Deliver a professional counselling service for trauma and loss to improve emotional well being and reduce mental health issues. This service is free and usually lasts for 6 weeks. We receive referrals from medical staff, other charities and also take self referrals.
01622 735230
Step and Learn is a charity/support group that runs a groups to assist the physical and education improvements for children with cerebral palsy and motor disorders.
How to Access this Service:-
Tuesday to Friday – 0-5 Years Saturday club 5-11 Years at 37 Frindsbury Road, Strood, Kent, ME2 4JA. You can join the group by Self-Referral by calling 01634 787 951.
e: info@stepandlearn.org w: http://www.stepandlearn.org/ourservices/conductive-education/
Hydrotherapy pool sessions
Open physical therapy swimming for those with disability Monday and Friday 8.30am to 11am
How to access this service:
Strood Sports Centre
Watling Street
Rochester ME2 3JQ
www.medway.gov.uk/leisurecultureandsport/sportscentres/stroodsportscentre.aspx
DFSG Family (The Duchenne Family Support Group) is a local support group/charity ran by families of children with muscular dystrophy. It helps educate and support families by allowing them to share their experiences and it holds events to bring people together. The group is based in Kent and some events do have a fee.
How to Access this Service:-
Muscular Dystrophy UK
61A Great Suffolk Street
London
SE1 0BU
020 7803 4800
Email: info@musculardystrophyuk.org
Baby Basics
Baby Basics is a volunteer-led project aiming to support new mothers and families who are struggling to meet the financial and practical burden of looking after a new baby.
Baby Basics provides much needed essentials and equipment to mothers and families who are unable to provide these items for themselves; including but not limited to teenage mums, people seeking asylum and women fleeing domestic abuse and trafficking.
Working with midwives, health visitors and other professional groups to provide support directly where it is most needed, Baby Basics volunteers lovingly collect, sort and package a ‘Moses Basket’ of clothing, toiletries and essential baby equipment as an attractive gift to new mothers.
t: 0114 2507700
Magic Coffee Mornings
Relax. Unwind. Learn. An informal opportunity to come and meet us for a coffee and we often arrange guest specialist speakers. Try it! The MAGIC Coffee Morning is for parents and carers whose children are affected by Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
Come and join us for a friendly chat with others parents and staff, and on occasion professionals, as this can help to make your day more manageable as well as offers the chance to make new friends with who you can discuss your worries and problems with to the help alleviate any concerns that may have. The coffee morning is also the ideal first place to come for those of you thinking of becoming a new members, as well as a hot drink.
Children are also welcome to attend this event.
Coffee Morning take place every Friday, from 9:30am until 11:30am.
For more information, or to pop along and join us, contact us:
Tel 01634 570706
Email us admin@medway-magic.org
Ataxia
Are the leading national charity in the UK for people affected by any type of ataxia. They fund research into finding treatments and cures, and offer advice, information and support to people affected by the condition.
Our values
- We ensure that everything we do has the needs of people living with ataxia at its centre
- We seek to empower people living with ataxia
- We value everyone who contributes to our work
- We encourage and expect the highest possible standards of work and conduct in everyone associated with Ataxia UK
Ataxia UK Helpline
t: 0845 644 0606
Rivermead Outreach Community Challenge (ROCC) offers respite activities for children and young people during the school holidays.
Initially the programme supported children and young people aged 11-18 who were diagnosed with ASD. However, because of the success of the programme, and in response to feedback from families, they are now able to offer a primary provision too. ROCC Stars was born.
What’s on offer:
- A holiday club for children aged five to adult
- Six hour respite care for families during the school holidays
- A range of appropriately stimulating and diverse activities that will engage, challenge and support progress
- An opportunity for children and young people to take ownership of their own experiences through group planning and evaluation
As well as ASD, they are also now able to support children with significant and multiple learning difficulties and those with limited to no verbal communication.
