The British Heart Foundation run a number of shops across Kent and Medway which provide volunteering opportunities for those looking to work towards getting back into employment.

• Volunteer work placements
• Wide range of ages – work closely with agencies such as the Shaw Trust
• Range of tasks, from shop display and retail to lifting boxes, cleaning items, ironing or steaming
• Solitary (backroom) or social (retail) available

25 St Peter’s Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2BQ to see the location on a google map click here.
Telephone: 01227 785481

Canterbury & Herne Bay Volunteer Centre helps people find a volunteering role which matches their skills, experience and circumstances.

The personal benefits of volunteering can range from:

• helping to meet people
• open your eyes to new opportunities
• develop and use new skills
• build up your confidence
• keep you active while unemployed
• help build your CV
• give you a good reference

Tower Works, Simmonds Road, Wincheap Industrial Estate, Canterbury CT1 3RA. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01227 452278, or email: [email protected], to go to their website follow the link: www.chbvc.org

Catch 22 supports care leavers with the transition from the care system to adulthood and independent living, including accessing suitable and secure accommodation. Kent 16+ operates a supported lodging scheme for young people whereby they can live within a family-type environment whilst acquiring the independent living skills and emotional resilience necessary to enable them to live independently. The carers within this scheme are approved and receive comprehensive training and on-going support and supervision from the dedicated supported accommodation officers within the service.

Catch 22 services is committed to ensuring young people have the best possible chance to succeed in life, with support including:

• a dedicated worker to help each young person achieve the things that are important them
• a plan to keep track of the important things (a Pathway Plan)
• assistance in accessing and sustaining college and university
• help with gaining employability skills
• help with finances
• volunteering opportunities
• help in having their opinions heard
• referring to other specialist teams or workers
• accessing their care files.

Catch 22 services are all over and Kent and Medway to search for your local service click here.

To go to their website follow the link: www.catch-22.org.uk

CXK delivers a range of services across Kent to support young people and families to maximise their potential. In particular by providing them with advice, guidance, skills and the confidence that will help them to progress into education, employment and training. Services include:

• careers guidance, advice and work related learning for vulnerable young people and adults (including the National Careers Service);
• mental health & wellbeing services (Young Healthy Minds);
• Leadership & Development programmes for young people including the National Citizen Service and the Prince’s Trust team programme;
• Management of youth centres and a mobile youth service (Community Activity teams);
• Training Programmes for those not in employment, education and training (European Social Fund);
• Accredited training for adults and professionals working with young people
• Parenting programmes and family workshops

Telephone: 01795 439397, email: [email protected]. For their website follow the link: www.cxk.org

Headway want to promote understanding of all aspects of brain injury and to provide information, support and services to people with a brain injury, their families and carers.
Headway aim to:

• To increase awareness of brain injury and its consequences
• To provide information and support for people with brain injuries, their relatives and carers and concerned professional people
• To promote improved approaches to brain injury screening, acute care, assessment, rehabilitation and social re-integration
• To assist people with brain injuries to return to community living, including access to appropriate accommodation, social outlets, and productive activity

Helpline 0808 8002244. You can see their website by following the link: www.headway.org.uk

Jobcentre Plus Canterbury can help you with all areas of employment, from job seeking, job opportunities and looking for work or making changes to a claim.

• Combined jobsearch and benefits service for people of working age.
• Personal advisers assist with jobsearch activities and benefits claims
• Access to Jobpoint terminals for information on job vacancies
• Part of the Department for Work and Pensions’ Jobcentre Plus network

Northgate House, 115-120 Northgate, Canterbury, CT1 1EZ to see the location on a google map click here.

Telephone: 0845 6043719, to go to the website follow the link:

https://www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus

Kent Adult Education provide a range of courses and information in Kent. There are short courses or longer more involved courses as well as free taster sessions - all designed for you to Keep Learning.

Why not take up a new hobby, rediscover an old hobby or just get active? Find a course to suit you at Kent Adult Education.

• Courses for adults for work, recreation and leisure
• Literacy and Numeracy help and support
• crafts, arts, education

Telephone: 0845 6065606 or email at: [email protected]

To go to their website follow the link: www.kentadulteducation.co.uk

The Kent Healthy Business Awards are Kent County Council’s response to the National Charter for Health & Wellbeing. The Kent Healthy Business Awards are self-assessment standards that can help to improve the health of your workforce and economic performance.

Evidence suggests that a workplace with a staff wellbeing programme, benefits from improved staff productivity, reduced sickness absence and improved staff engagement.

They are also a great way to:

• showcase your people, services and skills
• build your reputation for commitment to best practice in health, safety and wellbeing
• support your business development and tendering activity
• get support in developing policies and procedures
• show your compliance with laws and regulations.

Find out more by going to our Kent Healthy Business Awards information.

The Live It Well Website has a range of information and advice all designed to support your mental health and wellbeing. Find out about the Six Ways to Wellbeing and what people in Kent are doing to support their wellbeing.

We have information on money and benefits, debt help and advice, mental health services and how to get help in Kent and Medway.

We have a unique database of local support and help that is available in your community.

We have listings for all of the NHS Talking therapy providers in Kent, so if you are struggling find out how you can refer yourself into services here.

• Gives advice and links to other services
• Local focus website, with links to social activities, physical health and things to do in Kent and Medway
• Hosts the Live It Library - mental health recovery stories
• Offers support pages, live online support and local information
• Information on how the community mental health teams work and the mental health system in Kent and Medway
• Supports the Six Ways to Wellbeing and has local suggestions to support these - Connect, Be Active, Keep Learning, Take Notice, Give, and Planet - Care
• Employment , money and debt advice
• Information about personal budgets and self direct support
• Information on carers groups and service user networks
• Information on PTSD
• Information on Housing help and support

We are always looking to improve our website so if you have any ideas about how we can help let us know. To go to the home page go to www.liveitwell.org.uk or to contact Live It Well email: [email protected]

The Live Well Kent service is there to help people improve their mental and physical health and wellbeing. It is a free service for anyone over 17. Some of the things Live Well Kent can help with are:

Mental health and wellbeing

• Understanding and managing thoughts and emotions
• Achieving personal goals
• Accessing therapies and support groups.

Keeping active and healthy

• Healthy living support eg stopping smoking or cutting down on alcohol
• Dance clubs
• Walking groups and sporting activities.

Meeting people

• Volunteering
• Social enterprises and community projects
• Arts, music and culture groups.

Training and work

• Gaining new skills
• Finding the right job.

Everyday living

• Managing money, including debt and benefits
• Housing support and guidance

Live Well Kent’s aim is to connect people with their communities, ensuring they have access to the widest possible range of support and services to meet their particular needs.

So if you are looking for help and support for yourself or someone you know call on 0800 567 7699 or email [email protected] and they talk you through how we can help you and give the support and advice you need. To go to their website go to: www.livewellkent.org.uk

Live Well Kent is delivered on behalf of Kent County Council and the NHS by two charities, Porchlight and Shaw Trust.

The Primary Care Community Link Service works alongside your GP practice. It is there to help you find a way through to problems you are facing by building your confidence, helping you to feel more included in your community and help you to address any issues that may be affecting your housing or ability to live as independently as you would like.

Telephone: 0800 567 76 99 (or 0300 365 76 99 from a mobile) or email: [email protected]

To go to their website follow the link: www.porchlight.org.uk

Support and advice is provided in a range areas including:

• Money
• Housing
• Education, training and volunteering
• Community involvement
• Health
• Drugs & Alcohol
• Confidence

Support is completely free and can last for up to 8 weeks. The service is open to adults (18+) living in Kent who feel that their circumstances have affected their mental health and well-being. Speak to your GP and ask them to complete a referral form for you. If you prefer, you can refer yourself by phone or email and they will let your GP know that you have been in touch.

www.porchlight.org.uk

Royal British Legion Industries provides a work programme designed to:

• CV Building
• Interview Preparation
• Job Searching and Application
• Confidence building

They also provide welfare, healthcare and housing services for veterans and ex armed services personnel and their families
Extensive support including residential nursing, supported accommodation and rehabilitation

Address: RBLI, Hall Rd, Aylesford, Nr. Maidstone, ME20 7NL

Telephone Nos: 01622 795954/795900 or email at: [email protected].

