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.

Maidstone: 7 Mill Street, Maidstone, ME15 6XW. To see this AGE UK location on a google map click here. Telephone: 01622 753618.

Sevenoaks Hollybush Day Centre: Hollybush Court, Hollybush Close, Sevenoaks, TN13 3UX. To see this AGE UK location on a google map click here. Telephone: 01732 454108.

Sevenoaks: The Old Meeting House, St Johns Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 3LR. To see this AGE UK location on a google map click here. Telephone: 01732 454108.

Edenbridge: Edenbridge Leisure Centre, Station Road, Edenbridge, TN8 5LU. To see this AGE UK location on a google map click here. Telephone: 01732 454108.

Tonbridge Town Lock: Town Lock Day Centre, Lockside, Tonbridge, TN9 1EA. To see this AGE UK location on a google map click here. Telephone: 01732 454108.

Tonbridge: 5 Bradford Street, Tonbridge, TN9 1DU. To see this AGE UK location on a google map click here. Telephone: 01732 366100.

Tunbridge Wells: Wood Street, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2QS. To see this AGE UK location on a google map click here. Telephone: 01892 522591.

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

Alcoholics Anonymous is for people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

• Support for Alcohol addiction and misuse
• Group and peer support

Local groups meet all over the region:

You can find your local support group meeting by clicking here.

For more information about local services call: 0845 769 7555 or email [email protected]

www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

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

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.

Blackthorn Trust is a charity which offers medical care, specialist therapies and rehabilitation through work placements in the Blackthorn Garden. They offer help to people with mental or physical health difficulties or learning disabilities.

Blackthorn Trust provide a range of activities to help people gain confidence and self esteem and to develop life and work skills

Address: Blackthorn Trust, Blackthorn Medical Centre, St Andrew’s Road, Maidstone ME16 9AN. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Trust Office: 01622 722219 Garden/Cafe: 01622 722216 or email [email protected]. To go to their website follow the link www.blackthorn.org.uk

Bliss is a charity for the newborn. Bliss offers advice and support to families and friends of anyone with a baby who is in, or has been in, neonatal care. Bliss can also provide advice and information to professionals working with families. Advisers may also refer families to other services, many of them free of charge. The Helpline is free to call from landlines.

Bliss exists to ensure that all babies born too soon, too small or too sick in the UK have the best possible chance of survival and of reaching their full potential.

Bliss believes:

• All premature and sick babies and their families should have the best possible care and support.
• Babies should have the same rights as anyone else.
• The voices of babies and families must be heard.

Bliss run a helpline: 0500 618140 providing family support or you can email them at: [email protected]

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

BME Carers Service – Rethink Mental Illness: In Gravesend, Rethink Mental Illness provide a BME (Black and Ethnic Minority) specific carers service with information available in Punjabi, Urdu and Chinese.

• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 01474 364498
• http://www.rethink.org/services-groups/services/rethink-sahayak-carers-service

The Bridges Centre Edenbridge is a volunteer project for the community set up by local people. They offer:

• Café/snack bar and lounge
• Quiet room
• Children’s play area
• Toilets (with disabled access)
• Baby-changing facilities
• Disabled parking
• Patio area with seating

If you live in, work in, or are visiting Edenbridge, take a break from your job, your routine, or your shopping; and come in for a “cuppa” or light lunch. Relax in pleasant surroundings and meet people, or just to relax and be quiet. Child-friendly, disabled accessible,The Bridges Centre is for everyone in Edenbridge.

Address: High St, Edenbridge, TN8 5AJ. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01732 868186 or to go to their website follow the link: www.bridges.edenkent.org

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

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

Maidstone: 7 High Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1HJ to see the location on a google map click here. Telephone: 01622 761817

Sevenoaks: 121 High Street, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1UP to see the location on a google map click here. Telephone: 01732 741490

Tonbridge: 72 High Street, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1BD, to see the location on a google map click here. Telephone: 01732 367492

Tunbridge Wells: 18 Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1QU, to see the location on a google map click here. Telephone: 01892 518587

Carers FIRST in Kent & Medway offer advice information and guidance to Carers of adults and children who, through ill health, frailty, disability, mental health issues or substance misuse are unable to manage without support. Some carers will live with the person they care for, others may not.

In West Kent, they support Adult Carers of adults and additionally we have a Young Adult Carer worker who supports Young Carers through the transition to adulthood from the age of 16 to 24. We provide limited support to parents of children with disabilities.

In Medway we support Carers, both Young Carers and adult from the age of 5 to 105.

Carers FIRST supports carers living in Medway, Tonbridge & Malling, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Edenbridge Dartford Gravesham and Swanley and the surrounding rural areas. They support carers who have a family member or friend who need help. They provide emotional and practical support, advice, information, guidance and offer access to statutory carers assessments, training, events, social groups, short breaks, activities, trips and more.

