a really good place and excited to show his form in his early competitions. With one final training camp set out in Turkey this month to fine tune his training and get him ready to compete. We hope to see him competing at the end of May/June both in the long jump runways and in the 100m. “It’s an exciting time and he can’t wait to get out there now and get his road to Paris fully underway!” More exciting news comes in the form of Zak’s presence in upcoming documentaries that will feature on Channel 4. Some of Britain’s biggest track and field stars will be heading into the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris this summer with Channel 4 cameras following their preparations and training. Two fly-on-the-wall documentaries, in partnership with The National Lottery, will provide a unique insight into the journey these athletes take and the sacrifices they make to be able to compete for Olympic or Paralympic gold. The series will explore what it takes to be a professional athlete heading to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Each athlete has a unique story to tell, and the series will follow their gruelling training sessions, championship battles and the challenge of trying to qualify for the Games. Viewers will be introduced to the high-performance support environment, enabled by National Lottery players, including coaches, nutritionists, physiotherapists, and psychologists. This team that sits behind every National Lottery-supported elite athlete will give a unique insight into the mentality and physicality of an elite sportsperson fighting to represent their country. The nine athletes set to take part in the documentary are just some of the over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme. The first episode, which is being made in partnership with the National Lottery, will focus on four Olympians. They are world and Olympic 800metres silver medallist Hodgkinson, the last two 1500m world champions, Kerr and Jake Wightman, as well as high jumper Morgan Lake. In episode two, five Paralympic athletes will feature – sprinter Peacock, wheelchair racers Hannah Cockroft and Nathan Maguire, long jumper Zak Skinner and shot put and discus thrower Funmi Oduwaiye. Follow our Facebook page to get all the up-to-date information about our ambassador Zak Skinner’s involvement in this programme.

Introducing Steve Sherry - Compaid's New CEO

Steve Sherry CMG OBE has been in the sector for over 12 years providing vital support for people with disabilities and health conditions. He is passionate about communities and reducing social isolation. After Stephen Elsden's retirement this March, Steve is now leading Compaid as we deliver transport services and digital training services right across Kent to vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. Get to know Steve and his vision for the future of Compaid in this video: Join us in giving Steve a warm welcome to Compaid! We look forward to the future of the charity with his leading.

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Volunteering

There have been volunteers at Compaid since the beginning, giving their essential support to staff & clients.

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