For more information on ROCC (aged 11 to adult) email: rocc@rivermeadinclusivetrust.org and for ROCCstars (5-11 years) email: roccstars@rivermeadinclusivetrust.org
Stay in touch with like-minded parents
Many parents have told us having autistic children can sometimes feel like you are on your own. Our online community is a great way to contact some of the 150,000 families with autistic children in the UK. You can hear their stories, share yours and keep up-to-date on all the latest news, developments and legislation.
http://community.autism.org.uk
www.twitter.com/Autism
www.facebook.com/NationalAutisticSociety
Join Chris Packham and our 23,000 members
The National Autistic Society was set up in 1962 by a group of parents, including Lorna Wing who coined the term 'the autistic spectrum'. Since then, our membership has grown to 23,000 and, as well as belonging to the UK's leading charity for autistic people, members receive:
- our quarterly Your Autism Magazine
- free member events across the UK and discounts to the Autism Shows in London, Birmingham and Manchester.
- an invitation to our Annual General Meeting where you can help shape the future direction of the charity.
Become a member today at www.autism.org.uk/membership
Autism-friendly performances and All Aboard at Thomas Land
In cooperation with many theatres and cinemas around the country, we put on autism-friendly shows and viewings. Shows have included The Lion King, Harry Potter and The Cursed Child and Aladdin. Every September, we also run a fun day at Thomas Land for autistic children and their families.
"What families want is good practical information and support that meets their needs. I started the CBF in 1997 because that wasn't my experience or the experience or the huge amount of knowledge and expertise available - the CBF is helping to make sure it gets to those who need it - so that children and adults whose behavior is described as challenging can have better lives".
Viv Cooper OBE, founder of the Challenging Behaviour Foundation
Address:
The Old Courthouse
New Road Avenue
Chatham
Kent
ME4 6BE
e: info@thecbf.org.uk
t: 01634 838 739
Family Support Line: 0300 666 0126
Advice for passengers or their carers with hidden disabilities travelling through Gatwick.
Airport journeys can be stressfull for many people, especially if you are unsure of what to expect on the day. Here you can find advice to help parents and carers who are travelling with children and vulnerable adults whose difficulties may not be immediately apparent to our staff.
Sometimes visiting an airport in advance of your trip can help, especially with young children. While we do offer specific tours, if you visit Gatwick, you will be able to familiarise yourselves with the airport layout and check-in areas.
Hidden disability lanyard
We are working with a number of charities to identify how we can improve the airport experience for our vulnerable passengers who may not want to share details of their hidden disabilities.
If this applies to you or someone you're travelling with, we can offer you a special lanyard to wear on your journey through our airport. If you are wearing the lanyard, staff should recognise it and understand that you have a hidden disability and that you may need a little extra help or time. However, they will not know what your particular disability is, or what challenges and issues you may face. If you have specific requirements, please ask a member of staff for help.
To pick up a lanyard at Gatwick, please go to one of our Assistance Reception areas. We will be happy to give you a lanyard, even if you haven't requested or need special assistance.
For more information, please email us at: HiddenDisability@gatwickairport.com
Autistic spectrum disorder
The National Autistic Society has some helpful advice on what to do if you're travelling with children or adults with autism. We also produce an autism friendly visual guide to travelling through Gatwick Airport which will help familiarise you with what to expect at the airport in advance of your holiday.
Young people with ADHD
Children and young people with ADHD are very susceptible to anxiety and find any change to their normal daily routine potentially stressful. We recommend that you take time to prepare your child for the journey in advance and bring lots of activities to keep them busy at the airport and on the plane.
Short breaks are part of a continuum of services, which support children in need and their families. They include the provision of day, evening, overnight and weekend activities for the child or young person, and can take place in the child's own home, the home of an approved carer, or in a residential or community setting.
The breaks usually have two aims:
- To enable the child to participate in the fun, interesting and safe activities
- To provide a break from caring for the parents.
What is a direct payment?
A direct payment is an amount of money given directly to the parent of a disabled child, to enable the parent to purchase a short break.
How can I access a short break?
There are two routes to accessing a short break
Route 1 - Child and Family assessment
If you feel that you need support to maintain your caring role for disabled child, you can contact the Children's Advice Duty Service (CADS) to request a social worker to complete a Child and Family Assessment through the 0-25 Disability Team.