For their website follow the link: www.carersfirst.org.uk
Email : [email protected]
Telephone: 0300 303 1555

Address: Carers FIRST in Kent & Medway, 3 Canterbury Street, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 5TP

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

Change Grow Live offer community-based alcohol services which offer flexible support ranging from advice and information to treatment programmes. They seek to help people recover from the damaging effects of alcohol misuse.

Change Grow Live provide treatment and help in West Kent have have the following offices:

• Maidstone: Mill House, Mill St, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6XH. Tel 01622 690 864
• Tonbridge: 1st Floor, 133 High Street, Tonbridge, TN9 1DH. Tel 01732 367 380
• Gravesend: 8-9 Berkley Crescent, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2AH. Tel: 01474 566659

To see their website go to: www.changegrowlive.org

• Alcohol services
• Provide support for addicts and their families
• peer suppor

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

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) have a range of services to help you get debt free. They have a range of branches all over the UK and can help with:

• Budgeting - work out a realistic budget that prioritises your essential bills. Your local Debt Coach will then visit you again to explain the budget, any options or choices you may have to work your way out of debt, and what payments you will need to make. CAP will then negotiate affordable payments with each creditor and stop unfair interest and charges where possible.
• Paying your debts - To help you stick to your budget and repay your debts CAP will set up a debt management plan for you.
• Severe Debt - If you are in severe debt, CAP can help you with your options, such as petitioning for bankruptcy. CAP can help you to fill out the forms and even attend court with you.

• National Christian Charity offering debt management and advice
• Workers support clients to manage and pay off debt

To find your local branch go to the website: www.capuk.org and enter your postcode.

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.

Maidstone - 2 Bower Terrace, Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, ME16 8RY, to see the location on a google map click here.
Telephone: 01622 752420 or 01622 757882, 01622 688133 - Welfare and benefits advice, 01622 751788 - Money advice or Email: [email protected]
To go to the website click here or follow the link: http://www.maidstonecab.org.uk

Sevenoaks - Buckhurst Lane, Sevenoaks, TN13 1HW, to see the location on a google map click here.
Telephone: 01732 440488 (initial advice) or Email: [email protected]
To go to the website click here or follow the link: http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/sevenoakscab

Tonbridge and Malling - 3/4 River Walk, Tonbridge, TN9 1DT, to see the location on a google map click here.

Telephone: Bureau Telephone Advice Line 01732 440488; Adviceline 08444 111 444, 01732 361709 (Admin only). PCCs to ask clients to contact local telephone advice service 01732 440488
To go to the website click here or follow the link: http://www.tonbridgecab.org.uk

Tunbridge Wells - 5th Floor, Vale House, Clarence Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1HE, to see the location on a google map click here.
Telephone: 01892 533 880 Advice or 01892 617256 Admin Answerphone service only
Email: [email protected]
To go to the website click here or follow the link: http://www.twcab.org.uk

• 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

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

Combat Stress is helping more than 5,400 UK Veterans get their lives back. If you are suffering mental ill-health caused by military service, combat stress may be able to help you too. It doesn’t matter how young or old you are, or where you Served - Combat Stress may be able to help. And although they are called Combat Stress, you don’t have to have been in combat to use our services. As long as you are an ex-Service man or women, they are here for you.
And if you are the loved one or carer of an ex-Service man or woman, you can get in touch too.

People react to traumatic experiences in different ways, go to the Live It Well Post Traumatic Stress Information Page for more information.

Telephone: 01372 587000. 24 Hour Helpline 0800 1381619 you can also text 07537 404 719 (standard charges apply for texts) or email them at: [email protected]

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

Commonwork offers a variety of hands-on education programmes and experiences around organic and sustainable food and farming, sustainable development, global citizenship, social enterprise and wellbeing. Commonwork also offers vocational and therapeutic programmes working with vulnerable young people and adults to help develop their talents and potential.

The Grow2Grow team includes two clinical psychologists, an occupational therapist and horticultural therapist (all part time) and a full time gardener and they provide supported supported vocational placements for vulnerable young people leaving care aged between 14 and 24 years.

Tel: 01732 463255 or email: [email protected]. Or to go to their website click here.

Address: Commonwork, Bore Place, Chiddingstone, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7AR, to see the location of this project on a google map click here.

www.commonwork.org

Kent Police have Community Liaison Officers working in Kent and Medway who are committed to tackling hate crime. The Community Liaison Officers can give you advice, discuss what has happened or put you in touch with other organisations that may be able to offer you support.

What is hate crime?

