Youth organisations across Medway offer various support services for young people aged 8 to 25 years old.
View other youth support services in Medway below:
The Childhood Bereavement Network shares the vision that all children and young people in the UK, together with their caregivers, can easily get a choice of high quality local and national information, guidance and support, to help them to manage the impact of death on their lives.
They can provide you with information on how to cope with any emotions you may feel associated with the death of a loved one.
Find out more
Website The Childhood Bereavement Network
Email: cbn@ncb.org.uk
Social media: @CBNtweets
Address: National Children’s Bureau, 23 Mentmore Terrace, London E8 3PN
Holding On Letting Go is a charity that helps young people (ages 6 to 16) to cope with the death of someone close to them. Support is offered to children, young people, parents and carers through bereavement support weekends.
These weekends are free to attend. They are staffed by trained volunteers. Children are encouraged to share their feelings as well as ask questions and learn strategies to help them deal with difficult emotions.
Find out more
Website Holding On Letting Go
Phone: 03445 611 511
Email: info@holg.org.uk
Social media: Holding on Letting Go Facebook
Me2 is a peer mentoring programme for young people aged 10-19 with additional needs and disabilities. With the support of a volunteer mentor, mentees can engage in with the programme in a variety of ways, over video calls, at an activity like bowling, or by attending a youth club. It is a fantastic opportunity for both mentees and mentors to meet new people and try something new.
Find out more
Website: The My Trust Email: amber.edwards@themytrust.org
Frank aims to provide honest information about drugs and alcohol. Frank also provides advice on topics such as dealing with peer pressure.
Get support from Frank by phone, text or online live chat.
Find out more
Website: Talk to Frank
Phone: 0300 123 6600
Text: 82111
Business hours:
- Phone and text 24 hours a day 7 days a week
- Live Chat 2pm to 6pm 7 days a week.
GamCare offer you the opportunity to talk over the phone or over chat with an adviser about problem gambling.
They provide free, non-judgemental advice to help you with any problems you may face with gambling.
If you’re not sure that you’re ready to talk to someone, you can take a quick and easy test to see how safe your gambling is.
You can also use the free self-help resources. Or join the forum where you can share support, advice and ideas with others who are struggling.
Find out more
Website: GamCare
Phone: 0808 8020 133
Social media: @GamCare Twitter, GamCare Facebook
Business hours: 24 hours a day 7 days a week
Region: national
Open Road is a drug and alcohol recovery support charity. It provides services to support individuals on their recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.
They have a specialised Young People Service who provide honest information about how drugs and alcohol work, what the risks are and how to reduce those risks. You do not have to want to stop using to start working with them.
They can also help if you are worried about a friend or a family member and their drink and drug use.
They also have days out including Go-Ape, paintballing, the zoo, and activities such as trampolining and bowling.
Find out more
Website: Open Road
Phone: 01634 471 700
Email: wellbeing-recovery@openroad.org.uk
Social media: Open Road Facebook, Open Road Instagram, Open Road Twitter
Address: 95 - 97 High Street, Chatham, ME4 4DL
Region: Medway and Essex
Bemix is an organisation that aims to make sure we live in a world where every single person is valued.
Bemix provides group projects and internships to ensure that people with and without learning difficulties or autism are working and learning together.
Their group projects allow people of any ability or background to develop their skills and make friends.
Their supported internships are year-long programmes aimed at people aged 17 to 24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Find out more
Website: Bemix
Phone: 01227 374 285
Email: info@bemix.org
Social media: @bemixUK Twitter, Bemix UK Facebook, Bemix Instagram
Region: Medway
The Be Yourself programme is a free personal development programme for young people aged 16 and 21, and up to 25 with additional needs.
There are a variety of different programmes including Be Active, Be Creative, Be Independent, Be Ready and Be Skilled.
The programs range from 4 weeks to 10 weeks. They include activities such as boxing, parkour, music production, photography, learning how to cook on a budget, self-development and employability skills as well as the opportunity to gain a first aid and food hygiene certificate.
Find out more
Website: Be Yourself programme
Contact: beyourself@medway.gov.uk
Social media: Medway Youth Instagram, Medway Youth Facebook
Region: Medway
The Big Youth Group aims to create work-life experiences and improve the odds for young people in the United Kingdom.
The Big Youth Group helps to connect young people to small, medium and big businesses helping them to get support along their career journey.
They start with advice and mentorship, and evolve to work experience, apprenticeships and ultimately full-time employment.
Find out more
Website: Big Youth Group
Social media: Big Youth Group Facebook
Region: Medway
Forward2Employment is an organisation which provides supported internships for students aged 16 – 24 who have an EHCP. We firmly believe that every young person in Medway deserves to be given the opportunity to fulfil their potential and have a place within the community.
Supported Internships are a year-long programme that help young people with a special educational need or disability to gain meaningful employment. The young person is helped for the year by their job coach.
Website: Forward2Employment
Social media: Forward2Employment Facebook Forward2Employment Instagram Forward2Employment Twitter
The Information, advice and guidance (IAG) service helps young people to get a form of further education. This could be at school, college, or work.
They support 16 and 17 year olds in Medway who are not in education, employment or training. The support includes career advice, job search and application help, CV and interview skills, help applying for an apprenticeship, college or sixth form and help finding a training course.
They can also help you plan your career goals and to find the right opportunity for you.
Find out more
Website: Information, advice and guidance
Phone: 01634 335 599
Email: iag@medway.gov.uk
Social media: @IAGMedway Twitter, IAGMedway Facebook, IAGMedway Instagram
Region: Medway
The Prince’s Trust offers a range of different programmes designed to support 11-30 year olds into education, training and/or employment. They work with delivery partners across the UK to offer hundreds of free courses, grants and mentoring opportunities to inspire young people to build their confidence and start a career.
Find out more
Website: The Princes Trust
Social media: The Princes Trust Facebook, The Princes Trust Twitter, The Princes Trust Instagram
Contact: 0800 842 842
Region: National
Run by Medway Council, Kent Supported Employment provide tailored support to young people with learning disabilities or autism, over the age of 16.
Support is offered whilst finding paid employment, work placements, supported apprenticeships and volunteering opportunities which will lead to employment.
They will help you find your strengths and find a suitable job, work placement or apprenticeship which will meet your needs. Once you’ve found a suitable placement, support will be offered to help you adapt to your new working environment.
Contact number: 03000 410 781
The Family Information Service is a directory full of accurate and up-to-date information, advice and guidance on services, facilities or publications to help parents and carers of children and young people.
They provide childcare and brokerage services, support, leisure activities and more. There is a searchable online directory to find and use a range of resources and services in the area.
Find out more
Website: Family Information Service Medway
Phone: 01634 332 195
Email: familyinfo@medway.gov.uk
Region: Medway
The Medway Parents and Carers Forum is a group that helps to bring parents, families and carers of children and young people with a variety of additional needs together, and to have a voice within Medway.
It was created to help parents and carers of disabled children to have a say in the way services are shaped and delivered in the Medway area, in education, social care and health.
They have a coffee morning once a month in term time to have a chat about ongoing issues. There is no charge for their service and no commitment, except receiving occasional communications about what is happening in the local area.
Find out more
Website: Medway Parents and Carers Forum
Phone: 01634 333 315 (term time mornings only) or 07813 123 984
Email: medwaypcf@googlemail.com
Social media: Medway PCF Facebook
Region: Medway
Medway SENDIAS provides free and impartial help for parents or carers, children and young people. They can help you to express your views, wishes. They can also help to support you at meetings with schools and the local authority as well as help you to complete special educational needs and disability (SEND) related paperwork.
Support is available for young people up to 25. They can also signpost you to other support services that may be able to help you better.
Find out more
Website: Medway SENDIAS
Phone: 01634 566 303
Email: medwaysendias@family-action.org.uk
Region: Medway
Business hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
The Medway Young Carer Projects helps to support young people aged 5 to 18 who are in a caring role.
They provide the support and the opportunity to have a break from your caring role, as well as the chance to meet others who are in a similar position to you.
You will have the opportunity to talk about your caring role to others, attend lunch clubs, 1 to 1 sessions, trips out, youth clubs, fun activities and a texting service.
Find out more
Website: Carers FIRST Medway
Phone: 0800 0113 474
Email: info@carersfirst.org.uk
Social media: Carers FIRST Instagram, Carers FIRST Twitter
Region: Medway
Address: Michael Gill Building, Tolgate Lane, Strood, Rochester, ME2 4TG
4CSR specialise in supporting young people with a learning disability, challenging behaviour, mental health issues, and physical disabilities, victims of domestic abuse, care leavers and young offenders.
They aim to give you the skills and ability to achieve independence on your own terms.
In addition, 4CSR can support you with housing. They have a range of properties to support you including 4 bed shared properties with onsite support or 1 bed standalone properties.
Find out more
Phone: 01634 404 441
Email: referrals@4csr.org.uk
Address: 4CRS Services Ltd, 83 High Street, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4EE
Region: Medway
Medway Council provide a range of advice for people who may be facing different kinds of housing issues including for those who are at risk of homelessness, help for rough sleepers and those who may be experiencing domestic abuse and need to leave their home immediately.
Find out more
Website: Medway Council
The BeYou project helps to connect young people in Kent who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary or are questioning their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
It is a safe, welcoming and non-judgemental space where people can meet, socialise, have fun and help and support each other.
Find out more
Website: BeYou project
Email: beyou@porchlight.org.uk
Region: Kent
Metro works collaboratively with staff, volunteers, users, partners and supporters to make a difference to people’s lives.
They promote health and wellbeing through services to anyone who needs advice or is experiencing issues with their sexuality, gender, equality, diversity and identity.
Find out more
Website: Metro
Phone: 0208 305 5000
Email: hello@metrocharity.org.uk
Social media: Metro Twitter, Metro Facebook, Metro Instagram
Region: Kent and London
The hygiene bank Rochester accepts donations of new and unused sanitary products to support local community projects. These local projects will then distribute to organisations, services and charities working to support families and individuals in need.
Find out more
Website: The Hygiene Bank
Social media: The Hygiene Bank Facebook, The Hygiene Bank Twitter,
Email: thbrochester@gmail.com
Region: National
The Medway Foodbank offers nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people.
Find out more
Website: Medway Foodbank
Email: info@medway.foodbank.org.uk
Phone: 01634 757057
Region: National
Alumina is an online 6 week course for young people who are struggling with self-harm.
It is free and you will be emailed a link each week for a session. These will usually be in the evening and the link will take you to a chat room where you will be able to see and hear the session leaders but they will not be able to see or hear you.
There will be 2 to 6 people in a session at a time with two session leaders, one of whom will be a trained counsellor. You will also receive 1 to 1 email support and online peer support.
Find out more
Website: Alumina
Region: national
Beat is the UK’s leading charity that helps to support people who are affected by eating disorders.
Their website has a wide range of information on different eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and other eating and feeding problems.
They have lots of information on how to cope and recovery. As well as this they have information on how to support someone who is going experiencing an eating disorder. They have helplines as well as one-to-one web chats if you feel more comfortable with that.
Find out more
Website: Beat
Phone:
- Helpline: 0808 801 067
- Youthline: 0808 801 0711
- Studentline: 0808 801 0811
Email: help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Social media: @beatED Twitter, Beat Facebook, Beat Instagram
Address: Beat, Unit 1 Chalk Hill House, 19 Rosary Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 1SZ
Opening hours: Helplines are open 365 days a year from 12noon to 8pm during the week and 4pm to 8pm on weekends and bank holidays.
CAMHS Resources provides downloadable resources, links to websites, apps, videos and books that provide young people with the information needed to support their mental health and wellbeing.
More information
Website: CAMHS Resources
Childline provides both online and over the phone advice and information for children and young people up to the age of 18.
The helpline team provide advice, support and counselling no matter the problem. They can also refer young people to other services if this is needed.
The website also has many other resources and games to allow young people to cope and manage with their feelings.
Find out more
Website: Childline
Phone: 0800 11 11
Social media: Childline Instagram
Opening hours: 9am to midnight
Region: national
Choices Domestic Abuse Service provide advice to young people who may be experiencing domestic abuse themselves, or may be seeing it happen to their mum, dad, grandparents, guardian or carer. They also offer advice if you’re experiencing abuse in a new relationship and can sign post you to other services which can help as well.
They also offer multiple programmes including PATHways which help young people who are on the verge of the criminal justice system as having suffered exposure to long term domestic abuse.
Guiding Lights is a targeted programme for young females at risk of exploitation. Loves Me Loves Me Not is a whole class preventative programme for young people aged 11 to 16 which help to educate young people on healthy relationships, positive and negative communication styles and helps to build self-confidence.
Email: choices.youngpeople@choicesdaservice.org.uk
Website: Choices
Youth workers are there to help young people aged 10 to 25 when they come into hospital because of self-harm, a suicide attempt or because of an emotional crisis.
They are not there to take the place of any NHS service, but they can offer their time and emotional support while young people are in hospital and after they leave.
Find out more
Website: Emerge
Phone: 07983 136 215
Email: info@emergeadvocacy.com
Address: Medway Maritime Hospital
Region: Medway
Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday: 7pm to 11pm
Good Thinking provides online resources to help with your mental health. The website breaks down advice for children and young people.
Find out more
Website: Good Thinking
Region: national
Kent and Medway Safe Havens offers out of hours mental health support for anyone aged 16+ if you are feeling distressed, frightened and overwhelmed.
The service is open from 6pm to 11pm including weekends and bank holidays.
Find out more
Call: 07850 901 151 or 07808 795 036
Email: Medway.mhm@nhs.net
Kooth is an online mental health community giving free and confidential advice. The website also gives access to articles and a discussion board.
There is the opportunity to chat with their helpful team about anything that is on their mind. It also provides a safe space to journal and track feelings.
The service is anonymous unless you choose to provide your personal information.
Find out more
Website: Kooth
Social media: Kooth Instagram
Region: national
Opening hours:
- Weekdays: 12noon to 10pm
- Weekends: 6pm to 10pm.
The Medway Young Persons’ Wellbeing Service provides mental health advice and support for young people, and their families, across the Medway area. They provide services for people aged 0 to 18, up until their 19th birthday. It also gives support for young people up to the age of 25 who have special educational needs.
They can provide support for those experiencing stress, a low mood, depression, anxiety, self-harm or finding it too difficult to manage behaviours, as well as support for difficulties such as ADHD and ASD.
Find out more
Website: Medway Young Persons Wellbeing service
Phone: 0800 011 3474
Region: Medway
Shout is a free 24 hours a day 7 days a week text service that provides support and help for anyone in crisis at any time.
Text SHOUT to 85258 to be put in touch with a trained crisis volunteer who will chat to you via text.
The service aims to help you think more clearly and helps you to take their next steps to feeling better.
Find out more
Website: Shout
Text: SHOUT to 85258
Email: info@giveusashout.org
Social media: Shout Twitter, Shout Instagram
Region: national
CALM runs a free and confidential helpline and web chat 7 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone who needs to talk through any problems.
They aim to reduce the rates of suicide by providing a listening ear.
As well as helping people who are going through crisis, they also help to support those who are bereaved by suicide.
They also provide resources and advice regarding specific issues and concerns you may have, as well as other organisations who may be able to provide you with additional help.
Find out more
Website: The Calm Zone
Phone: 0800 58 58 58
Region: national
Opening hours: Every day 5pm to midnight
Young Minds is an organisation that aims to ensure all young people get the best possible support for their mental health and to ensure that young people have the resilience to overcome life’s challenges.
