The Dover smART Project – Our First Corporate Member

At our 2025 Handover meeting, we were delighted to welcome aboard our very first Corporate Member.  Co-founder, Dawn Foulkes, became the  smArt Project’s Principal Member with full Rotarian rights; Laura Hardy, the other smART co-founder is one of the four Alternate Members who can represent smART at Rotary meetings and events.

The Rotary Club of Dover has been a long-time supporter of the smART Project and was delighted to see them able to move into their new Gallery and Workshop in Bench Street.

Founded by Dawn and Laura in 2013, smART’s initial objective was to provide opportunities for disadvantaged children, mainly Young Carers, living in Dover to take part in a wide range of creative activities and experiences to boost their confidence, enhance their wellbeing, raise their aspirations and widen their outlook on the world.  With a small pot of funding the charity started running groups for Young Carers aged 5 to 18, so they could support children like Amy, who came to smART when she was just 11 years old.  She was caring for her brother with learning difficulties and her mum who has a heart condition.  Amy was an exhausted, withdrawn young girl, who was struggling at school.  With the help of smART, giving her the opportunity to relax and just be a child for a few hours a week, she now attends university where she is chasing her dream of being a Vet.

As the charity evolved it began similar work with other age groups, setting up a weekly group for older people who may be isolated in the community and those living with a dementia, like Michael who is living with the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease.  His wife Sarah cares for him and they both come along to smART group, it has given them new friendships, relaxation through the art activities they take part in and confidence to be part of their community so Michael can live well with his condition.