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Your health and wellbeing

Here are some local organisations that offer support for people in Medway.

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    Keeping physically well

    Support for drug or alcohol issues

    The Forward Trust provides help for drug or alcohol issues, homelessness, unemployment or mental health.
    Phone: 0300 123 1560
    Email: Medway@forwardtrust.org.uk
    Visit: 423 Chatham High Street, ME4 4NU.

    Turning Point provides support for drug or alcohol issues, mental health concerns or a learning disabilities.
    Phone: 0300 123 1560
    Visit: 423 Chatham High Street, ME4 4NU

    Narcotics Anonymous can support people with drug problems.
    Phone: 0300 999 1212
    Alcoholics Anonymous can support people with alcohol problems.
    Phone: 0800 917 7650
    Email: help@aamail.org

    Weight loss and smokefree support

    Tipping the Balance is a community-based programme which aims to help people lead a healthier lifestyle and manage their weight.

    The main aims of the service are to:

    • support people to work towards a healthy weight
    • encourage healthier lifestyles
    • improve self-esteem and confidence.

    For more information phone 01634 333 101 or email tippingthebalance@nhs.net.

    A Better Medway offer support to go smokefree, find out more at their website.

    Sports and leisure

    Medway has three leisure centres and under-16s and over 60s can get a free swimming card.

    Mental health and emotional wellbeing

    The NHS website has useful information on where to get urgent help for mental health.

    Find talking therapies near you at NHS talking therapies.

    Samaritans is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide. Visit the Samaritans website or call 116 123 (24-hour emergency helpline).

    Mind, provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

    SHOUT is a confidential text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. Text 85258 24/7.

    Young Minds has some information on talking to your child about their mental health.

    Megan provides opportunities for people experiencing mental health issues to share their views and experiences. They offer peer support through group attendance and raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing to combat stigma and discrimination.
    Visit 33 Magpie Hall Road, Chatham
    Phone: 01634 402077

    Chums Support Service offers specialist bereavement support to children and young people from 3.5 up to their 26th birthday in Kent and Medway. Phone 0808 808 1677 for more information.

    Amparo provide support to people who have been bereaved by suicide.
    Phone 0330 088 9255.

    Domestic abuse and rape support

    Domestic abuse

    Domestic abuse includes physical, emotional and sexual abuse in relationships or between family members. Domestic violence can happen to anyone. You can still get help even during isolation, so if you feel uncomfortable, pressurised, threatened or have been attacked - don't wait, ask for help now.

    Visit Domestic Abuse Services for details of local support in Kent and Medway.

    There is a one stop drop-in at the Sunlight Centre, 105 Richmond Street, Gillingham 9.30am to 12noon on Tuesdays.

    Clarion Domestic Abuse Service can help find you emergency accommodation or provide extra security measures if needed. Phone 0800 2800 518 or 0800 2800 366

    Children and young people can call ChildLine 24/7. Calls to 0800 1111 are free and confidential. You can also get information at Childline online. Supports child victims of domestic abuse with career development support.
    Phone: 07834792184
    Email: info@freshvisions.org.uk

    Women can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247), and men can call the Mens' Advice Line (0808 8010327) for free at any time, day or night. They will offer confidential, non-judgemental information and support. You can also speak to Kent Police on the non-emergency telephone number 101, but if you are at immediate risk then please call 999.

    Rape and sexual abuse

    Beech House is a sexual assault referral centre with specialist medical and forensic services for anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted. Their services are free of charge and people can self-refer themselves.
    Phone: 01622 726 461.
    Visit: 7 West Court South Park Business Village, West Ct, Maidstone ME15 6JD

    Family Matters – sexual abuse and rape can leave physical and mental scars that take time and understanding to work through. Family Matters Counselling Service has been created to provide skilled help for children and adults who are experiencing these difficulties.
    Phone: 01474 537392
    Email admin@familymattersuk.org

    Support for parents

    Medway Health Visiting Team supports children under the age of five with a list of local support for families including breastfeeding support and Healthy Start vouchers that can be used to buy healthy food and free vitamins if you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under four and on certain benefits.

    Home Start Medway – supporting parents to give children the best start in life 01634 570717

    Abigail Footsteps is a child bereavement charity, providing support and counselling for bereaved parents and specialist bereavement training for healthcare professionals.
    Phone: 07868 379 941
    Email: faye.hill@abigailsfootsteps.co.uk

    Help with living costs, debt or employment

    Help with basic living needs including food and clothing

    Medway Foodbank provides three days of nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people in crisis. Phone 01634 757057 https://www.trusselltrust.org/

    The Salvation Army has a foodbank available Monday and Friday 10.30am to 1.30pm.
    Phone: 01634 843689
    Email: chatham@salvationarmy.org.uk
    Visit: Church Street, Chatham,ME4 4BT

    One Big Family is a small dedicated charity, supporting homeless and vulnerably- housed people in Medway by providing food, drinks, clothing, toiletries and other vital items.
    They meet at 6.30 pm every Sunday at the bottom of Meeting House Lane, Chatham (next to Chocofellas)

    Caring hands – A hand up, not just a hand out. Feeding and supporting people who are homeless and vulnerable.
    Phone: 01634 40976815
    Visit: 15a, 16 New Road Avenue, Chatham, ME4 6BA.

    Porchlight Shaw Trust is Kent’s largest charity for homeless and vulnerable people.
    Phone: 0800 5677699
    Email: info@livewellkent.org.uk

    Transport

    Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) can provide a refund of reasonable travel costs if you're referred to hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic tests by a doctor, dentist or another primary care health professional.

    Patient Transport is a service provided by G4S on behalf of the NHS Integrated Care Board for Kent and Medway. It is designed to support you if your medical or physical condition means you cannot use public transport, get a lift, or drive yourself to, and from, your NHS appointment. Patient Transport is a vital resource for those that need it.

    Employment and citizen’s advice

    Citizen advice- We can all face problems that seem complicated or intimidating. At Citizens Advice we believe no one should have to face these problems without good quality, independent advice. Here to give people the knowledge and the confidence they need to find their way forward - whoever they are, and whatever their problem.
    Phone: 01634 838760

    Employment Medway Advice Centre provides employment advice for anyone referred by JobCentre Plus.
    Visit: 99-101 High St, Chatham.
    Phone: 01634 336682, Monday to Thursday 9am to 4.30pm, Friday 9am to 4pm.

    Job Centre Plus-  0800 3289344

    Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.
    Phone: 0800 169 0310.

    Homelessness support

    Time for the Homeless is a charity that supplies food and essentials to homeless, vulnerable and those in need across Medway.
    Email: timeforthehomeless@outlook.com

    Phone 07496108583.

    Drop-in for rough sleepers is available at Salem Church, Nelson Road, Gillingham, on Mondays 7.30 to 9pm.
    Phone: 01634 853330

    Gillingham Street Angels supporting and helping the homeless and anyone in need, no matter the reason.
    Visit; 43 Skinner Street, Gillingham, ME7 1LG
    Phone: 07790 052575

    Special education support

    Medway SENDIAS provides advice and support to children and young people aged 25 and under.
    Visit: Family Action, 5a New Road Avenue, Chatham, ME4 6BB
    Phone: 01634 566 303
    Email: medwaysendias@family-action.org.uk

    Cancer support
    Macmillan Cancer Support offers support for anyone experiencing cancer.
    Phone: 0808 8080000

    Social support

    Medway Men in Sheds supports men who are currently not in work or have retired. You’ll need a membership to get involved.
    Phone: 01634 581511
    Email medwaymeninsheds@sunlighttrust.org.uk

    Age UK Medway –A huge range of support services available to the elderly.
    Phone: 01634 572616

    Headway Medway – improving life after brain injury.
    Visit: 5 Manor Road, Chatham, ME4 6AG
    Phone: 07576 999024 (drop in)
    Email: cllrathome@yahoo.co.uk