Age Concern Dementia Outreach covers the Deal and Sandwich area. Age Concern Dementia Outreach provide free one to one ongoing support, advice and information to those who care for an older person suffering with Dementia. The type of support given will be agreed with the persons main care giver in order that the everyday stresses and strains associated with that role may be alleviated .

Advice give can include;

• Benefits advice
• Information about other services available
• Befriending or just a friendly face to visit you and the person you care for .
• Social lunches and information days are also organized to provide carers with the opportunity to meet others in similar circumstances

For more information contact Gemma Cranthorne on 01304 372608 or 0751 9836729 or email her at: [email protected].

Age UK aims to improve later life for everyone with information and advice, services, campaigns, products, training and research. They also provide information and advice for the elderly about benefits, care, age discrimination and computer courses.

Hythe & Lyminge Jubilee Day Centre: 63 Station Road, Lyminge, CT18 8HQ. To see this AGE UK location on a google map click here. Telephone: 01303 269602.

Dover Town & Rural: Riverside Centre, Maison Dieu Road, Dover, CT16 1RL. To see this AGE UK location on a google map click here. Telephone: 01304 207268.

For the national Age UK website click here.

• Comprehensive care for the elderly
• Finance, health, housing, community access, isolation etc.
• Social activities
• IT classes
• Benefits, money

http://www.ageuk.org.uk

Age UK aims to improve later life for everyone with information and advice, services, campaigns, products, training and research. They also provide information and advice for the elderly about benefits, care, age discrimination and computer courses.

Age UK aims to improve later life for everyone through our information and advice, services, campaigns, products, training and research

• Comprehensive care for the elderly
• Finance, health, housing, community access, isolation etc.
• Social activities

Address: 65 Shaftesbury Avenue Cheriton Folkestone Kent CT16 4NS. To see the location of this service on a map click here.

Telephone Nos: 01303 279621/279031

For their websites follow the links below:

www.ageconcernfolkestone.co.uk

www.ageuk.org.uk

The Alzheimer’s Society – Kent and Medway, provide help, support and information to people with dementia, their carers and families.

The Alzheimer’s Society – Kent and Medway services include:

• Dementia Cafés: Dementia Cafés provide an opportunity to meet regularly and talk about living with dementia in an informal social environment. They provide opportunities for people with dementia, family members and carers to ask questions of professionals and learn from the experiences of others.
• Peer Support Groups: Peer Support groups are facilitated sessions and provide the opportunity for sharing experiences and learning from peers, in a safe, non-clinical environment. People with dementia can ask questions, receive information, express themselves and share their perceptions of living with dementia. Peer support groups are not intended for people with dementia and carers to attend together. A short assessment will take place before joining the group.
• Dementia Support Workers: Dementia Support Workers provide information, guidance and practical support to help people understand dementia, cope with day to day living with dementia and prepare for the future. The service also supports people to access other services. A Dementia Support Service is specific to each person’s needs and is decided in agreement with them. The service provides one to one support to people with dementia and carers and can be provided face to face, over the telephone or via written communication. We have two Dementia Support Workers in East Kent.
• Service User Review Panels: Service User Review Panels (SURPs) are small groups of up to 8 people with dementia who are involved in influencing issues beyond their own care. SURP members meet regularly for a limited period.

Address: Alzheimer’s Society, 3+4 Lemanis House, Stone Street, Lympne, Kent, CT21 4JN.

Telephone No’s: Local office: 01303 260674 or National Helpline: 0300 222 11 22

Email: [email protected]

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

Getting stressed by work, family or friends? Dealing with big issues? Share what’s troubling you anonymously on the Big White Wall.

The Big White Wall is a web based Support Network which is moderated and enables safe anonymous support through talking therapies and creative self-expression.

Guided Support: A range of self-managed and facilitated programmes for individuals and groups. Programmes include anxiety, depression, sleep, smoking and alcohol use.

Free for armed and ex armed services and their families.

Click here to go to their website go to: www.bigwhitewall.com or email : [email protected]

Bipolar UK is a national charity dedicated to supporting individuals with bipolar, their families and carers. Bipolar UK offer practical information, advice and support by phone and email, as well as through information on their website.

