Hope (Kent) provide supported accommodation for homeless ex-offenders or those at risk of offending throughout Kent. Beyond Homelessness works in partnership with the Kent Probation Area of the National Probation Service.

Beyond Homelessness main aim and objective is to support and assist ex-offenders and those at risk of offending by the provision of a secure environment in which residents may acquire the skills needed for independent living.

To find out more go to the Beyond Homelessness website here: www.beyondhomelessness.org.uk or telephone: 01634 819649

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 employment 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

Contact: Mrs Ann Terry, address: 82, Sandgate Road, Folkestone CT20 2AA. To see the location of this service on a map click here. Telephone: 01303-223794

The B48s’ offers parents of young children a free drop-in Centre; providing essential support, information and advice. They provide support groups on an array of family focused subjects where problems and concerns can be aired and shared while children play in the well-equipped play area

• Folkestone-based charity
• A drop-in, family support centre
• The service works with children’s centres, to ensure people get the support they need
• For children under 4 years of age (before school)
• Provides support, advice and information for children and their families
• Support groups on various family-focused subjects, such as breast feeding
• Can be freely used for parents to feed and change their baby/toddler, or to use the play area facilities

Contact: Kevin, address: 4 Town Walk, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2AD. To see the location of this service on a map click here.
Telephone: 0800 6335893 or email: [email protected].

To go to their websitefollow the link: www.b48s.org.uk

Carers Support offer information, advocacy, emotional and practical support as well as drop in groups and the Kent Carers Emergency Card for carers in Ashford, Shepway and Swale. They understand that carers often experience a sense of isolation, stress, guilt and anger and our staff are available to help either over the telephone or face to face.

They offer a range of support that includes:

• Meet & Talk Groups
• Drop-In Points
• Information Desks
• 1-2-1 Support
• Telephone Support
• Well-Being Check
• Carers Assessments
• Respite Opportunities
• Advocacy
• Training and Education

Carers Support, Norman House, Beaver Business Park, Beaver Road, Ashford, Kent, TN23 7SH. To see the location on a google map click here.

Tel: 01233 664393 or email: [email protected]

To go to their website click here, or go to the following link: www.carers-ashford.org.uk

Carers’ Support - Canterbury, Dover & Thanet provide emotional support, information and guidance to people over the age of 18 who provide help and support to a relative, friend or neighbour, who could not manage without their help due to physical or mental illness, addiction or disability.

Becoming a Carer can happen to anyone at any time and affects people from all cultures and of all ages.

Carers’ Support - Canterbury, Dover & Thanet can help support carers with financial worries, emotional and physical stress, isolation and loneliness. Carers’ Support - Canterbury, Dover & Thanet help to provide emotional support, respite breaks and advice.

Carers’ Support - Canterbury, Dover & Thanet work in partnership with other agencies to assist Carers to make informed positive decisions about their own lives.

Carers’ Support - Canterbury, Dover & Thanet services include:

• Information - Carers’ Support - Canterbury, Dover & Thanet can provide information about support and services available and Carers’ entitlements and rights.
• Support - Carers’ Support - Canterbury, Dover & Thanet offer a listening ear, support groups, activities and training for Carers.
• Carer’s Needs Assessment - we carry out Carer’s Needs Assessments on behalf of the local authority.
• Kent Carer’s Emergency Card - Carers’ Support - Canterbury, Dover & Thanet administer this free service to provide peace of mind when you are away from the person you care for.
• Health and Wellbeing - Carers’ Support - Canterbury, Dover & Thanet offer health and wellbeing sessions to Carers and work with GP’s to identify and support Carers’ own health and wellbeing.
• Assistance with Welfare Benefits - Carers’ Support - Canterbury, Dover & Thanet will help you see if you are entitled to to Carer’s Allowance and the person you care for may be entitled to benefits for example Personal Independence Payment.

Click here for their website or follow the link: www.carers-supportcdt.org.uk

Email: [email protected] or telephone: 01304 364637

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

Centra Support provides support for people who experience mental illness, older people, domestic abuse, young people, homelessness and learning disabilities with their accommodation needs. Centra Support projects are accommodation based. Centra Support provide a person centred approach, supporting people to achieve their aspirations, working closely with other agencies. There are five mental health schemes in Centra Kent. Four are accommodation based, with self contained flats and communal areas.

The Horizons projects, Archer House and George Culmer Court, are jointly managed with KMPT. People have more intensive support needs around both housing and mental health and may remain in their accommodation for some years. Referrals need to have a diagnosis of a mental illness and to be already receiving support from a CMHT.

Chaucer House and Lower Northdown Avenue are funded to support people with low or medium needs. The aim is for people to be living independently in the community within two years.

There is also another scheme, Release Planning and Re-enablement. (0238 1848729). Centra Support work in partnership with Oxleas NHS Trust with clients in Kent prisons who experience mental health and/or substance misuse issues and who are homeless. Centra Support help identify accommodation and provide a floating support service for up to 3 months upon release from prison.

To find out more about this service go to their website: www.centragroup.org.uk

Addresses and contacts for Centra Support projects:

Archer House, Sittingbourne : 01795 439120 email: [email protected]

George Culmer Court, Margate: 01843 297168

Lower Northdown Avenue, Cliftonville: 01843 223131

Chaucer House, Canterbury: 01227 454631

The Citizens Advice Bureau aims to provide the advice people need for the problems they face and improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives. They provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities.

The Citizens Advice Bureau can help with:

• To provide the advice people need for the problems they face
• Provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities
• Deal Bureau open 10-3 on a Tues And Wed
• Dover bureau open 10-3 on a Tue, Wed and Thurs
• Dover Gateway, Castle Street is open 10-3 on Tue and Wed

Locations:

• Dover Bureau, Maison Dieu Gardens, Dover

• Deal Bureau, Victoria Rd, Deal

Telephone: 07432556772 or email [email protected]

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

The Citizens Advice Bureau aims to provide the advice people need for the problems they face and improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives. They provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities.

• Provides help and advice for financial, legal, benefits, housing problems
• Debt management
• Website provides links and detailed addresses for local offices and times of opening

Addresses (details on website):

1. 20 Church St. Folkestone, to see this location click here.
2. The Village Children’s Centre, to see this location click here.
3. New Romney Old School House, to see this location click here.

Telephone: 0844 4994118 or 01303 220709

For their local and national website see the links below:

www.shepwaycab.co.uk

www.adviceguide.org.uk

Citizens’ Rights for Older People can help with:

• As an older person do you need help to make a complaint?
• Can you negotiate satisfactory care services for yourself?
• Do you need help filling in benefit forms?
• Is your landlord keeping to his tenancy agreement

They provide a service in the following areas:

• Maidstone, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks area
• Ashford and Shepway including rural areas
• Thanet, Dover, Canterbury, Swale and the Isle of Sheppey

To find your local service go to the website: www.cropkent.org.uk

Disability Information Services Kent (DISK) provide a free and confidential information service to any disabled person, the elderly, carers and service providers from both the voluntary and statutory sectors.

• Provides a one-stop point of information to disabled people and their carers.
• Information is held on a wide range of topics and services.
• Can provide one-to-one help with benefit forms. An appointment is required for this service.
• disability, information, benefits, forms

Address: 7, Town Walk, Folkestone, CT20 2AD. To see the location of this service on a map click here.

Telephone: 01303-226464 or email at: [email protected]

Dover Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) provide services to adults people living in the community who are experiencing mental health problems.

Coleman House, Brookfield Avenue, Dover, CT16 2AH. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01304 216666, for their website click here or to find out more about Community Mental Health Teams click here.

• Referrals to the CMHTs are usually made directly through a GP
• The intake element of a CMHT acts as a single point of access for all referrals to mental health services that we provide.
• If you are referred to a team they will assess you, signpost and offer short-term treatment as close as possible to your home

www.kmpt.nhs.uk

Dover District Council provides a range of services for the residents and businesses of Dover. Find out about local activities, leisure centres, groups, clubs and housing advice.

White Cliffs Business Park, Dover CT16 3PJ. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01304 821199 or email [email protected]. To go to their web page click here, or go to the following link: http://www.dover.gov.uk

Find out about local activities, leisure centres, groups, clubs and housing advice.

Dover District 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

Best of all, volunteering can:

• give you a feeling of satisfaction
• be very rewarding
• help to improve the lives of others within your community

Telephone: 01304367898 or email [email protected]. Opening Hours Monday to Friday 9.30am to 1pm

Address: 26 Victoria Rd, Deal. CT14 7BJ, click here to find this location on a google map. To go to their website follow the link: www.doverdistrictvolunteering.org.uk

East Kent Carers Council (EKCC): A carer involvement group which enables carers to debate and campaign on mental health issues. EKCC provides members with the opportunity to represent carers’ views at meetings of health and social care organisations such as the Kent and Medway Partnership Trust, CCG’s and Kent County Council.

• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 01227 761427

Family Mosaic Home Improvement agencies help to promote independence at home by offering a wide range of services that include:

HomeSafe:

• Information and advice to help you maintain independent living in your own home.
• Professional service to help you adapt your home to meet your needs.
• Fully insured surveyors and register of trusted contractors

Homefixed

• Affordable Handyperson service covering a raft of minor repairs and DIY type work
• Competitive quotation service for larger works, decorating and galvanized handrails
• Supply and fit keysafe service

Care Navigator Service

• Free confidential help, advice and support for older people
• We can help you find out about services available in your community
• Improve your confidence in decision making and dealing with everyday problems
• Take charge and manage your situation
• Improve your sense of wellbeing
• Assess, and arrange the supply of equipment and minor aids to your home.

To find your local service go to their website by following the link: www.familymosaic.co.uk

Get Connected are there for advice if you’re under 25, they are there for you, 365 days a year, for absolutely anything you’re going through. Get Connected are free, confidential, and you can contact them however you’d prefer - by phone, email, text or webchat.

They can help you with anything you are going through, and this includes:

• Abuse and violence
• Bullying, harassment and discrimination
• Citizenship and cultural issues
• Crime, the law and your rights
• Drink, drugs and addictions
• Families and care
• Feelings and mental health
• Gender and sexual identity
• Harming yourself
• Housing and homelessness
• Physical health
• Sex, relationships and pregnancy
• Work, education and money

To go to the Get Connected website click here, or follow the link: www.getconnected.org.uk

By phone - Call them free on 0808 808 4994 open from 1pm - 11pm every day

By text - Text them free on 80849 Texts will usually be answered within 24 hours

By Email - click here to go to the Get Connected contact page. Emails will usually be answered within 24 hours.

Gingerbread provide expert advice, practical support and campaign for single parents. They have a range of factsheets and advice on practical advice on issues such as money, work and family. If you can’t find what you’re looking for their helpline advisers are only a free phone call away.

So if you are looking for information and advice on any of the below topics (and more) and are a single parent Gingerbread can help:

• Child maintenance
• Contact
• Single Dads
• Employment
• Education
• Welfare benefits and tax credits
• Housing
• Debt, money and benefits.

The Gingerbread Single Parent Helpline is open as follows:

Mondays: 10am to 6pm,

Tuesdays / Thursdays / Fridays: 10am to 4pm

Wednesdays: 10am-1pm and 5pm-7pm.

Phone today for free, on 0808 802 0925.

For more information or to see the advice and factsheets available go to the Gingerbread website at: www.gingerbread.org.uk

Harbour Lights provide low cost counselling the Ashford and Deal area. The offer counselling for:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Panic
• Trauma
• Feeling Down
• Low Confidence
• Relationship Struggles
• Abuse
• Bereavement & Loss
• Cognitive & Integrative Approach

Address: Sycamores, Dover road, Walmer, Deal, Kent CT14 7NP or telephone 07517 224321 or 01304 363388

Many parents need help, friendship, advice or support during those early years when their children are young. If you have at least one child under five then Home Start can help. Being a parent, wherever you live or whatever the situation, is not easy. Many parents feel exhausted and overwhelmed by the stresses of family life. It is even more difficult if family or friends are unable to offer you support and breathing space when you most need it. Some parents lose confidence in their ability to cope and most can remember days when they would have liked someone to turn to.

A Home-Start volunteer will visit you regularly (usually once a week for a couple of hours) in your home and offer support through difficult times for as long as it is helpful or needed. You decide with your volunteer when visits will happen and how you spend the time. Home-Start volunteers are parents too and may have been supported by Home-Start themselves in the past. You can choose whether or not to accept Home-Start support. A volunteer will only visit at the invitation of the family.

They:

• Provide support for parents
• Support and Friendship for families

Address: The Ark, Noah’s Ark Road, Dover. Kent. CT17 0DD. Click here to see this location on a google map.

Telephone: 01304242314, or email [email protected]. To go to their website follow the link: www.home-startdoverdistrict.org.uk

Home Start Shepway: Many parents need help, friendship, advice or support during those early years when their children are young. If you have at least one child under five then Home Start can help. Being a parent can be a tough job, and a lack of support from family or friends can lead to isolation.

The Home-Start volunteers are all parents themselves, and offer friendship, support and strategies to help families establish good bedtime routines, manage challenging behaviour, and even finances. They also help families with more complex needs including mental health, child protection or domestic violence issues. They work with the family over a number of weeks providing confidential friendly support to help families grow in confidence, strengthen their relationships with their children and widen their links with the local community.

• Offers support and help for families
• Issues include isolation, post-natal depression, family illness, bereavement
• Groups and events
• Runs Freedom Programme for Domestic Violence

Contact: Sam Taylor (manager), address: 24 Cheriton Gardens, Folkestone, CT20 2AS. To see the location of this service on a google map click here. Telephone: 01303 244836 or email [email protected].

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

Homeless UK is an online resource providing advice and information on services, day centres and hostels. Find services or accommodation if you are having housing problems.

To go to the website click here, or go to the following link: www.homelessuk.org

To search for all services click here.

To search for accommodation click here.

SureStart Children’s Centres are places that provide information and services for families with young children aged from birth to five years in the local community and are great places to meet new people. SureStart Centres are designed to give children the best start in life and to support their parents and carers.

Each centre offers different services, including

• childcare
• early education
• training or finding a new job
• antenatal classes
• baby clinics
• support with breastfeeding
• support with parenting and speech and language
• drop-in sessions for parents and children
• Services for children with special needs and disabilities
• opportunities for families to get involved with volunteering and designing services

Please check with your local children’s centre to find out what they offer: www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/childcare-and-pre-school/childrens-centres

If you are experiencing a family dispute Kent Family Mediation Service can offer low cost mediation at a variety of venues in Kent.

They can help you with:

• Have recently separated, or separated some time ago from your partner
• Are a heterosexual, homosexual or a same sex couple i.e. gay or lesbian
• Are already Divorced
• Wish to divorce or dissolve your civil partnership
• Are a Grandparent or other family member who would like to make arrangements to see a child/children
• Have a shared interest in a financial matter, albeit you never lived with the other person
• Lived with the other person, were not married and have a family or a financial matter that you wish to resolve
• Still live together and wish to separate
• Are still married or still in a civil partnership
• Have a dissolved civil partnership
• Are separated from your partner and wish to discuss issues relating to a child/children
• Have a business dispute

Their head office is at: 1 London Road, Sittingbourne, Kent. ME10 1NQ

Telephone: 01795 410457 or email: [email protected] to go to their website click here, or go to the following link: www.kentfms.co.uk

They run services all over Kent to find a local service click here.

Kent Young Carers supports all young carers aged 5-18 across Kent with information, advice, social activities and individual support. If you support someone who would otherwise struggle to look after themselves without your help - mum, dad, brother, sister… and you are aged 5 - 18 then you are a young carer.

Kent Young Carers Website gives information, events, referral forms, links and more to support young carers in Kent.

• Are you at Primary or Secondary School?
• Aged 5 - 18?
• Do you help look after someone at home because they cannot look after themselves?

Kent Young carers gives young carers the opportunity to socialise with other young carers because it is important to know they are not alone in this situation.

To find out more go to the Kent Young Carers website by clicking here, or you can call them on 0300 111 111 0 or email: [email protected]

www.kentyoungcarers.org.uk

The Landmark centre provides a variety of support for people with disabilities and young families.

They provide help to:

• Supports everyone within the local area, particularly those with disabilities and those with young families.
• Offer art, music, drama, IT, English and maths
• Provide work placement for volunteers

The Landmark centre, Deal and Walmer Community Association,Landmark Centre,129 High St, Deal.CT14 6BB, click here to see the location of this service on a google map.

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.

Look Ahead provides specialist support and care services to people with a variety of needs. Look Ahead work with people whose lives can be challenging and at times chaotic. They support each customer as an individual, to take control of their support, achieve their goals and aspirations, and move towards a positive, independent future.

They work in partnership with local authorities and health trusts to provide specialist support and care services to:

• People with mental health needs
• People with learning disabilities
• Young people, care leavers and teenage parents
• Homeless individuals and families
• People with offending and sex work histories
• People with substance misuse needs
• People experiencing/fleeing domestic abuse
• People with physical disabilities

Telephone: Tel: 0207 937 1166 or email: [email protected] or go to their website: www.lookahead.org.uk

mcch offer an eight-week programme of two hours per week that aims to inform and motivate people with regards to the evidenced-based, recovery-focused aspects of wellbeing that promote resilience. The service runs in Ashford and Dover and Deal.

The eight sessions centre around:

• Where to get help
• Reducing anxiety
• Give
• Connect
• Healthy body, healthy mind
• Take notice
• Keep learning
• Managing stress and developing resilience

mcch use some aspects of Motivational Interviewing and each session includes an opportunity for individuals to set their own goals. In addition to these sessions, there are opportunities to research and take practical steps to meeting their personal goals with support from staff, either in small groups, or on a one-to-one basis. mcch will continue to work with people for a further four weeks after completing the eight sessions, ensuring that people are appropriately signposted to other services and that they know where they can get help and support in the future.

To contact the Ashford service call: 0800 567 7699 or email [email protected]

For the Dover and Deal service: call (and leave a message) on 01304 242558 or email [email protected] or call the Live Well Kent line on 0800 567 7699 or email [email protected]

Missing People is a charity that helps you look for missing people on behalf of the friends and family left behind and they are there is you are thinking of running away or going missing.

If you have gone missing, run away or been forced to leave home, or you know someone who has, the charity Missing People is here around the clock to offer support.

If someone you care for has gone missing they listen in confidence, and support missing people and their families to explore their options and, where possible, to reconnect. For those left behind we provide specialised support to ease the heartache and confusion, and help search for their missing loved ones.

116 000 is the number to call, text for advice, support and options if you or someone you care for it’s free, 24 hour and confidential.

To find out more about their services go to their website: www.missingpeople.org.uk

The Money Advice Service (MARS) are an independent service, set up by government to help people make the most of their money, we give free, unbiased money advice to everyone across the UK – online, over the phone and face to face.

Find free advice, online or on the phone on a wide variety of money matters.

Click here to go to the website, or call 0300 500 5000 they are open 8am - 8pm Monday - Friday and 9 - 1 on Saturday or follow the link: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk

Find information, advice, online tools and templates on a variety of subjects including:

• Life Stages: Setting up home, having a baby, losing your job, divorce and separation
• Retirement
• Long-term care
• Managing your money better, including: How to review or reduce borrowing & Money saving tips
• Universal Credit and other benefits
• Bank accounts and credit or debit cards
• Scams and identity theft
• Wills and estate planning
• Saving and investing
• Borrowing money
• Debt management
• Homes and mortgages
• Insurance

MoneyForce is the home of money guidance, information and advice for UK Service personnel and their families.

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

The Prisoners’ Families and Friends Service can provide telephone and email advice and information for prisoners’ friends and relatives.

The Prisoners’ Families and Friends Service can send you a pack of useful information about:

• prison visits
• prison transfers
• home detention curfew (tagging)
• preparing for release,
• where else to get help and more

Their Freephone helpline: 0808 808 3444 the helpline is open Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm or you can email them on: [email protected].

They also have a wide range of factsheets online that you can access here: www.pffs.org.uk/faqs

To find out more about the work that they do and how to access help go to their website here: www.pffs.org.uk

The Rainbow Centre Folkestone provide a range of help and support to people in crisis or needing extra help as well as investing in children’s early years’ development.

• Crisis drop in Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm – providing support to those who are homeless, vulnerably housed and individuals who have had benefits sanctioned
• Washing facilities at the Centre, i.e. Shower, spin dryer and washing machine for homeless to use
• Working in collaboration with other local agencies at the Rainbow Centre to offer support and help with accommodation, floating support referrals
• Foodstop service - Mobile soup kitchen 3 times a week for the homeless
• Winter shelter provides beds for homeless in local churches from December through to February
• Support for parents including two Pre-schools for 2 – 5 year olds in Folkestone
• Contact centre – supported contact for parents fortnightly

Contact: Richard Bellamy (manager), address: Cornerstone, 69 Sandgate Road, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2AF. To see the location of this service on a map click here.

Telephone: 01303 850733 or email: [email protected]

For their website follow the link: www.folkestonerainbowcentre.org.uk

Sanctuary Supported Living offer housing related floating support, which is a free service, funded by Commissioned Services at Kent County Council and the support can last up to 1 year. The service is available to anyone aged 16 and over in Kent who has a housing related issue and is: Homeless, a council or private tenant, staying with friends or family or a homeowner.

They can help clients to:

• find somewhere to live
• sustain tenancies
• maximise income
• manage bills and debts
• find education/employment/training
• develop independent living skills

For more information click on the relevant link below:

• Floating Support
• Floating Support - East Kent
• Floating Support - West Kent
• Young People - East Kent
• Young People - West Kent

• Dolphin Lodge Hythe
• Nelson House
• St Johns Church Road Folkestone

For more information call: 01905 335730 or email: [email protected] or you can go to their website by following the link: www.sanctuary-supported-living.co.uk

The Shaw Trust Dover & Deal Employment service deliver services support adults experiencing mental health to progress into paid employment.

Address: Shaw Trust, Coleman House, Room 40, Brookfield Avenue, Dover,
CT16 2AH. To see the location of the Shaw Trust Dover on a map click here.

Tel: 01304 226998. For the Shaw Trust website follow go to:

www.shaw-trust.org.uk.

The Shaw Trust can help with:

• Information Advice and Guidance which is individually tailored with a person centred approach
• Personal Employment Adviser assigned to all
• 1-1 sessions, action planning and goal setting and 12 weekly reviews
• Personal Development Courses / Employability skills Course supporting to overcome any barriers to work, build your confidence, self –esteem and motivation
• Develop skills in job searching, CV writing and application form filling and interview techniques
• Job Hub Group job searching, support people to finding voluntary, work placements and paid employment
• Work Experience available in our reception area
• In-Work support for 14 weeks with the view to sustaining employment
• Sign posting to other organisations for individual support needs

Job Retention

• Our employment advisors provide support to both employees and employers to enable a smooth return back to work. Making it a successful and sustainable return to work
• Arranging phased returns to work
• Support to negotiate with employers
• Solution focused in resolving issues within the workplace
• Understanding the needs of early intervention in solving complex issues
• Knowledge of the full range of potential adjustments in the work place
• Understanding of the roles of Occupational Health, Human Resources

Shepway Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) provide services to adults people living in the community who are experiencing mental health problems.

Address: Royal Ash Eaton, Radnor Park Avenue, Folkestone, Kent CT19 5HL. To see the location of this service on a map click here.

Telephone: 01303 227510 Fax: 01303 225712

For their website click here, to find out more about Community Mental Health Teams click here.

• Referrals to the CMHTs are usually made directly through a GP
• The intake element of a CMHT acts as a single point of access for all referrals to mental health services that we provide.
• If you are referred to a team they will assess you, signpost and offer short-term treatment as close as possible to your home.

www.kmpt.nhs.uk

Shepway District Council provides a range of services for their residents and businesses. Find out about local activities, leisure centres, groups, housing advice and more.

• Local Authority
• Information on housing, benefits
• One Stop Services : The Civic Centre
  Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 08.30-17.00, Wed: 09.30-17.00
  Magpies, Church Approach , New Romney: Tues, Fri: 09.00-12.30

1. The Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, Kent CT20 2QY. To see the location of this service on a map click here.
2. Shepway District Council Homeless Persons Unit (HPU) Coast and Countryside housing Services, Shepway Housing Centre, 3-5 Shorncliffe Rd, Folkestone, CT20 2SQ. To see the location of this service on a map click here.
3. Shepway Independent Mediation Service (neighbour disputes) 01303 227296

Telephone No’s: Main: 01303 853000 Housing: 01303 853700 Revenues and benefits: 01303 853555

Out of Hours Emergencies: 01303 221888

For their website follow the link: www.shepway.gov.uk

Shepway Volunteer Centre helps people find a volunteering role which matches their skills, experience and circumstances.

United Reformed Church, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, CT20 2QL. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01303 259007 or email: [email protected]. To go to their web page follow the link: www.volunteershepway.co.uk

Social care services help people who are in need of support due to illness, disability, old age or poverty. Social care services are available to everyone, regardless of background. However, social care is subject to rules about your needs and ability. Services can also support the families or carers of people who receive social care.

Services include:

• Support in your own home - helping you live independently in your own home.
• Your options if living in your own home is no longer possible.
• Paying for care & how much your care costs and how to pay for it.
• Caring for other people - help and support for those who regularly care for another person in Kent.
• Disability - services for people in Kent with a disability.
• How to get social care help
• Children in care and looked after children in Kent.
• Adoption and fostering

To find out more or follow the link: www.kent.gov.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

Step Change - The Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) have been providing free debt help and advice for 18 years. Step Change can give you an instant, no obligation assessment of your debt problem and tailored advice based on your situation to help you get debt free.

You can access their free debt help through their web page by clicking here.

Telephone: 0800 138 1111

www.stepchange.org

Take off aims to give a voice to users of mental health services; to make community care work; helping to shape mental health services into as comprehensive and socially useful a service as possible; and to educate the public in, and promote awareness of mental health problems.

Services they provide include:

• Crisis Cafe
• Council of East Kent Service User Forums (CEKSUF)
• Patients Council
• Peer Support Groups
• Peer Support Brokerage
• Mental Health User Forum

34 Military Road, Canterbury CT1 1LT, To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01227 788211, email: [email protected]
To go to their website click here or follow the link to: https://takeoff.works/

Gateway is the new way to find public and voluntary services from a comfortable, modern town centre or high street location.

2 Manor Row, High Street, Tenterten, TN30 6HP. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Telephone: 08458 247202 or email: [email protected] To go to their web page click here or follow the link www.tenterdentown.co.uk/community-and-living/local-groups/tenterden-gateway

The National Autistic Society provide a wide range of services for those affected by autism and their families. Click here to go to their website, and look for your local branch.

Their services include:

• Advice and Information
• Education and schools
• Residential Help
• Support for Carers
• Employment and Support

www.autism.org.uk

The Shaw Trust deliver services for people at disadvantage so they may gain life and employability skills in order to live more independently, secure sustainable employment and actively contribute to family and community life.

• Employment services for disabled and disadvantaged people
• Social care in partnership with public sector organisations

Address: 7 The Old High Street, Folkestone, Kent CT20 1RJ. To see the location of this service on a map click here.

Telephone: 01303 211394. For their website follow the link: www.shaw-trust.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

Unlock is a charity that provides information, advice, training and advocacy, dealing with the ongoing effects of criminal convictions.

Unlock provides:

• Information advice and support through their Information Hub, Disclosure Calculator, Online Forum and Online Magazine
• Provide help and support for people with convictions through their Helpline
• They recruit and train people with convictions as volunteers to help support the information and advice we provide
• They run training courses on criminal record disclosure for those that help people with convictions
• They support employers who are handling criminal record information

So if you need help and support following a spell in prison Unlock could help you.

For more information and advice go to: www.unlock.org.uk

The YMCA Charity Shop provides workplace volunteering opportunities. If you want to get back into work and need to brush up your CV volunteering is a great way to get started and meet new people.

• Volunteer work placements
• Flexible hours – could be 7 days a week or less than one day
• Supervision 1:1 and support is always available
• Range of tasks, from shop display and retail to lifting boxes, cleaning items, ironing or steaming
• Solitary (backroom) or social (retail) available

Contact: Annmarie (manager) or Nick (assistant manager), address 1-3, Sandgate Road, Folkestone. To see the location of this service on a map click here. Telephone: 01303-249755