Medical

• Health visiting team

0300 123 3092

kentchft.ashfordHV@nhs.net

https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/service/kent-baby-health-visiting-service/

• Kent family website

https://family.kentcht.nhs.uk/

• Bump Birth and beyond – midwife support

https://kentandmedwaylms.nhs.uk/

Youth and Children centres

• Kent family Hub

https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/kent-family-hub

Willow Children’s centre -03000 410305

Sure Steps -03000 418600

Waterside children’s centre (New Town) -03000 418700

Little explorers (Tenterden) -03000 410305

Youth Hub -03000417567

• Sk8te side -youth club and sk8te park

https://en-gb.facebook.com/sk8sidecic/  

https://www.sk8side.co.uk/

• Tenterden Youth Club

https://www.sk8side.co.uk/

Monday 3.30pm - 6.30pm - Pavilion on the Recreation Ground

Wednesday 3.30pm - 6.30pm - Pavilion on the Recreation Ground

Thursday 3.30pm - 6pm - Pavilion on the Recreation Ground

• Home-Start -Support with families where there is a child under 5, including Chill with Dad’s group, direct support for families, groups and events

T: 01233 647209

E: info@home-start-ashford.co.uk

http://home-start-ashford.co.uk/

Children’s Emotional well-being

• Kooth -support for the children online (for children aged 10-18)

https://www.kooth.com/

• ChatHealth -text only support for young people aged 11-19 -Chat, health, Exams, stress, sexual health, health questions

Mon-Friday 9am-5pm

Text: 07520618850

www.kentcht.nhs.uk  

• Mood spark -support around emotional well-being for people aged 10-19

https://moodspark.org.uk/

• The Mix -essential support for under 25s

Tel: 0808 808 4994

https://www.themix.org.uk/

• Young Minds – support and advice for young people

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/

Prent support can be accessed via the link below:

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/

• Childline -support for anything, anytime

https://www.childline.org.uk/

0800 1111

 

Support for parenting teenagers

• Family lives 

https://www.familylives.org.uk/advice/teenagers

• Young Minds- Support around teenagers gaming

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/gaming/

 

Support around school attendance

• www.notfineinschool.co.uk   
• EBSA Toolkit – School Access only

 

Support around Home-schooling

• https://www.educationotherwise.org/ - support for parent’s home schooling

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/learn  -BBC lessons and subject support
• https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/educating-your-child-at-home KCC resources for Home educating
• https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/  -0includes sessions for home schooled children and outdoor activities
• The Oak Academy  - https://www.thenational.academy/pupils/years

 

Adult emotional well-being

• Contact -support for families with disabled children

https://contact.org.uk/

• Porchlight -Livewell - A choice of support. - Free therapy and counselling services, Managing anxiety and depression, Gain confidence, meet new people, Help finding work, volunteering and education opportunities, Support for issues with drug or alcohol, Activities and support groups run locally

Call 0800 567 7699 Mon-Friday 9am-5pm

https://www.porchlight.org.uk/information-support/list-of-support-services/livewell-kent-medway

• Release the pressure

Free expert advice from trained counsellors is available for every mental health concern, including:

-anxiety

-depression

-low self-esteem

-money worries

-relationship troubles

-stress

-suicidal thoughts.

TEL: 0800 107 0160

• Everyturn – Talking therapies

https://www.everyturn.org/

• We are with you -support around your mental health.

https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/help-and-advice/find-service/how-we-help-mental-health/#

• Insight Healthcare Talking Therapies (Kent) - Our Kent counselling and talking therapies service is free and available to anyone aged 17.5+

https://www.everyturn.org/talking-therapies/locations/kent/

Tel: 0300 555 5555

Email: kent@everyturn.org

• NHS list of talking therapies available to you

https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-nhs-talking-therapies-service

• Samaritans

https://www.samaritans.org/

TEL:116123

• Ashford community Mental health team

01233 658100

Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm

Eureka Place, Eureka Business Park, Trinity Rd, Ashford TN25 4BY

• Forward trust – support for drug and alcohol addiction

https://www.forwardtrust.org.uk/support-type/drug-alcohol-support/

Bereavement support

• Cruse -Bereavement support for adults and children

https://www.cruse.org.uk/

Tel: 0808 808 1677

• Holding on letting go -Supporting bereaved children and their families -in Kent

https://holdingonlettinggo.org.uk/

• Chums  -Bereavement support for children – up to 26years

https://chums.uk.com/kent-bereavement-service/

• Winston’s wish    - supports bereaved children, young people, their families and the professionals who support them.

https://winstonswish.org/

Help line on 08088 020 021

Mental illness

• Rethink – support for someone caring for someone with a mental illness.

https://www.rethink.org/help-in-your-area/groups-in-your-area/

Disability and Carers support

• Includes us 2- For parents & carers of children with a disability or SEN living in Ashford, Shepway & Dover

fortnightly zoom meetings (My Time Group), direct support trips etc.

https://www.includesus2.org.uk/

familysupport@includesus2.org.uk

www.facebook.com/IncludesUs2

Nicola Crowfoot -07525589321

• Contact – support for families with disabled children

www.contact.org.uk

0808 808 3555

Premature babies

• Bliss – support for parents of babies born prematurely or sick.

https://www.bliss.org.uk/

hello@bliss.org.uk

Tel: 020 7378 1122

Autism

• National Autistic Society -general advice, information, and helpline

Autism Helpline

Phone: 0808 800 4104

Minicom: 0845 070 4003

autismhelpline@nas.org.uk

www.autism.org.uk

Open from 10am until 4pm

Open from Monday until Friday

• The Kent Autistic Trust

https://www.katfamilysupport.co.uk/childrens-support-groups   

Wendy Boorman (Family Support Officer)

Phone: 01634 405168

E-mail: wendy@kentautistic.com 

• ASD Ashford

https://www.asdashford.com/  

• Autism Central – support for parents and carers

https://www.autismcentral.org.uk/

• Autism Education trust -Resources and support for parents and schools for

children and young people with autism.

www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk

Tourette’s syndrome

• Tourette’s Action UK -Kent based and national support groups, support for young people and parents

https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk/

ADHD

• UKAP -The UK ADHD Partnership  -support groups and resources for families

https://www.ukadhd.com/

• ADHD and You - Information for Young people and parents

https://www.adhdandyou.co.uk/child-with-adhd/

• ADHD UK – support for education, strategies and information

https://adhduk.co.uk/

• ADDISS - The National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service.

http://www.addiss.co.uk/

 

 

Dyslexia support

• British Dyslexia Association

https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/

• Irlens.com – provides a free online tool to identify if you need support around Irlen’s

https://irlen.com

https://irlen.com/get-tested/

• Kent Dyslexia

https://kentdyslexia.co.uk/

DCD/Dyspraxia

• Dyspraxia foundation - How would I recognise a child with dyspraxia?' and primary and secondary classroom guidelines. The Foundation supports parents and individuals.

https://dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk

• Movement Matters - This is the UK umbrella organisation representing the major national groups concerned with children and adults with dyspraxia.

https://movementmattersuk.org/

Neurofibromatosis

• Nerve tumours UK -Nerve Tumours UK is the national charity providing support to people with conditions that cause nerve tumours.

https://nervetumours.org.uk/

07939046030

• The Brain charity -We provide practical help on all aspects of living with neurofibromatosis, emotional support such as counselling, phone befriending and groups.

https://www.thebraincharity.org.uk/condition/neurofibromatosis/

01512 982999

Foetal Alcohol Syndrome

• National Organisation for FASD -support for family’s affected by foetal alcohol syndrome.

https://nationalfasd.org.uk/

Helpline: 0208 458 5951

Down syndrome

• Kent Wide Down syndrome group

http://www.kentwideds.org/

Their face book page is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373691836013069/

• 21 together –provide support for family members, carers, friends, and professionals supporting children and young people with Down’s syndrome.

https://21together.org.uk/

SEN support

• SEN local offer

https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/special-educational-needs

 

 

 

 

EHCP support/support around school

• IASK -can support with any problems around gaining an EHCP or reviews or with any educational problems your child may be having

https://www.iask.org.uk/

03000 413000

iask@kent.gov.uk

• IPSEA -Independent Provider of Special Education Advice, free independent legally based information to help you get the right education for your child, including tribunals, reviews and support 

https://www.ipsea.org.uk/

office@ipsea.net

• Lighthouse on the Marsh

https://www.lighthouseonthemarsh.org/

Carers and Young carers support

• Carers UK -general carers support including benefits and advice forum

https://www.carersuk.org/  

• Carers support East Kent -for carers supporting someone over the age of 18

https://carersek.org.uk/ 

• Crossroads Care Kent -carer wellbeing, young carers, carer cafes

https://www.crossroadskent.org/

enquiries@crossroadskent.org

03450 956 701

• Imago Young carers

https://www.imago.community/Children-and-Young-People/Kent-Young-Carers

03001111110

Emergency Disability contact/card

• National carers and disability card Photo ID for disabled person, and carers  (small charge for card)
• Kent and Medway carers emergency card -carers identification and emergency details

www.carersek.org.uk.

Disability Clubs

• Riding for the disabled https://rda.org.uk/  
• Inclusive sports https://inclusive-sport.class4kids.co.uk/
• Active Kent and Medway https://kent.sportsuite.co.uk/a-z/disability-sport  
• The Essential Theatre Company https://www.theesentialtheatrecompany.com/
• Folkestone Arrows     -Wheelchair basketball https://www.facebook.com/groups/171336856992077/
• Imago Short Breaks – support for young people with disabilities – groups etc.

https://www.imago.community/Children-and-Young-People/Short-Breaks-Service

030001111110

Support for single adult families

• Gingerbread

https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/

0808 802 0925

Addiction / Self Harm

• Forward Trust -over 18’s

https://www.forwardtrust.org.uk/support-type/drug-alcohol-support/

• We are with you -Under 18’s

https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/

Debts

• Step Change -Debt charity

https://www.stepchange.org/debt-advice-start.aspx

• CAP -Christians against poverty

https://capuk.org/

Cost of living support

• Pneuma church – free clothes, second-hand furniture, CAP support, food parcels, community support, volunteering

https://www.pneumachurch.uk/

• Ashford bough council – financial help, broadband social tariffs, homelessness, energy advice, accessing government support, accessing free school meals

https://www.ashford.gov.uk/cost-of-living-help/

• RSPCA -support with pet food banks, help with Vet bills and advice.

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/costofliving

TEL: 03001230650

Healthy Lifestyles

• Kent Health walks

https://www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/walkfinder/east-kent-health-walks

• One You Health walks

https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/service/one-you-kent/one-you-health-walks/

Support after a crime

• Victim support – support for anyone that has been a victim of crime

https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/

support line: 08 08 16 89 111

• Napac -support recovering from childhood abuse

www.napac.org.uk   

Email: support@napac.org.uk

Support line 0808 801 0331

• Family Matters- support for victims of sexual assault, rape and sexual abuse

https://www.familymattersuk.org/

01474 536661

• East Kent Rape crisis - A charity staffed by trained individuals, offering support for survivors of sexual violence and coercion of any age or gender.

01227 451753

https://www.ekrcc.org.uk/   

 

LGBTQ+ support

• The Be you project -Local groups available

https://thebeyouproject.co.uk/

email: beyou@porchlight.org.uk.

• LGBT+ Switchboard -confidential call/chat for support or questions

0800 0119100

https://switchboard.lgbt

• Chat -free counselling for LGBT+ supports young people 11-25 years old.  -time to explore things that may be troubling you, a safe online space to chat to professionals

fred@metrocharity.org.uk

020 8305 5009

Suicide Prevention support

• Papyrus

https://www.papyrus-uk.org/

Helpline: 08000684141

Text:07860039967

Careers/training support

• Careers guidance

https://www.cxk.org/services/career-guidance-young-people/

• Finding an Apprenticeship

https://www.kenttrainingandapprenticeships.co.uk/

https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch

• Support after finishing A-Levels/BTEC’s/T-Levels

https://www.ucas.com/what-are-my-options

• Jobcentre plus

https://www.jobcentrejobs.co.uk/jobcentre/ashford-jobcentre/

0845 6043719

• CXK -NEET mentoring, training programmes

https://www.cxk.org/

• Prince’s trust – work with young people to help improve confidence and gaining employment

https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/

Education courses

• Adult education -free courses for families

https://www.kentadulteducation.co.uk/course-areas/family-courses/parenting/

Cancer support

• Macmillan Cancer support – Support for individuals, carers and families

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/

Tel: 0808 808 0000

• Kent Cancer Trust - Cancer support group meetings

https://www.kentcancertrust.org.uk/

 

Grants/Funding

• Turn to us -Can support with getting various items for families.

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/

• KCC Kent together- Household support fund, Kent support and assistance service (KSAS)-food or energy in a crisis, support to reduce energy costs, benefits checker

https://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/cost-of-living-support

• Family Fund – can apply yearly for items, holiday grants etc. – family’s need to be in receipt of Child DLA (Other criteria also apply)

https://www.familyfund.org.uk/

• CEA Cinema card –For a small yearly charge (currently £6) a carer can accompany you to the cinema for free – person with the disability needs to be over 8

www.ceacard.co.uk/

SGO Grand-parent’ support 

• Kinship -website

https://kinship.org.uk/

• Family Action Special Guardianship Support Service.

www.specialguardiansupport.org.uk

Your login details to access the website are:

Username: KentSGO

Password: KentSGO2020$

(password and user name are case sensitive)

The helpline number is: 0808 802 1111.- The operators will be available Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm

Text: 07537 404 281

E-mail: sg.support@family-action.org.uk

Support for Adults

• Wellbeing matters Plus -Imago support for people over 55 and adults with complex health needs

https://www.imago.community/Adult-Support/Wellbeing-Matters-Plus

 

Domestic abuse support

• Paladin – National Stalking advocacy service

https://www.paladinservice.co.uk/

02038664107

• Rising sun -IDVA’s, freedom programme, All about me (for children 4-10, adolescent mentoring) (11-16)

http://www.risingsunkent.com/

Phone: 01227 452852

Email: admin@risingsunkent.com

• One Stop (is running in person) -. Every Tuesday 9.30am – 12.30pm. The Willow Centre, 24 Brookfield Rd, Ashford TN23 4EY. No appointment needed.

Agencies present -Town Council; Specialist Domestic Violence Services; the Police; Health, Housing, Drug, and Alcohol Support; Legal Advisors, and various other support organisations.

• Ashford domestic abuse support

https://www.ashford.gov.uk/your-community/community-safety/domestic-abuse/

• Dad’s unlimited – can support around separation and domestic abuse.

https://www.dadsunltd.org.uk/

email: support@dadsunltd.org.uk        

call: 01233 680150