Services include:

• Telephone & email support and information
• Factsheets
• Online e Community
• National network of peer support groups
• Telephone mentoring
• Youth service for people under 26
• Employment support

You can find out more at their website www.bipolaruk.org or call them on 0333 323 3880.

You can find your nearest support group through this link: www.bipolaruk.org/find-a-support-group.

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

CARM (Caring Altogether on Romney Marsh) provide a range of caring and support services for those living in Romney Marsh and other isolated areas. They provide local help and support for people caring as well as providing a social support network.

They run services in the following areas:

Appledore, Brookland, Greatstone, Dymchurch, Lydd, Rolvenden, Tenterden & St. Michaels & Woodchurch

Appledore Christian Centre , The Street, Appledore, Kent TN26 2AE. To see the location of this service on a map click here. Telephone: 01233 758122.

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

Childline offers a free confidential helpline and website for young people.

If you are worried about anything, it could be something big or something small - don’t bottle it up. It can really help if you talk to someone. If there is something on your mind, ChildLine is here for you.

Contact ChildLine anytime - calls are free and confidential 0800 1111

A ChildLine Counsellor is someone who:

• who you can trust
• who is genuine, open and friendly
• who won’t judge you or put you down
• who is not easily shocked
• who will listen to you and knows it takes courage to contact us
• who is aware of the sorts of problems you might be worried about
• who will let you take your time
• who wants you to get in touch

To find out more go to their website: www.childline.org.uk

Community Learning Disability Teams work with adults who have a learning disabilities. They provide specialist health advice and support to people with learning disabilities, their carers, families and the wider healthcare community. As well as help with health appointments, day activities and respite care. They can help adults with a learning disability to understand more language and help speech by using symbols, photos and signs to teaching people to cook.

For their website follow the link: http://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/home/our-services/community-learning-disability-team-kent/

Cruse provide bereavement counselling for all. Cruse provides support, counselling and advice and gives you someone to turn to when someone dies.

Cruse provides advice, information and support to anyone who has been bereaved (children, young people and adults), whenever or however the death occurred. The service is provided by trained, experienced volunteers, and is confidential and free. Cruse provides Can offer:

• someone to talk to face-to-face, or
• on the telephone
• online support
• groups – some bereaved people find it helpful to talk to others in similar circumstances
• information – about many aspects of bereavement and other sources of help and support
• face-to-face, telephone helpline and online support for children and young people.
• Support for those bereaved by death
• Supports military families
• Provides training in bereavement support

Swale Helpline: 01795 844069
East Kent Helpline: 0845 603 0024

These help lines have a 24-hour answerphone facility. Please leave a message including your name and telephone number and one of our Bereavement support volunteers will get back to you as soon as possible.

National helpline: 0844 477 9400 or Email: [email protected]. To go to the national Cruse website click here or follow the link: www.cruse.org.uk.

Cruse provide bereavement counselling for all. Cruse provides support, counselling and advice and gives you someone to turn to when someone dies.

Cruse provides advice, information and support to anyone who has been bereaved (children, young people and adults), whenever or however the death occurred. The service is provided by trained, experienced volunteers, and is confidential and free. Cruse provides Can offer:

• someone to talk to face-to-face, or
• on the telephone
• online support
• groups – some bereaved people find it helpful to talk to others in similar circumstances
• information – about many aspects of bereavement and other sources of help and support
• face-to-face, telephone helpline and online support for children and young people.
• Support for those bereaved by death
• Supports military families
• Provides training in bereavement support

Cruse Bereavement Care, South Kent Area: Telephone 0844 800 9104 or email: [email protected].

To go to the national Cruse website follow the link: www.cruse.org.uk

Deal Pathfinders is a club for people with mental health and learning disabilities. Social and recreational facility for people with mental health and learning disabilities (age 18+). Activities include table tennis, snooker, cards, board games - plus an opportunity to chat and make friends.

They meet on Tuesdays 6pm-8pm

Contact: Pat Winder. Address: The Godric Centre, St Richards Road, Deal, CT14 9LD, to see the location on a google map click here. Telephone: 07779945830

Take Off is running a Deal Wellbeing Group to support positive mental wellbeing. Members shape the group and can take part in peer support, activities and meet guest speakers.