Hate incident - the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) defines a hate incident as:
‘any incident, which may or may not constitute a criminal offence, which is perceived by the victim or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hate.’
Hate crime - ACPO defines a hate crime as:
‘any hate incident, which constitutes a criminal offence, perceived by the victim or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hate.’ Prejudice or hate may be based on characteristics including:

• disability
• race
• religion
• sexual orientation
• transgender

Are you, or is someone you know, being bullied, harassed or verbally abused? Is this because of your race, religion, disability, sexuality or gender identity?
If so, this is a hate incident and should be reported.

How can I report it?

• Call 101 to report a crime. Call 999 if life is in immediate danger or the crime is in progress.
• If deaf or speech impaired, text ‘police’ and the details to 60066. How to use our text service.
• Visit your local police station.
• Contact your local officer to discuss non-urgent concerns, Kent Police Community Liaison Officers are based all over Kent and you can find their details at the Kent Police website by following the link: http://www.kent.police.uk/about_us/diversity/pages/comm_liaison.html
• When you call Kent Police, ask for the incident reference number. A police officer will come to speak to you as soon as possible. (Make sure you get the police officer’s name and number.) An investigating officer will always be assigned to you and you will be advised who that person is.

Report it to others…

• If you’re not sure about contacting the police, you might prefer to:
• call 0800 138 1624 - this service is run by trained, non-police staff and is available 24/7.
• visit the True Vision online reporting website.

To find out more about the service or to download a leaflet in a variety of languages go to the Kent Police website by clicking here or following the link: www.kent.police.uk

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]

Domestic Abuse Support Services covers Kent and Medway providing advice and information on services for victims, friends & family, and perpetrators of Domestic Abuse and domestic violence.

Find local help to you if:

• You are in an abusive relationship
• A friend of yours is being abused
• If you are a young person
• If you are an abuser
• Or if you are a professional

The Domestic Abuse Support Service means you can search for services to help you in your local area. In addition they have further advice and help on their website: www.domesticabuseservices.org.uk

The Helpline can give support, help and information over the telephone, wherever the caller might be in the country. The Helpline is staffed 24 hours a day by fully trained female helpline support workers and volunteers. All calls are completely confidential. Translation facilities for callers whose first language is not English, and a service for callers who are deaf or hard of hearing are available.

To find out more about this service and go to the website click the following link: www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk

Domestic abuse is an unacceptable crime which affects people from all social and economic backgrounds, regardless of age, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation. It includes any action involving abuse between adult family members (including current and former partners). The abuse occurs when a person causes, attempts to cause, or threatens to cause emotional, sexual or physical harm to an intimate partner or other family member.

Initial response to serious incidents dial 999

• Kent Police DVU enquiries and non-urgent crime reports dial 101 or visit your local police station to speak with an officer in confidence
• Medway Police DVU enquiries and non-urgent crime reports: 01634 792308 or email [email protected] or visit your local police station to speak with an officer in confidence
• Hearing impaired text ‘Police’ and message to 60066
• freephone 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge on 0808 2000 247 or the Mens’ Advice Line on 0808 801 0327
• Kent and Medway Domestic Violence website for information and advice click here.
• National Centre for DV (NCDV) 0844 8044 999 for legal help and civil injunctions
• Mankind (for male victims of DV) 01823 334 244
• Karma Nirvana (for honour based violence and forced marriage) 0800 5999 247
• Forced Marriage Unit 0207 008 0151

www.domesticabuseservices.org.uk

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

Family Matters are there to support you if you have been subjected to rape or sexual abuse. Family Matters operate throughout Kent and Medway and provide a confidential helpline, counselling, advice and support.

Family Matters provide:

• A safe and confidential environment in which to explore the thoughts, feelings and behaviour affecting your life.
• To listen, offer support and help as you find a way through some of the difficulties you are experiencing and how they impact on your wellbeing.
• To help reduce the mental and physical distress you may be experiencing.
• To assist those faced with inflicting self harm or suicidal thoughts.
• To guide you through a period of change, during which we will help you grow and replace old behaviour with new ways of thinking and self-discovery.

The Family Matters counselling practice is supported by qualified professionals - specialists in the areas of childhood sexual abuse and rape. They are trained across a wide range of issues and disciplines to help those affected address their fears and identify a clear path towards resolution and healing.

Family Matters expertise is wide-ranging and covers physical abuse, depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress, child protection, trauma, bereavement, self-esteem issues, and anger management. Family Matters would also address how being vulnerable impacts on work related problems, sexuality issues and - where appropriate - related drug and alcohol problems.

Helpline 01474 537392 or email at: [email protected] or write to their Head Office at 13 Wrotham Road, Gravesend, Kent DA11 0PA.