Route 2 - Short Breaks Self Assessment
If you would like support for your child to access a community short break using a direct payment, you can contact Self Directed Support Team (SDS) duty number on 01634 331351 and request a short break referral to the Short Break Team.
What happens if I request a short break from SDS.
Step 1 - a Short Breaks Coordinator will support you to complete the self assessment form to confirm your eligibility for a short break. This will be conducted over the telephone.
Step 2 - the Short Breaks Coordinator will discuss with you how you wish to achieve a short break for example:
- by employing a PA to support your child to access activities or assist with family outings.
- by purchasing a piece of equipment.
- by paying for a holiday club or other activity clubs.
- by covering the cost of volunteer expenses.
- by employing an agency to provide assistance in the home.
Step 3 - the Short Break Coordinator will share information with you about the types of services that are available locally.
Step 4 - the Short Breaks Coordinator will help you to develop a support plan that records how you will achieve a short break, the plan will also record any risks and how to minimise those risks.
Step 5 - the parent will be awarded an annual sum of money for a two year period. The short breaks payment will be paid directly onto the Medway Card.
Step 6 - parents can purchase the short break services or support that was specified in their short breaks plan.
Step 7 - the Short Break Coordinator will contact the family to review the direct payment and progress towards achieving the short breaks outcomes.
Useful contacts
- Children's Advice and Duty Service (CADS) 01634 334466
- Self Directed Support Team (SDS) 01634 331351
- 0-25 Disability Team 01634 338500
Senior Short Breaks and Self Directed Support Coordinator
- Cathy Harper - 01634 331092
- Email - catherine.harper@medway.gov.uk
Short Break Coordinators
- Jeanette Varnham - 01634 338526
- Email - jeanette.varnham@medway.gov.uk
- Emma Barton - 01634 331363
- Email - emma.barton@medway.gov.uk
- Rachel James - 01634 338540
- Email - rachel.james@medway.gov.uk
Medway Astham Self-Help (MASH) is a resource for asthma sufferers and their families. We provide information and advice to those who needs it, including health professionals.
MASH was formed in 1996 by a group of asthma sufferers and health professionals who wanted to improve asthma care in the community.
If you need to talk to people who know and understand asthma then get in touch.
Our doors are open to everyone and all our services are free.
MASH works with the Medway Clinical Commissioning Group, GPs, hospitals and Asthma UK to raise awareness and knowledge of asthma for the people of Medway.
Access to a specialist respiratory nurse...
Appointments may include:-
- Asthma information
- Help using inhalers
- Treatment advice
- Asthma allergy testing
- Self-management plan development
- Lung function test.
We may give you a letter about your assessment for your GP or practice nurse. The letter may recommend changes to your asthma treatment.
Asthma allergy testing
If you knew what triggered your asthma you could then take steps to avoid those triggers and enjoy a better quality of life.
MASH has a clinic to help asthma sufferers identify what particular allergens may trigger an attack.
Asimple skin prick test and assessment carried out by our specialist respiratory nurse could make all the difference.
It could help you manage your asthma, rather than let your asthma manage you.
Ring MASH on 01634 855844 to book an appointment and to speak to our co-ordinator.
Feeling low? Anxious? Stressed?
We can help.
We offer free, confidential talking therapies that can help with many different issues, including:
- Low mood and depression (including post-natal depression)
- Fears and phobias
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Worry and anxiety (including social anxiety)
- Panic attacks
- Trauma (including PTSD)
- Bereavement and loss
- Relationship difficulties
We also offer an Employment Advisory Service.
Refer yourself online, or contanct us directly to make an appointment:
0300 029 3000 (local rate)
*If you are currently being supported by another mental health professional, please call us to discuss your suitability for our service.
Are you feeling low, anxious, or stressed? Finding it hard to cope?
Everyone goes through difficult times, but sometimes our problems affect our day-to-day lives and we feel that we can't cope. If your are in this situation, you are not alone.
