Additional food aid and advice services in Medway
On this page:
Free food options
Please feel free to download our FREE FOOD SUPPORT SHEET HERE
This sheet outlines other free food support independent from Medway Foodbank, available across Medway each week. PLEASE NOTE: WE MAY NOT ALWAYS KEEP UP WITH THE CHANGES TO THIS INFORMATION. Checkout social media or websites of relevant organisations where possible for up-to-date information.
- If you are on Facebook you can follow the group Kent Community Helpers (previously called Free Food in Kent and Medway).
- Brompton Community Store, 6A High St Brompton has free food available Monday – Friday 9.30am – 3pm. You may wish to call first: 01634 844711.
Claiming benefits
Universal Credit helpline: 0800 328 5644, www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-to-claim
Universal Credit - information on deductions: www.gov.uk/guidance/find-out-about-money-taken-off-your-universal-credit-payment
All benefits: www.gov.uk/browse/benefits
DWP contact number: 0800 7310469
MVA: www.mva.org.uk/financial-capability
Employment & Support Allowance: www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance
Healthy Start - If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk. www.healthystart.nhs.uk
Debt advice
Step Change: 0800 138 1111, www.stepchange.org
Citizens Advice Bureau: Kingsley House, Balmoral Road, Gillingham. 01634 383760, www.medwayadvice.org.uk
Christians Against Poverty (CAP at Cornerstone City Church): 0800 3280006, capuk.org/i-want-help/our-services/cap-debt-help/introduction
Housing
Housing Advice Medway Council: www.medway.gov.uk/info/200134/housing
AMAT: 0800 6981000 (24 hour), services@amatuk.org
MHS homes: Medway 01634 565333, www.mhs.org.uk
Shelter (free helpline): 0808 8004444
NIRVANA Care and Support Hub - Supporting young people with special needs to live independently: 01634 404441
Physical health
Your local pharmacy
Your GP
NHS 111: Call 111 for free from a landline or mobile phone 24hrs a day, every day of the year
Medway Community Healthcare: 0300 123 34444, www.medwaycommunityhealthcare.nhs.uk
Mental health
Mind North Kent: 01322 291380, www.northkentmind.co.uk
Medway Talking Therapies: 0300 209 3000
Samaritans: Call 116 123 for free or 03300945717
MEGAN: 01634 402077, www.megancic.org.uk
Release the Pressure: 0800 1070160 Mental Health Matters
Domestic abuse
Victim Support: 0808 1689111, www.victimsupport.org.uk
National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247, www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
Hourglass (Safer ageing – Stopping abuse): 0808 808 8141, www.wearehourglass.org
Childline: 0800 1111, www.childline.org.uk
NSPCC: 0808 800 5000, www.nspcc.org.uk
MDAS - Medway Domestic Abuse Service: 0800 917948, www.choicesdaservice.org.uk/mdas
Addiction
Alcoholics Anonymous: 0800 9177650, help@aamail.org
Narcotics Anonymous: 0300 999 1212, www.ukna.org
Cocaine Anonymous: 0800 612 0225, www.cocaineanonymous.org.uk
Gamblers Anonymous: 0330 094 0322, www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
Medway Turning Point: 0300 1231560, medwayreferrals@turning-point.co.uk
KMPT Drugs and Alcohol: www.kmpt.nhs.uk
Help for families:
Medway Children & Family Hubs: www.medway.gov.uk/familyhubs
Chatham Children and Family Hub: 01634 338833
Gillingham Children and Family Hub: 01634 338877
Strood Children and Family Hub: 01634 335533
Wayfield & Rainham Children and Family Hub: 01634 337733
Medway Family Information Service: admissions.medway.gov.uk/Synergy/fisd_welcome.aspx
Home-start Medway - volunteer support for those with a child under 5: 01634 570717, home-startmedway.org.uk/
Other:
Age UK for later life: 0800 678 1602, www.ageuk.org.uk