To go to their website follow the linkL www.familymattersuk.org

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

Fusion Healthy Living Centre is a partnership project featuring a cafe with internet access and a huge range of services including;

• Café with full internet access.
• Health Trainer Service
• Citizen Advice Bureau (CAB)
• Golding Homes Benefit surgery.
• Sexual Health clinic for young people.
• Youth Café
• Chiropody
• Health Walks
• Activities for All
• Lunch Boxes
• Families Matter Most

4 Parkwood Parade, Maidstone, ME15 9HL. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01622 691177 or email: [email protected]
To go to their website go to the following link: www.fusionhlc.org.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.

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.

Address: 116b London Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 0PN. Click here to see this location on a google map.

Telephone: 01892 524916, or email [email protected]

Click here to go to the Home Start South West Kent website or go to: www.home-startswk.org.uk

• Provide support for parents
• Support and Friendship for families

The Horizon Project, engages hard-to-reach young people and moves them towards independence through the provision of vocational training.

• Edenbridge centre covers painting & decorating.
• Tonbridge, Cranbrook (both carpentry & joinery)
• Tunbridge Wells (plumbing & electrical).

Unit 3, Euro House, Station Road, Edenbridge, TN8 6HQ. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01732 865 352, or email: [email protected]
To go to their website follow the link: www.horizonproject.co.uk

Have you seen your GP or Doctor and they have recommended you see a counsellor and get some therapy? Insight Healthcare is one of the free NHS funded talking therapy and counselling services available in Kent and Medway. These services are open to everyone aged from 17+.

Are you feeling stressed or depressed or anxious?

Or struggling with a phobia, eating disorder or addiction?

Or if you are looking for someone to help you through a difficult time in life, maybe a friend or relative has died or you’re struggling with fertility of if you have lost your job?

Talking therapies can help all sorts of people in many different situations. Talking therapy is for anyone who’s going through a bad time or who has emotional problems they can’t sort out on their own.

You can refer yourself into this free service and see a NHS funded therapist.

Contact: Insight Healthcare: Telephone: 0300 555 5555 or email [email protected]. To go to their website click here.

Insight Healthcare provide counselling and support for common mental health problems; anxiety, low mood, low self-esteem, stress, trauma, phobias and anger, as well as problems with regards to relationships, work or debt.

www.insighthealthcare.org

There are several talking therapy providers in your area so if one has a waiting list why not try another therapy provider go to our list of local NHS Talking Therapy providers which you can find on our NHS Counselling and Therapy page.

This service was provided as part of the IAPT programme, to find out more about IAPT go to: www.iapt.nhs.uk.

Involve Kent based in Maidstone provide a range of services to the community which includes:

• Carers - providing assessments, information, advice and peer support
• Older Adults - community support and groups to reduce isolation and falls prevention services
• Community Transport - safe and reliable transport for those unable to use public transport - for a small fee
• Volunteering - supported volunteering projects to support vulnerable people of in Maidstone Gateway as well as running the Volunteer Centre Maidstone & Malling
• VCS Support - providing advice, information and training for the VCS sector in the Maidstone area
• Cancer Support - through Macmillan Volunteer Service helping support those diagnosed with cancer
• Your Voice - For people with mental health needs, giving them a voice and enabling them to share their experiences of services and support

To go to their website click here or follow the link: www.involvekent.org.uk or email them for more information: [email protected] or call: 01622 677337

Address: Involve Kent, 39-48 Marsham Street, Maidstone Community Support Centre, Maidstone, ME14 1HH

A Carer is someone of any age who provides unpaid support to a family member or friend who could not manage without help. The person cared for or supported could be a relative, partner, friend or neighbour who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or substance misuse problems.

Involve Carers recognises and values the contribution that Carers make; not only to the life and well being of the person they care for, but also to the wider community. They want to support Carers in their caring role.

Involve Carers is a point of contact and support for anyone living in Maidstone, Malling and surrounding rural areas who cares for a relative, partner or friend. They provide:

• emotional and practical support
• advice
• information
• free ‘Caring with Confidence’ courses
• peer support groups
• a wide range of free activity groups
• newsletters

They offer statutory Carers Assessments, and can register Carers with the free Kent Carers Emergency Card scheme.

Website: www.involvekent.org.uk/services/carers

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 01622 685276

Address: Involve Carers, 39-48 Marsham Street, Maidstone Community Support Centre, Maidstone, ME14 1HH

K-DASH Domestic Abuse One Stop Shops offer free advice, information and support from a range of agencies under one roof to help victims of domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse can affect anyone and therefore, if you are a man or a woman and would like to discuss your issues, you are welcome to attend K-DASH. No appointment is required just turn up.

Address: Maidstone Community Support Centre, 39-48 Marsham Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1HH, to see this location on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01622 761146 (mon-fri 9am-5pm) or email: [email protected]

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

Have you seen your GP or Doctor and they have recommended you see a counsellor and get some therapy? KMPT Primary Care Psychological Therapies West Kent is one of the free NHS funded talking therapy and counselling services available in Kent and Medway. These services are open to everyone aged from 17+.

Are you feeling stressed or depressed or anxious?

Or struggling with a phobia, eating disorder or addiction?

Or if you are looking for someone to help you through a difficult time in life, maybe a friend or relative has died or you’re struggling with fertility of if you have lost your job?

Talking therapies can help all sorts of people in many different situations. Talking therapy is for anyone who’s going through a bad time or who has emotional problems they can’t sort out on their own.

You can refer yourself into this free service and see a NHS funded therapist.

KMPT Primary Care Psychological Therapies West Kent

If you are based in Maidstone, South West Kent or Medway please call 0800 2799 500 or click here to self refer www.kmpt.nhs.uk/pcpts

KMPT Primary Care Psychological Therapies West Kent provide counselling and support for common mental health problems; anxiety, low mood, low self-esteem, stress, trauma, phobias and anger, as well as problems with regards to relationships, work or debt.

There are several talking therapy providers in your area so if one has a waiting list why not try another therapy provider go to our list of local NHS Talking Therapy providers which you can find on our NHS Counselling and Therapy page.

This service was provided as part of the IAPT programme, to find out more about IAPT go to: www.iapt.nhs.uk.

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.

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

Maidstone Community Support Centre, 39-48 Marsham St, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1HH
Tel: 01622 671011 or to go to their website follow the link: www.maidstonecruse.org.uk

• Support for those bereaved by death
• Supports military families
• Provides training in bereavement support

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

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

Maidstone Community Mental Health Team, 180/186 Union Street, Maidstone, ME14 1EY. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Tel: 01622 766900. 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

Day centre run by Maidstone Christian Care providing support and facilities for people facing homelessness including:

• hot showers
• laundry
• food
• lounge
• telephone
• basic skills training
• help with benefits claims and housing

Lily Smith House, 15 Knightrider Street, Maidstone, ME15 6LP. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01622 674064 or email: [email protected]. To go to their website follow the link: www.homelessinmaidstone.org.uk/mdc.htm.

Maidstone Gateway is a great way of finding local and public services. Find out about all the services that operate from this community hub here.

The Gateway makes it easier to reach a wide range of specialist, voluntary and charitable agencies in addition to services from Kent County Council and Maidstone Borough Council. Also offered is free internet access.

The Gateway, King Street, Maidstone ME15 6JQ. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01622 602000 or contact them through: www.maidstone.gov.uk/contactus

To go to their website follow the link: www.maidstone.gov.uk/find-and-contact-us/the-gateway

Maidstone Mind are committed to supporting mental health and wellbeing in the community with a person centred approach. They offer a wide range of services which include:

• Arts and craft therapy
• Gardening project
• Cooking groups
• Social groups
• Walking group
• OCD Peer support
• Recovery group and Recovery Star guidance
• Coping with Life Courses (CBT based)
• Home visits for hoarders
• Befriending service
• Volunteer opportunities
• Support programme for hoarding

Maidstone Mind are also an accredited IAPT provider with counselling services.

Hoarding Service - Maidstone Mind provides home visits by appointment for individuals in the Maidstone area who hoard. They can also provide CBT specially for Hoarding. Individuals can self-refer or be referred by external agencies. Please contact Maidstone Mind for more information.

Address: 23 College Road, Maidstone, ME15 6YH. To see the location of this service on a google map click here. Telephone: 01622 692383 or email: [email protected]

To go to their website go to: www.maidstonemind.org

In collaboration with Age Maidstone, Brighter Futures and Maidstone Borough Council they provide a free Counselling Service to all Maidstone residents aged 50 and over.

mcch Maidstone supports people who have or are recovery from mental health issues to get back into work, voluntary work, training or educational opportunities.

mcch support people to build confidence, write CVs, fill out application forms and practice interviews. We also support people with computer training through the UK Online centre and support to find employment.

Live It Well Centre, 84 Holland Road, Maidstone, ME14 1UT.

Telephone: 01622 688003 or email: [email protected]

To find out more click here.

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

Mental Health Matters provide support for all mental health matters including bereavement, relationships, loneliness and stress 24 hours per day 7 days per week.

Mental Health Matters Telephone Helpline consists of a team of highly trained and experienced support workers who use counselling skills to provide you with emotional guidance and information.

You might choose to call us if:

• You may be feeling low, anxious or stressed and feel talking to another person might help you cope
• You may be in extreme emotional distress and feel that there is nowhere else to turn including thoughts of suicide
• You may be caring for another person and finding it difficult to cope.

Contacting the Helpline can give you a feeling of relief, wellbeing and peace of mind. You won’t be judged and our service is confidential unless we consider that there is a risk to yourself or others.

Helpline (Kent & Medway): 0800 1070160 24 hour support, 7 days a week, all year around.

The MindEd online resource provides information and advice concerning children’s mental health and wellbeing. The MindEd online resource is for concerned children and their families to seek help and advice. MindEd directs visitors to sections including ‘risky behaviour’, ‘eating disorders’, ‘sexual orientation and gender’ and ‘being a parent in the digital age’ for expert advice.

Topics on the website include:

• Should I Be Worried?
• What To Do In A Crisis
• Death And Loss (Including Pets)
• Trauma And Coping
• Talking To My Child
• Who Can Help Us?
• Building Confidence And Resilience
• Parenting In A Digital World
• Refusal To Go To School
• Bullying And What To Do As A Parent
• Sexual Orientation And Gender
• Eating Disorders

The website has been developed by the The Department for Education and Department of Health

To go to the MindEd webpage follow the link: minded.e-lfh.org.uk/families/index.html

NAPAC is the National Association for People Abused in Childhood. NAPAC is there to help adults come to terms with what abuse suffered in childhood. NAPAC was set up, as the only national organisation solely focussed on helping all adult survivors of any kind of childhood abuse – whether physical, sexual, emotional, ritual or organised or the result of neglect.

Millions of adults in the UK today carry with them the painful memories of abuse they suffered when they were children. Many adults with a history of childhood abuse can continue to suffer – from post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, depression. They have a higher chance than others of becoming involved in crime, prostitution, drugs or alcohol abuse. They can suffer from low self-esteem and be prone to self-harm or suicide.

NAPAC:

• Provide a range of services and information which offer direct support to survivors
• Ensure that survivors know where they can go for help
• Spread best practice in the support of survivors among those who they may approach for help
• Stand up for survivors and representing their interests among those who are in a position to help improve their lives

Call their freephone number from a landline or mobile: 0808 801 0331 the phoneline is manned from 10 am - 9pm Monday - Thursday and 10 am - 6pm Friday

or email: [email protected]

To go to the NAPAC website follow the link: napac.org.uk

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 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

Kent Probation is a statutory criminal justice agency with more than 100 years of experience of working with offenders on community orders and licences. The Probation Service aims to protect the public and reduce re-offending by delivering the orders of the courts and by helping offenders to reform their lives.

• Specific monitoring of offenders within the community
• Work with individuals to address the underlying causes of their offending
• Working with offenders on community services to reduce reoffending

Telephone: 03000 473000

To find out more go to the Kent & Medway Probation website click here: ksscrc.co.uk

Relate services include Relationship Counselling for individuals and couples, Family Counselling, Mediation, Children and Young People’s Counselling and Sex Therapy. They also provide friendly and informal workshops for people at important stages in their relationships.

Address: 12 Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8AS, to see this location on a google map click here.

For appointments call 01892 529927 or Email: [email protected]

• Helping couples, families and individuals to make relationships work better
• Delivering inclusive, high-quality services that are relevant at every stage of life
• Sex therapy
• Relationship education

Relates relationship help pages offer practical tips, guides and videos to help you manage common relationship issues such as sex, separation and divorce, and parenting. Whatever the issue, they can help. Follow the link to go to their website www.relate.org.uk

Rethink South West Kent Voluntary Group is a support group for people who have mental health needs and their families and carers.

The Vine Baptist Church Meeting Rooms, Park Lane, Sevenoaks, TN13 3UP. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01732 452143 or email: [email protected]. To go to their web page click here.

This group meet for mutual support and information. They have a variety of speakers and also hold some social events which service users may attend.

http://rethink.org

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

Counselling for Victims of Serious Crime in Kent. This is a service for anyone that has been affected by serious crime. Rubicon Cares provide trauma counselling throughout Kent & Medway for people affected by ANY crime. This is a free, confidential service to help people deal with the affects of, and move on from, what has happened.

The crime incident can be historical, current, reported or unreported to the police……it is the impact on you which is important to us.

We also have a specialist helpline service which is available 4 times a week to support on a short term basis those who cannot get to us or would like further information about the counselling.

Address: Maidstone Community Support Centre, 39-48 Marsham Street, Maidstone, ME14 1HH, to see their location on a google map click here.

Tel: 01622 230736 or mailto: [email protected] or to go to their website click on the link: www.rubiconcares.org

• One to one specialist counselling to help people overcome traumatic events.
• Specialist telephone helpline for victims and professionals providing information and support on trauma and counselling.