If you are aged 18+ and registered with a Medway GP, you are eligible for our free talking therapy service. We offer one-to-one sessions with a dedicated therapist at a time convenient to you. We offer face-to-face sessions at various GP surgeries and community venues, as well as therapy by phone or online in real-time, chatroom style. Alternatively, you might like to join one of our groups.
Contact us directly to refer yourself, or ask your GP to refer you.
0300 029 3000 (local rate)
medway@insighthealthcare.org
Our new Employment Advisory Service
Alongside therapy, we can also support you if:
- Work is making you stressed, anxious, or depressed.
- You're in work and struggling, or you are off on sick leave.
- You've been unemployed for a while and you are now ready to work, but don't know where to start
Our employment advisory service can help you to build on your strengths and achieve your goals.
This service is available to clients who have committed to therapy from Medway Talking Therapies.
Speak to your therapist if you would like support from our Employment Advisors.
Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service.
About the Medway SENDIAS Service
The SENDIAS service is here to empower parents/carers, children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities by
providing free impartial information, advice and support.
What can we offer?
- Free impartial and confidentia information, advice and support in relation to education, health and social care
- Support to express your views, wishes and feelings
- Support at meetings with schools and the Local Authority
- Help to complete SEND related paperwork
- Supporting young people aged 16 to 25 in their own right
- Signposting to other support services
How to access our service
As a parent, carer or young person you can:
Telephone or email our service directly for free impartial and confidential information, advice and support with any matters relating to Special Educational Needs or Disability within Education, Health or Social Care.
As a professional you can:
With the Parent/Carer and/or Young Persons consent make a referral to us either by telephone or email. We are also happy to offer other professionals advice and support in matters relating to SEND.
Contact us on our helpline:
01634 566303
or email us on medwaysendias@family-action.org.uk
Kent Wide Down syndrome is a local group for Downs children they hold regular events/activities for downs children all year round! They hold events all across Kent including the Medway and Swale area.
How to Access this Service:-
KWDSG
70, Mickleburgh Hill
Herne Bay
Kent
CT6 6DX
You can view the events calendar on their website.
w: http://www.kentwideds.org/events.htm
t: 07740 348908
Autism and sensory processing disorder
Kent Autistic Trust is based in Gillingham, they offers support and opportunities for children with Autism. They provide work placements, living opportunities, telephone support, social skills groups, and self-help groups.
How to Access this Service:-
01634 405168
Kent Autistic Trust
14 High Street
Brompton
Gillingham
ME7 5AE
Hydrotherapy sessions for ASD children, every Thursday
When: every Thursday
Where: Strood Sports Centre, Watling Street, Strood ME2 3JQ
Time: 4.30pm - 5.30pm
Cost: £3 per child - parent/carer goes free.
Places: 7 children places (7 places for adult) please telephone Strood Sports Centre to book or you can book online.
Book your place, using the link: https://apps.medway.gov.uk/leisurebookings/
You will need to log in as a guest in order to book or alternatively phone Strood Reception Team on 01634 333948
Hydrotherapy is recommended for children with ASD by our physiotherapist as this helps the child with physical exercise, can be calming and make friends and have fun.
Shout is the UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.
Shout is powered by a team of volunteers, who are at the heart of the service. We take people from crisis to calm every single day.
Shout exists in the US as ‘Crisis Text Line’, but this is the first time the tried and tested technology has come to the UK.
The anonymised data we collate gives us unique insights into mental health trends to help improve people’s lives.
Anxious? Worried? Stressed? Get 24/7 help from our team of Crisis Volunteers. Text 85258
Free confidential and open to everyone service, wide range of issues including Welfare Benefits, money and debt problems, housing, education and healthcare, family and personal issues are a few the staff cover. Telephone 01634 383760 email info@medwayadvice.org.uk
The NSPCC offers therapeutic support for children who have suffered abuse, support for parents/carers whose children have been abused. Contact tel 0808 800 5000 email help@nspcc.or.uk web site NSPCC.
Address: 68 West Street, Gillingham ME7 1EF
Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm