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Without the support of charities the county would be on its knees, according to the head of a funding organisation.
Josephine McCartney, chief executive of the Kent Community Foundation, has highlighted the necessity of the sector in providing care and support to vulnerable people across the county.
Joining as a guest on the KM Community podcast, Mrs McCartney said charities are essential in supporting communities and families that for whatever reason local and national government is unable to.
She said: “I think we're always going to be reliant at some level on people's goodwill and the goodwill of the community, because charity is your community. That's what it is.”
It comes after the Charity Commission published a report this week calling for a better understanding of the charity sector and its value for communities in the UK.
The Kent Community Foundation awarded more than £2 million to charity organisations in 2018, focussing on issues like homelessness, food poverty, education, and crime.
Although Mrs McCartney is aware of objections to some people being paid to work in the voluntary sector, she said it is necessary to ensure charities are run in a way which can provide the best support possible.
Listen to Josephine McCartney talk charities on the KM Community Podcast
She said: “You wouldn't expect of a group of volunteers to be managing an organisation that's generating £10 million pounds per annum, you just wouldn't.
“I would be worried if I give my money to an organisation that size with that big a problem to solve that it was all being run by volunteers.
“So I never apologise for the fact that some people do get paid to do their job in the volunteer sector.”
The foundation is currently looking to support local groups across Kent and Medway who are supporting women and girls with issues like period poverty, domestic and sexual abuse, mental health, and long-term unemployment.
It has £89,000 to award to groups before the deadline on October 18.
