Support

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

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

Family Action transforms lives by providing practical, emotional and financial support to those who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage and social isolation across the country.

Call: 0808 802 6666

Email: info@family-action.org.uk

Family Lives provides targeted early intervention and crisis support to families. If you need to talk, we’re here to listen.

Call: 0808 800 2222

Email: askus@familylives.org.uk

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.

Call: 01634 380 038

Email: info@relatemnk.co.uk

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.

0300 222 0123 or for hearing impaired 07860 022819

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.

Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

Email: info@mind.org.uk

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.

Email: enquiries@megancic.org.uk

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.

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

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

Email: office@allsaintscommunityproject.org.uk

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

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

Based at Sunlight Centre, Gillingham, we are a community-owned and managed charity working to improve health and well-being in our local area.

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.

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: 01634 336682

Address: 99-101 High St, Chatham

Call: 01634 336000

Address: Kingsley House 37-39 Balmoral Rd, Gillingham

Call Medway Foodbank for help with food and signposting: Tues – Thurs 9.30am – 3.30pm and Fri 9.30am – 1.30pm

Call: 01634 75705

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

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.