For more information on the group see the poster here.

The group runs every Wednesday from 1pm-3pm at the Royal Marines Association Club, Deal, CT14 7DX.

For any further information, please feel free to get in contact using the details here or use the contact form the Take Off website: www.takeoff.works

Take Off: 34 Military Road, Canterbury CT1 1LT
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01227 788 211
Website: www.takeoff.works

The Depression Alliance provides help, information and support for those suffering from depression and their families and carers.

The Depression Alliance can help with:

• What is depression - Understand what it can feel like and how to spot the symptoms
• Living with depression - Discover how depression can affect our day-to-day lives
• Recovery and wellbeing - Learn the activities, techniques and resources for getting better and staying well
• Treatment - Explore and choose a treatment that’s right for you
• Useful contacts - Search other organisations and helplines for mental health support
• Family and friends - Find tips on supporting a friend or family member living with depression
• Self help groups - Find a friendly and supportive group in your local area
• Resources - Watch videos and download our Single Step magazine
• Wellbeing Networks - A supportive community of friends who understand depression can be life-saving

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

Call 0845 123 23 20 for an information pack or email: [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.

Elefriends is a supportive online community where you can be yourself. We all know what it’s like to struggle sometimes, and this is a safe place to listen, share and be heard. Whether you’re feeling good right now, or really low, it’s a safe place to share experiences and listen to others.

Shared experiences and perspectives are valuable and powerful. In this way Elefriends don’t just get help, they give help too. In the good times and the bad.

• Post on the wall to say hello. New friends are always welcomed into the herd

• If you don’t feel up to writing something just now then that’s ok too – just take a look at what other people are saying and show your support by clicking one of the buttons to say, ‘I like this’, ‘I’m thinking of you’ or ‘I hear you’

• Perhaps there’s something you’re struggling with at the moment? With lots of supportive ele friends, you’re likely to get a fresh perspective on your situation

• Don’t forget to share good news – the Elephant wants to hear what you’re proud of too, even if it feels like a small thing. And pictures and videos always brighten up his day too

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

Folkestone & District Mind provides support, information and advice to anyone resident in Shepway area, who has experienced or is experiencing mental distress. Mind in Folkestone run a range of activities to support people who have mental health needs and their families and carers.

Activities include:

• Peer support sessions and therapeutic groups - 10am - 1.30pm
• Person centred planning and counselling
• Relaxation, music jamming and individual lessons - 1.30pm -3pm
• Opportunities to enjoy horse-riding, walks, outings, gym etc.
• Social activities with peer support group, visiting places of interest
• Wednesday Evening ‘drop-in’ sessions - 7pm -9pm
• Community Support Group in Hythe on Monday afternoons
• Mental health resource library

Folkestone & District Mind also have a Wellbeing Programme which includes therapeutic groups i.e. arts/crafts and music in addition to person centred planning, photography, gardening, clay workshops and yoga.

Telephone: 01303 250090 or email [email protected] or visit www.folkestonemind.org.uk

Postal address: 3 Mill Bay/24-26 Dover Rd, Folkestone, CT20 1JQ

Folkestone & District Mind is funded by Porchlight and Big Lottery Fund.

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

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

The Hythe Umbrella Club is open to anyone in the Hythe area. If you’re feeling lonely or isolated or just need to talk why not drop in for free at the Hythe Umbrella Club.

Where: The Methodist Church Hall, 114 Sir John Moore Avenue, Hythe, CT21 5DG. To see this location on a google map click here.

Opening Times: Monday 2pm - 4pm and Thursdays 12.30pm - 4pm (lunch available on Thursdays at nominal price)

Social activities and outings for people in the Hythe area.

Worried about making your internet safe for your family? There are a range of guides and help available to make your surfing safer!

CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) www.ceop.police.uk) run the Think U Know website which has hints and tips for safe surfing for people of all ages as well as providing information for concerned parents. To go to the Think U Know website link here www.thinkuknow.co.uk.

The BBC have also produced some great online guides and information which you can access at the BBC website by following this link: Share Take Care pages.

Cyberstreetwise is a UK Government run website that is full of hints and tips to help you take control of your own cyber security. Advice includes using strong, memorable passwords, installing anti-virus software on new devices, checking privacy settings on social media, checking online retail sites are secure, and downloading software and application patches when prompted.

Follow the link: www.cyberstreetwise.com

The Cybersmile Foundation is an anti cyberbullying non-profit organization. Committed to tackling all forms of digital abuse and bullying online and promoting a safer, more positive digital community. Cybersmile can help with bullying, sexting and other onine issues: www.liveitwell.org.uk/recovery-resource/cybersmile/

Share Aware - NSPCC

The NSPCC have launched their Share Aware campaign to help parents talk to their children about how to stay safe on social networks. Keeping Children safe online can be a big concern for parents but the Share Aware guide provides straightforward no nonsense advice for parents of 8 – 12 year old children.

The Share Aware website has information on Online Safety as well as a guide of what to do if a child is being abused online which is often called cyberbullying and other forms of abuse.

To go to Share Aware follow the link: www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/share-aware/

Safer Internet Centre

The UK Safer Internet Centre, where you can find e-safety tips, advice and resources to help children and young people stay safe on the internet.

Find out more and to see their resources follow the link: www.saferinternet.org.uk

Cybersmart have created a guide called So You Got Naked Online which can give you some advice if you have been involved in sexting.

Internet Fraud

If you are concerned about Internet Fraud and want to learn how to avoid i tor think you might have been a victim of internet fraud The Action Fraud cyber crime reporting centre should be able to help you. It has advice about cybercrime and fraud and how to avoid it. Find out more here: www.actionfraud.police.uk

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 and Medway Armed Forces Network (KMAFN) is a multi-organisational group which includes members from the NHS, MoD, Armed Forces Reservists, Mental and Physical Health Clinicians, the Royal British Legion, SSAFA and other interested charities and organisations from across Kent and Medway

The members of the Kent and Medway Armed Forces Network work together to improve the lives of the armed forces community. The network will also include champions from a wide range of the organisations across Kent and Medway who are advocates for the armed forces community and have the skills and knowledge to support through direct service provision, linking with other organisations or signposting to where additional support could be received.

The Kent and Medway Armed Forces Network is managed by the Armed Forces Director on behalf of both Sussex and Kent and Medway CCGs. Its aim is to facilitate the CCGs and community in the delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant Commitment.

To find out more go to their website: www.kentandmedwayarmedforcesnetwork.nhs.uk

Or contact them by filling in their online form here: www.kentandmedwayarmedforcesnetwork.nhs.uk/about/contact-us

Kent Autistic Trust ensure that everyone with autism gets the right balance of support that they need to be as successful as possible in all areas of their life. Kent Autistic Trust provide opportunities that encourage people to grow, take risks and learn the skills they need. Kent Autistic Trust provide services for adults and young people:

• Adult: information, support and advice, support groups, multi-agency support, financial benefits, grants, entitlements applications
• Younger People: Carers support, multi-agency support for health, education etc. benefits, grants, entitlements applications

Head Office: 14 High Street Brompton, Gillingham, Kent ME7 5AE Telephone: 01634 405168 or email at: [email protected].

To their website by follow the link: www.kentautistic.com

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

Kent Libraries provide a wide range of services for all including

• Computer access
• Local information and resources
• Staff support
• local groups and societies
• activities for families

Kent libraries offer a wide range of services - from free access to books, computers, internet and information to the hire of music, audio books and films.

To go to the website follow the link: www.kent.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/libraries.aspx

Kent Sheds support groups and organisations across Kent to establish a network of Kent Sheds projects. Kent Sheds will provide a place for people to come together to pursue hobbies and interests, share their knowledge and skills and develop new friendships.

Kent Sheds is there to support community groups to develop their own and can offer support, including:

• one to one mentoring and support
• advise and guidance
• development grants and financial assistance

To find out more download the Kent Sheds leaflet by following the link.

To find out more about Kent Sheds and how you can get involved follow the link: www.kentsheds.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 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.

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]

The Mental Health Forum website offers a friendly open place for discussion, help and support with mental health issues. They have service user forums which provide the opportunity to meet and socialise with people who have experienced mental health issues as well as a way of getting involved in what is happening in Mental Health Services.

To find out more click here or go to the website here: www.mentalhealthforum.net

Take Off are offering one to one peer support. These conversations focus on supporting you to engage more in your community, learn new skills, build capacity and increase independence.

If you need help with starting or maintaining your recovery journey, or want to know what could
genuinely help your wellbeing, talking to a peer could help.

All Take Off peer workers have lived experience of a wide variety of illnesses and have fought to
live meaningful lives, so can offer guidance to suit you.

Please see the poster for more information.

Or contact Take Off via email: [email protected] or the contact form on their website: www.takeoff.works

Porchlight support vulnerable and homeless people in Kent. They have supported accommodation services in Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Ramsgate, Sittingbourne and Tonbridge, a homelessness prevention service and a dedicated rough sleeper team. They provide a range of services supporting people with complex needs, with specialist services for young people, ex-offenders and people with enduring mental health issues. Our focus is on long-term solutions, breaking the cycle of homelessness and ensuring that people can live independently in the future.

The services Porchlight offer include:

• 24-hour helpline - If you are homeless, in housing difficulty or know someone who is, call their 24-hour helpline 0800 567 76 99
• Landlords - Are you looking for a tenant? Porchlight can help take the risk out of letting, making your job easier.
• Porchlight Adolescent Support Service (PASS) - Intensive support to young people aged 10-18.
• Supported Accommodation - Find out abou Porchlights’ adult supported accommodation projects in Kent.
• Rough Sleeper Service - This service works across Kent helping people sleeping on the streets to access emergency accommodation and incorporates Porchlights’ Private Landlord Liaison Service.
• Homelessness Prevention - Porchlight work to prevent homelessness through their floating support service. This service works with people in their own homes who are vulnerable to homelessness. Porchlight also have a Youth Homelessness Education Programme which works to prevent the next generation from becoming homeless or in housing need.
• Young Person’s Services - Porchlight have supported accommodation for 16-24 yr olds who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• Community Support - Porchlight offer practical and accessible support to people in their own communities. Porchlight have specialist services supporting individuals with mental health issues as well as those who have become isolated, overwhelmed or unable to cope with day-to-day living.

Head Office, 2nd Floor Watling Chambers, 18-19 Watling Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2AU Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01227 760078.

Free Helpline: 0800 5677699 or follow the link to go to their website: www.porchlight.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

Ross Care Ltd operate in the Shepway, Dover/Deal, Canterbury and Ashford areas. Support can be a one-off, as needed or on a regular basis.

• Assistance with day to day living.
• Provide companionship and support for new situations
• Offer breaks for carers
• Emotional support
• Use of wheelchair accessible vehicle for trips out.

Contact Ross Butcher: Ross Care Ltd, 28 Greenbanks, Lyminge, Folkestone. Kent. CT18 8HG. to see this location on a google map click here.

07967342226/07725112731 or email [email protected]

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 Salvation Army work with people who are vulnerable and marginalised they offer practical help, unconditional assistance and support.

Deal: Contacts: Kook Hwan Rho and Hean Suk Choi, The Salvation Army Deal Corps, West Street, Deal, Kent CT14 6AZ
Tel: 01304 375 398 or to go to their website http://www.dealsalvationarmy.org

Dover: The Salvation Army, Dover Outreach Centre, 30 Harbour View Road
Dover, CT17 0NZ. To see the location of this service on a map click here.
Telephone: 01304 240343 or email: [email protected]

Folkestone: Contacts: Linda Richards (Community Care Manager), Captains Matthew and Lynne Clifton address: 75-77, Canterbury Road, Folkestone. To see the location of this service on a map click here.

Telephone: 01303 250090 or email: [email protected]

• Breakfast club
• Winter night shelter, Dec-Feb
• Support with rehousing
• A shop selling donated furniture
• Work with prisoners and their families
• Mother and toddler playgroups, Mon-Fri
• Health groups – men’s health, blood pressure, healthy eating, money management
• Food parcels, blankets, sleeping bags to those in need
• Lunch club on Thursdays
• Women’s groups for the over-60s

housing, homeless, breakfast club, winter shelter, prisoners, food, women’s group, mens health, family, pre school, debt help, prisoners, carers,

SANE provides emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including families, friends and carers. Their mental health support services are completely confidential. Whatever your problems or concerns, you will receive non-judgemental emotional support. Their professional staff and trained volunteers have specialist mental health knowledge; they can help you consider options for support that address your individual circumstances.