They have counsellors covering the whole of Kent, their main office is based in Maidstone.

They also have a specialist helpline service which is available 3 times a week to support on a short term basis those who cannot get to us. The hours for the helpline are:

• Wednesdays 7 - 9 pm
• Thursdays 12 - 2 pm
• Saturdays 12 - 2 pm

The helpline phone number is 07505 709876.

The Samaritans provide 24 hour help 365 days a year.

Telephone 116 123 or email: [email protected]

(this phone number works even if you do not have credit on your phone)

You can’t really generalise how struggling to cope can make you feel or act, but if you think these symptoms sound like you or someone you know, please get in touch with the Samaritans

• Lacking energy or feeling tired
• Feeling restless and agitated
• Feeling tearful
• Not wanting to talk to or be with people
• Not wanting to do things you usually enjoy
• Using alcohol or drugs to cope with feelings
• Finding it hard to cope with everyday thing

Talk to the Samaritans any time you like, in your own way, and off the record – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal.

The Samaritans provide face to face and phone contact for mental distress, suicide, self-harm, isolation.

To find your local branch follow the link www.samaritans.org/branches

For their websitego to: www.samaritans.org.uk

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

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness. They provide free information and advocacy to people in housing need.

24 Housing support, help and advice 0808 8004444

• Visit the Get Advice section for help online
• Phone or visit a Shelter advice centre near you
• To go to their website click here
• Provides advice and support on all aspects of housing
• Legal advice on eviction, emergencies, homelessness
• Will offer support and advice for housing in cases of family break-up, domestic violence and homeless young people

http://england.shelter.org.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

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

• 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

Highlands House, 10-12 Calverley Park Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2JN. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Tel: 01892 709 211. For their website click here or to find out more about Community Mental Health Teams click here to go to the Live It Well Information.

http://www.kmpt.nhs.uk

SSAFA provide whatever support is needed for the Forces family. SSAFA provide lifelong support to anyone who is currently serving or has ever served in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force. They are here for you and your family, whenever and wherever you need us. They will always treat you with dignity and respect.

Call our central team on 0207 403 8783

If you are currently serving in the armed forces they can help with:

• Housing and housing advice
• Family Support Groups
• Adoption for serving families
• Additional Needs and Disability support
• Mentoring for Service personnel
• Professional health and social care
• Personal Support & Social Work for the RAF
• Forcesline confidential helpline
• Support for serving families abroad

If you are an ex armed services veteran SSAFA have trained volunteers can provide practical and emotional help if and when you need it. They also have a network of local branches, which means that help and advice is always close at hand.
Call our team on 0845 241 7141 or send them an enquiry.

They also offer the following specialist services for veterans and their families:

• Housing and housing advice
• Forcesline confidential helpline
• Support for offenders, ex-offenders and partners

For more information go to their main website: www.ssafa.org.uk

For Kent specific help call: 01622 792363 or email: [email protected]

They should be able to answer your calls and emails between: Monday to Friday - 9.00 - 17.00 At other times please leave a message or send an email and someone will get back to you soon

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

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 Ripple Pond provides support for carers and families armed service and ex armed service personnel. The Ripple Pond groups are here for family members of those who have been impacted by events experienced, be that by physical injury or emotional trauma, while serving in the Armed Forces, however long ago and in whatever conflict or manner.

To find out more click here to go to their website or follow the link: www.theripplepond.co.uk

You can email the Ripple Pond at: [email protected]

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

Maidstone: The Salvation Army, Maidstone Corps, 74-80 Union Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1ED. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Tel: 01622 681 808 Email:[email protected]

Tunbridge Wells: The Salvation Army, Tunbridge Wells Corps, Bayhall Road, Tunbridge Wells
Kent, TN2 4UT. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Tel: 01892 523 849, 01892 531 080 (office), Email: [email protected]

• Clubs, support and night shelters for the vulnerable - please contact branch for details

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

Have you seen your GP or Doctor and they have recommended you see a counsellor and get some therapy? Thinkaction West Kent is one of the free NHS funded talking therapy and counselling services available in Kent and Medway. These services are open to everyone aged from 17+.

Are you feeling stressed or depressed or anxious?

Or struggling with a phobia, eating disorder or addiction?

Or if you are looking for someone to help you through a difficult time in life, maybe a friend or relative has died or you’re struggling with fertility of if you have lost your job?

Talking therapies can help all sorts of people in many different situations. Talking therapy is for anyone who’s going through a bad time or who has emotional problems they can’t sort out on their own.

You can refer yourself into this free service and see a NHS funded therapist.

Thinkaction West Kent: 0300 012 0012 or email [email protected], they accept GP or self referrals click here to go to their website. They don’t have a waiting list so we are usually able to offer an appointment within 1-3 weeks. Address: Maidstone Community Support Centre, 39-48 Marsham Street, Maidstone ME14 1HH

Tel: 0300 012 0012

Email: [email protected]

For their website click here or follow the link: www.addaction.org.uk

Thinkaction West Kent provide counselling and support for common mental health problems; anxiety, low mood, low self-esteem, stress, trauma, phobias and anger, as well as problems with regards to relationships, work or debt.

There are several talking therapy providers in your area so if one has a waiting list why not try another therapy provider go to our list of local NHS Talking Therapy providers which you can find on our NHS Counselling and Therapy page.

This service was provided as part of the IAPT programme, to find out more about IAPT go to: www.iapt.nhs.uk

Tonbridge Gateway is a great way of finding local and public services. Find out about all the services that operate from this community hub here.

Tonbridge Castle, Castle Street, TN9 1BG. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01732 876322 or email: [email protected]. To go to their web page click here.

Tonbridge Gateway offers something for everyone, from skills learning to housing advice, access to voluntary organisations and Kent County Council services. Also offered is free internet access.

www.tmbc.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/customer-services

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

3 St Mary’s Road, Tonbridge, TN9 2LD. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01732 357978 or email: [email protected]. To go to their web page click here, or go to the following link: www.tonbridgevb.care4free.net

Tunbridge Wells Volunteer Centres help people find a volunteering role which matches their skills, experience and circumstances.

Wood House, Wood Street, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2QS. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01892 540131 or email: [email protected]

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

They have offices throughout the region click here to find your local branch.

Telephone: 01892 526121. To go to their web page click here, or go to the following link: www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk

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

Tunbridge Wells Mental Health Resource centre provides practical and emotional support in a safe and caring environment, for people suffering with mental ill health.

The Resource Centre, 2a Grosvenor Park, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2BD. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01892 615 552 or email: [email protected] . To go to their web page click here, or go to the following link: www.twmhr.org.uk

Reachout provides friendly and confidential peer support groups for people with mental health difficulties based in the community. Our aim is to reduce isolation and encourage people to be pro-active in managing their own recovery. Reachout covers Cranbrook, Hawkhurst, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Edenbridge.

A free counselling service and community one to one support programme are available.

Victim Support can help you if you’ve been a victim of any crime or have been affected by a crime committed against someone you know, victim support can help you find the strength to deal with what you’ve been through. Victim Support is here to help anyone affected by crime, not only victims and witnesses, but their friends, family and any other people involved. You can contact them whether or not you reported the crime to the police. They are just there to support you.

Their services are free and available to everyone, whether or not the crime has been reported and regardless of when it happened.

• National Charity offering support for victims and witnesses of crime
• Run the Witness Service in courts
• Support offered for immediate and historic experience of crime
• They help victims to receive respect, recognition and support
• They help victims to get information and an explanation about the progress of their case
• They help victims to be protected in any way necessary
• They help victims to receive compensation

Telephone: 0845 3899528 or Victim Supportline: 0845 3030900.

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

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

Bradbourne School, Bradbourne Vale Road, TN13 3LE. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01732 454785 or email: [email protected]. To go to their web page click here, or go to the following link: www.sevenoaksvolunteers.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.

Tel: 01732 353575 or email: [email protected]

• Support for those bereaved by death
• Supports military families
• Provides training in bereavement support

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

The West Kent Eating Disorders Support Group For Carers is part of b-eat Self-Help Network and is being run in collaboration with Carers First in Tonbridge.

Carers First, 192 High Street, Tonbridge, TN9 1BE. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01732 357555 or email: [email protected]. To go to their web page click here, or go to the following link: www.eda-westkent.org.uk

The group meets on the last Thursday of every month from 7.30pm - 9.00pm. All parents, carers and friends of people with an eating disorder, or of people who they believe might have an eating disorder, or of people who might be at risk of developing an eating disorder are welcome.

There are three main types of eating disorders, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.

West Kent Mind works to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress, they run many support groups and counselling.

West Kent Mind provides mental health support and help for people in Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Edenbridge, Westerham and surrounding areas.

Provides support for all and their friends, relatives and carers also run:

• Support groups for mums
• ASD Support Groups
• Stress
• Counselling
• Supported Housing

Address: Sevenoaks Centre, 34, St John’s Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3LW. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01732 744950 or email: [email protected]

To go to their web page go to the following link: www.westkentmind.org.uk

Winfield promotes confidence through training. If you are interested in learning about computers and their uses and gaining I.T. qualifications (or just building your confidence and knowledge), then Winfield can offer you training, advice and support.

Winfield are based in West Kent and Medway.

To go to their web page go to the following link: winfieldcomputing.org.uk

Winfield are part of United Response.