Additional food aid and advice services in Medway
On this page:
Free food options
- If you are on Facebook you can follow the group Kent Community Helpers (previously called Free Food in Kent and Medway)
- If you are in the Gillingham area, Gillingham Street Angels at 43 Skinner St usually have free food available Monday-Saturday 9am – 1pm: info@thestreet-angels.org.uk, 01634 855608 or 07437 657982
- 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