Telephone on 0845 7678000

• Helpline offers emotional support and information for individuals affected by mental health problems
• Helpline open daily 18.00-23.00

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

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 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

The South Kent Community Church provide services to support the homeless and those who have mental ill health. They also run free debt management help.

• Various bases in the area
• Drop in for homelessness/poor housing, mental health and addiction problems (mostly male)
• Bereavement Group
• Debt management through Christians Against Poverty (CAP) group

Contact: Angela Burnett, address: SKCC Office 1-3 Bouverie Rd West, Folkestone Kent CT20 2RX. To see the location of this service on a map click here.

Telephone: 01303 251155 or email at: [email protected]

For the website follow the link: www.skcc.info

Speakup CIC gives a voice to Mental Health Service Users, they help them become involved in shaping services offered and aid their recovery. Forums providing people with mental health needs support, information and a means to have a say in the shaping and running of local mental health services. They also run lots of local support groups.

Covering Ashford, Deal, Dover, and Thanet.

The Media Centre, 11-13 Kings Street, Margate, CT9 1DD. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01843 448384 or email: [email protected] To go to their website follow the link: www.speakupcic.co.uk.

Support Line is a preventative service and aims to support people before they reach the point of crisis. Support Line is aimed at those who are socially isolated, vulnerable, at risk groups and victims of any form of abuse. Support Line will enable the caller to talk over their feelings with a helpline worker who offers non-judgmental, caring, empathic support. The helpline worker will encourage greater understanding and awareness of the caller’s issues and help the caller develop more positive coping strategies.

Telephone: 01708 765 200 (hours vary so ring for details)

www.supportline.org.uk

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/

Take Off Folkestone runs across the Shepway area to support people who have mental health issues meet others and have a voice in mental health services. Take Off Folkestone meets once weekly in different venues in the town for a coffee and a chat. Take Off Folkestone’s main purpose is to offer a ready-made social network with no-pressure peer support thrown in.

For those who cannot attend the group they offer phone and email contact and support and will visit people on a one-to-one basis if required.
The meetings take place either in local cafes or coffee shops; two meetings monthly take place in the local mental health services and Mind Centre; at the latter we have a board games afternoon. Take Off Folkestone also attend other meetings, both mental health related and in the community and can offer some support for others to attend too.

Take Off Folkestone aim to give service users a voice in shaping future services and giving people the information they need to advocate for themselves.

Take Off Folkestone do not have a fixed monthly pattern, they don’t generally publicise our meeting dates and times, but all are available from Madlin Brinton, co-ordinator at Folkestone on 01303 245840 or by using the contact form at the web page here: takeoff.works/us/take-off-folkestone.

Address of the main office: Take Off, 34 Military Road, Canterbury, CT1 1LTl Tel: 01227 788211

Tenterden Counselling Service can help if you are suffering from depression or low moods, from stress, from anxiety or are finding life hard to cope with

• Experiencing bereavement of any kind, maybe through death, or redundancy, or divorce or retirement
• Lacking confidence or suffering from low self-esteem or loneliness
• Experiencing difficult relationship problems, maybe with issues around divorce, adoption, family members or the workplace
• Troubled by events or memories from the past, maybe having suffered abuse or other trauma which you are finding it difficult to talk about

Milroy House, Sayers Lane, High Street, Tenterden TN30 6BW. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Telephone: 0776 968 3347 or to go to their web page click here, or go to the following link: www.tenterdencounselling.org.uk/

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

The Silver Line is the only free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

The Silver Line staff can help with:

• Offer information, friendship and advice
• Link callers to local groups and services
• Offer regular befriending calls
• Protect and support those who are suffering abuse and neglect

Who is it for?
The Silver Line is a helpline for older people – the Silver Generation. We have no strict age limits but most people we speak to are over 65. So, if you think it’s for you, it’s for you.

Telephone: 0800 4 70 80 90

To go to their website to find out more click here or follow the link below

www.thesilverline.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

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