More Useful Resources
Children and Family Hubs
Children and Family Hubs and wellbeing centres offer families with children places to meet new people. This ensures that all children get the best start in life and parents get the support and advice they need.
At our Children and Family Hubs we offer:
- drop-in sessions for parents and children with activities including baby groups, with self- weigh, and stay and play sessions
- antenatal classes and baby clinics
- links with local schools and voluntary agencies
- information and advice about breastfeeding, speech and language, parenting, health issuesand all difficult experiences that families with babies and young children often face.For the latest timetable of sessions please follow them on Facebook at Medway Children and Family Service @medwayfamily
Parenting Smart
parentingsmart.place2be.org.uk
A children’s mental health charity that provides mental health support and parenting advice from child mental health experts.
The website is full of practical tips to support children’s wellbeing and behaviour for parents of primary school aged children.
BBC – Tiny Happy People
www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people
Advice on a whole range of parenting topics. Recipes, activity ideas and information and child devlopment milestones.
Action For Children – Parent Talk
parents.actionforchildren.org.uk
Find answers to parenting questions in advice articles. Or talk to a parenting coach about anything that’s worrying you.
It’s all free, and no topic is too big, small, or embarrassing.
The National Autistic Society
The Directory helps autistic people, their families and the professionals who work with them to find local and national services. It includes residential, supported living and respite, employment support, diagnostic, schools and nurseries, social groups and leisure activities, solicitors, and advocacy organisations.
Medway Parents & Carers Forum
An independent parent led group. MPCF is an independent parent led group of parents and carers of young people with all types of disabilities and additional needs.
Address c/o Snapdragons Centre, Cliffe Road, Rochester, ME2 3FF
Ambitious about Autism
Straightforward information for parents/ carers about navigating the autism Early Years journey.
Contact
This website has advice and information about concerns a family might have about raising a child with additional needs. The charity runs a free helpline and offers a Listening Ear support service.
Family Action
Family Action transforms lives by providing practical, emotional and financial support to those who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage and social isolation across the country.
Family Lives
Family Lives provides targeted early intervention and crisis support to families. If you need to talk, we’re here to listen.
Homestart Medway
Home-Start Medway provides unique services for families with children across Medway. Every parent has the support they need to give their children the best start in life.
Crisis Resilience Support Fund
https://www.medway.gov.uk/info/200906/crisis_and_resilience_fund
The Crisis and Resilience Fund will launch on Wednesday 1 April 2026.
It aims to provide a safety net for people on low incomes when they face unexpected money problems, and help build local financial resilience so future crises are less likely.
Funded by the UK government, the fund is made up of 4 components.
Kent and Medway Talking Therapies
Kent and Medway Talking Therapies is a free and confidential NHS service offering mental health support across Kent and Medway.
Our talking therapies are available to anyone over 17.5 years old, living in the Kent and Medway area.
Our services include talking and listening therapies, like counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy, to help you feel like yourself again.
Children and Young People's Mental Health
https://www.medway.gov.uk/childmentalhealth
Explore all that is on offer to support children and young peoples mental health in Medway.
Mental Health Crisis Support (24h helpline)
0300 222 0123 or for hearing impaired 07860 022819
CALM
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is leading a movement against suicide. Every week 125 people in the UK take their own lives. And 75% of all UK suicides are male. CALM exists to change this. Join the campaign to take a stand against suicide.
Call: 0800 58 58 58
Mind
Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
Call: 0300 123 3393
Megan CIC
MEGAN CIC aim to provide opportunities for people experiencing mental health issues to share their views and experiences. They offer peer support through group attendance and raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing to combat stigma and discrimination.
Call: 01634 402077
Tommy Crush Foundation
Help and support is available right now if you need it. You do not have to struggle with difficult feelings along.
Call: 07595 910 350
Papyrus
Papyrus is a leading youth suicide prevention charity in the UK. Our suicide prevention helpline, HOPELINEUK, is staffed by trained suicide prevention advisers, who work with young people – and anybody concerned for a young person – to help keep them safe from suicide. HOPELINEUK is a free and confidential call, text and email service, which is available from 9am to midnight, every day of the year.
Call: 0800 068 4141
PREVENT
Prevent is a crucial element of the UK’s strategy to combat terrorism. It aims to stop individuals from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
Kent & Medway – Countering Extremism in Young People
Samaritans
Samaritans provide emotional support for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgment or pressure. By phone, text and in person in branches across the UK, they are there 24 hours a day.
Call: 116 123
A Better Medway
A Better Medway is the public health department of Medway Council. They offer a wide array of free health services for residents, and it is always worth visiting their website to find out what support is available. Services include help with giving up smoking, weight loss programmes, walking and cycling groups and NHS health checks. A Better Medway also runs services for families with children aged between 2 and 15 to help them eat more healthily and be more active.
Walk in GP service
Community Healthy Living Centre, Balmoral Clinic, Balmoral Gardens, Gillingham
Call: 01634 334900
The Public Health Team at Medway Council offer a free 12-week healthy lifestyle course which aims to equip adults with the knowledge and skills they need to achieve good health and wellbeing.
Healthy Way is a community-based lifestyle programme which looks at making small lasting changes to reduce the risks of Type 2 Diabetes, Cardiovascular disease, and supporting weight loss and physical activity. A different topic is discussed each week such as looking at the Eat Well guide, the types of foods that support good health, stress management, behaviour change, bone health or physical activity. You will discuss barriers and set up individual goals. Having some personal goals can really help towards success.
Courses are delivered throughout Medway at various times to suit different schedules.
You can self-refer by calling: 01634 334814 or by emailing at healthyway@medway.gov.uk
Medway Domestic Abuse Support
https://www.medway.gov.uk/info/200221/a_better_medway/1119/domestic_abusewww.womensaid.org.uk
There is lots of support on offer in Medway. Explore the domestic abuse service and other helpful information here.
Call the Medway Domestic Abuse Service confidential number on 0800 917 9948 or email helpline@oasisdaservice.org.
The Kent and Medway Domestic Abuse Partnership (KMDAP)
https://www.domesticabuseservices.org.uk/
Get the right support quickly with the Kent & Medway Domestic Abuse Partnership. The Kent and Medway Domestic Abuse Partnership (KMDAP) aims to reduce domestic abuse and get those affected the right support, quickly.
Looking to speak to someone? Call the helpline: 0808 168 9276
All Saints Community Project
www.allsaintscommunityproject.org.uk
All Saints Community Project Trust was set up in 2001 and became a registered charity in 2012. It was established as a response to the needs and issues faced by many people in the All Saints area of Chatham. Over the years they have worked with many partners, bringing much needed help and resources to support day to day life.
Call: 01634 845419
Medway Street Angels
Medway street angels is a charity that supports the local homeless community, as well as others in need, in the Medway area of Kent. We offer advice, comfort, and a wonderful air of welcome to all our guests, with a range of practical help.
Email: contact@msahomeless.co.uk
Medway Library
Find out what is on offer at your local library. Find where your local library is, how to join and what services you can access.
ABC Project
Action for Borstal Community is a community project based in Borstal, Rochester, Kent. They offer services such as training courses, family support, IT and internet facilities, a playgroup, CV and job search.
Call: 01634 817 454
Email: enquiries@abcproject.org.uk
Sunlight Development Trust
Based at Sunlight Centre, Gillingham, we are a community-owned and managed charity working to improve health and well-being in our local area.
Call: 01634 581511
Email: info@sunlight@rust.org.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau
Citizens Advice is an independent organisation specialising in confidential information and advice to assist people with legal, debt, consumer, housing and other problems in the United Kingdom.
Call: 0800 144 8848
Job Centre Plus
Jobcentre Plus is a government-funded employment agency and social security office that can be found in most cities, whose aim it is to help people of working age find employment in the UK.
Call: 0800 169 0190
Employment Medway Advice Centre
Call: 01634 336682
Address: 99-101 High St, Chatham
Housing Options
Call: 01634 336000
Address: Kingsley House 37-39 Balmoral Rd, Gillingham
Medway Foodbank
Call Medway Foodbank for help with food and signposting: Tues – Thurs 9.30am – 3.30pm and Fri 9.30am – 1.30pm
Call: 01634 75705
Email: info@medway.foodbank.org.uk
Medway Food Partnership
The Medway Food Partnership is working with local businesses and the not-for-profit sector to:
- make sure everyone has access to sustainable and healthy food
- build the public’s education and skills around healthy food
- create healthier communities and better futures for our residents.Our aim is to support healthy and happy communities whilst ensuring that we create an eco-friendly and sustainable economy.Food creates opportunities to bring people together, celebrate our cultures and make new connections with people.Food is not just fuel, it is at the centre of everything, helping us to thrive and improve our lives.To get involved in the food partnership or to tell us about any great organisations or businesses in your area please get in touch at foodpartnership@medway.gov.uk
Food Support in Medway
https://www.medway.gov.uk/info/200578/food_support_in_medway
There is lots of support available to help you get food in Medway. Explore what is on offer on this page. Find out where you local Food Bank is and what other support you can get access to.
Medway Council – Child Resources
Get advice and tips on looking after your child’s mental health. Medway offer lots of free support, activities and opportunities for your whole family.
Medway Libraries
Medway Libraries for You: Join a local library near you for free or explore the online library services they have on offer.
Libraries in Medway run many services for the whole family, from books clubs, toddler groups and even Lego club!
BBC Bitesize
BBC Bitesize is a free online study support resource designed to help with learning, revision and homework! Bitesize provides support for learners aged 5 to 16+ across a wide range of school subjects.
It also supports children and young people’s wellbeing and career choices.’
Easy art activities for kids to do at home
Encourage creativity and artistic expression with these fun, easy art activities for kids, including watercolour paintings, craft stick projects, simple stamped art, and more.
Active with Joe Wicks
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002j871/activate-with-joe-wicks
6 minute fun workouts for children
Little Sports
Interactive workout videos for children.
Body Buddies
The Body Buddies are here to help to combat child obesity –
We are the Body Buddies. We are the Super Heroes that live in your bodies and keep you strong, fit and healthy. We’re going to show you what jobs we do and how you can keep us happy. The happier we are the healthier you are! Support our kids to live a healthier life.
10 minute shake up
Change4Life and Disney have teamed up to bring you play-along games inspired by your favourite Disney and Pixar characters. These 10-minute bursts of fun will really get your kids moving and count towards the 60 active minutes they need every day!
Medway Council – HAF Documents
Please click each document to view and download: