The Rainbow Centre is a Christian charity working in the Folkestone and Hythe district, supporting and empowering individuals and families experiencing deprivation and hardship, in order that they may have a future with stability, dignity and hope.

As a Christian organisation we are committed to serving people of all faith groups and beliefs or none and recognise the worth of everyone.

We are passionate about inclusion and being non-judgemental, and respect all those we serve, treating our guests and clients with empathy, consideration, kindness and fairness.  We recognise the support and help other local agencies offer and know that through collaboration, we can achieve the best outcomes for those who access our services.

Our vision is to help build a community in which everyone is included and can have the opportunity to live and work in dignity with hope for the future. Our approach is to help people out of crises so that they can sustain themselves.

We have, at our peak, over 350 volunteers, without whom the organisation would be unable to offer the range of services dedicated to help the neediest people in our local community. You can be part of our support team by becoming a donor to help sustain our presence in Folkestone & Hythe district.

From small acorns, great oaks grow. Our charity started 40 years ago with a simple goal: to help our community and improve the lives and wellbeing of those experiencing hardship. The Folkestone Family Care Centre began to respond to the needs of individuals and families facing crises in 1985, when Christians from different Church traditions decided to work together to help the people that society often overlooks in the Folkestone and Hythe district (formerly Shepway).

Renamed the Folkestone Rainbow Centre in 1992, the organisation continues to support people in times of crisis, through its Homeless Support Service, Foodbank, Pantry FoodStop, Money First Aid, and Winter Shelter. The legacy of helping local families also continues by offering supported contact for separated families through the twice monthly Family Contact sessions. The Rainbow Centre works in partnership with Churches Together in Folkestone, which is committed to showing Christian care and compassion in the town.

Today, people across Folkestone and Hythe who find themselves in crisis turn to us for emergency food, housing advocacy, a shelter in winter, money advice and family support. We will not give up supporting our community, because we believe everyone deserves stability, dignity and hope for the future. 

Rainbow Centre Annual Report 2024 (published July 2025)

Rainbow Centre Annual Accounts 2024
(published July 2025)

Winter Shelter Project Report 2024-25 (published May 2025)