For the website follow the link: www.rbli.co.uk

The Social Enterprise Kent - Employment Support Service supports individuals who are experiencing stress-related illness, anxiety and depression or those who are living with a mental health condition.

They help with:

• CV Writing
• Job Searching
• Application Forms
• Interview Skills
• Job retention or in-work Support with you and your employer
• Benefits Guidance
• Support to access education/training

Tel: 07580 587989 or email: [email protected] for all enquiries.

Follow the link to go to their website: www.sekgroup.org.uk

St Giles Trust aims to help break the cycle of prison, crime and disadvantage and create safer communities by supporting people to change their lives. Their services put reformed ex-offenders at the heart of the solution, training them to use their skills and first-hand experience to help others through peer-led support. Around one-third of our staff are ex-offenders who now support others.

Skills and employment services for ex offenders includes:

• On the job training,
• regular monitoring and supervision,
• professional training in a range of areas,
• a one-to-one session with a specialist in disclosure,
• involvement in our Peer Advisor User Group,
• access to employment opportunities and support to move into paid employment
• Work with prisoners towards rehabilitation and support
• Youth offenders and those at list of offending, support and projects
• Supports prisoners in prison and on release towards work and independence
• Support for children and families of offenders

Telephone: 0207 703 7000 or email: [email protected]

To go to their website follow the link: www.stgilestrust.org.uk

TheSite.org is an online guide to life for 16-25 year olds in the UK. It provides non-judgmental support and information on everything from sex and stress to debt and drugs.

Straight-talking emotional support is available 24 hours a day. There are options for:

• Chatting about anything on moderated discussion boards and live chat rooms
• Browsing over 2000 articles and videos full of trustworthy facts
• Reading about the experiences of other young people in the True Life section
• Asking questions about friends, dating, love or family life to trained advisors – free and confidential

They have information and advice on:

• Sex & Relationships
• Your Body
• Mental Health
• Drink & Drugs
• Housing
• Money
• Work & Study
• Crime & Safety
• Travel & Lifestyle

www.thesite.org

Whitstable Umbrella Centre provides a range of community support and groups for people in Whitstable. Whitstable Community Umbrella Centre welcomes everyone particularly aim to support those who may be dealing with loneliness, depression, bereavement and/or mental health issues.

• Internet Workstations - They have computers with free internet access for public use, just ask in the office
• Parasol Mental Health Support Group - this group offers a wide range of activities, some more structured than others, so there should be something for all tastes. Learn a new skill or just drop in for a chat. Contact us or drop into the office for more information
• Computer skillls workshops - designed for all ages and abilities, our computer courses are always popular and have covered many topics from using the internet, tracing your family history, to getting the most out of your digital camera.
• Hobby groups - from knitting, to crafts, scrabble and bowls, there is a wide range of interest groups to choose from
• Health and Wellbeing - there are many opportunities here to keep fit and healthy without joining a gym! From our relaxed but popular walk and talk group, to keep fit and dance classes for all ages, check out the timetable to find something to suit your pace.
• Community Events - our hall is a popular venue for many community events, including regular dates such as the farmers market, boot fairs and antique sales and also one-off events like craft fairs.
• Volunteering - there are many opportunites for volunteering at the Umbrella centre, do get in touch if you think you can offer some time whatever your background, it can be a very rewarding experience.
• Community Support - Kent Law school have an outreach clinic based at our centre which can offer free legal advice. Citizens Advice Bureau also run weekly outreach appointments here.

Address: Whitstable Umbrella Centre: St. Marys Hall, Oxford Street, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 1DD, To see the location of the centre on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01227 274880 or follow the link to go to their website: www.whitstableumbrella.co.uk

Whitstable Volunteer centre help people find a volunteering role which matches their skills, experience and circumstances.

St Mary’s Hall, Oxford Street, Whitstable, CT5 1DD. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01227 772248, or email: [email protected]. To go to their web page click here, or go to the following link: www.whitstablevc.org.uk