They provide advice on specific mental health issues, as well as any difficulties young people may be facing such as bullying or abuse.
The Young Minds crisis messenger provides 24/7 crisis support across the UK. All texts are free and are answered by trained volunteers.
Find out more
Website: Young Minds
Text: YM to 85258
Social media: @YoungMindsUK Twitter, Young Minds Facebook, Young Minds Instagram
Breaking Barriers is a programme that combines rowing and mentoring support for young people, to help them achieve their further education and career goals.
Through their programme you can expect to increase your confidence, self-control, commitment and your ability to cope with challenges. You'll also gain a new skill and learn how to row.
Find out more
Website: Breaking Barriers
Phone: 0203 356 7178
Email: ecoe@londonyouthrowing.com
Social media: @LYRowing Twitter, London Youth Rowing Facebook, London Youth Rowing Instagram
Region: Kent and London
Choices Domestic Abuse Service provide advice to young people who may be experiencing domestic abuse themselves, or may be seeing it happen to their mum, dad, grandparents, guardian or carer.
They also offer advice if you’re experiencing abuse in a new relationship and can sign post you to other services which can help as well. In addition to this, they also offer multiple programmes including PATHways which help young people who are on the verge of the criminal justice system as having suffered exposure to long term domestic abuse.
Guiding Lights is a targeted programme for young females at risk of exploitation. Loves Me Loves Me Not is a whole class preventative programme for young people aged 11 to 16 which help to educate young people on healthy relationships, positive and negative communication styles and helps to build self-confidence.
Website: Choices Domestic Abuse Service
The Centre for Independent Living Kent is an organisation, run, controlled and managed by disabled people, to support disabled people.
They aim to support you to have choice and control and live independently. They provide peer support, advocacy, disability equality training and information about independent living.
Find out more
Phone: 01233 633 187
Email: enquiries@cilk.org.uk
Social media: @cilkent Twitter, Centre for Independent Living Kent Facebook
Address: The 123 Centre, 123 County Square, Elwick Road, Ashford, Kent, TN23 1AE
Region: Kent and Medway
Opening hours:
- Phone enquiries: Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm
- Drop in: Tuesday, 10am to 3pm
Strengthening Minds aim to help young people grow through their list of personal development programmes.
They offer fully comprehensive programmes with full, year-round support and frequently updated resources.
Find out more
Website: Strengthening minds
Phone: 07539 309 425
Email: stevedaniels@strengtheningminds.co.uk
Social media: @StrMinds Twitter, StrMinds Facebook
Region: national
Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.
If you feel like you have experienced cybercrime or are involved with people committing cybercrime, you can report it through the website.
The website also has information on what fraud is and how to protect yourself.
Find out more
Website: Action Fraud
Phone: 0300 123 2040
Region: national
Fearless is an online organisation that provides non-judgemental information and advice on crime and criminality.
It is 100% anonymous and so provides a safe place where you can also provide them with information about crime.
There are 15 outreach workers who also deliver workshops to young people across the country.
Find out more
Website: Fearless in Kent
Email: fearless@crimestoppers-uk.org
Region: national
Opening hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Thinkuknow is an organisation that aims to protect children both online and offline.
They provide targeted advice on how to stay safe when using the internet.
Find out more
Website: Thinkuknow
Region: national
Brook is a charity that aims to break the societal stigma that limits young people’s ability to take control of their sexual health, enjoy healthy relationships and explore their identities.
They are committed to changing attitudes, challenging prejudices and championing equality so that all young people can lead happy, healthy lives.
Brook provides clinical services, digital support, tailored counselling and relationship and sex education.
Their online advice covers topics such as contraception, body image, healthy relationships and how to stay safe online.
The clinical services they provide include sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment, sexual assault centres, teen parent support, gender identity support and abortion referrals.
Find out more
Website: Brook
Social media: @BrookCharity Twitter, Brook Instagram, Brook Facebook
Region: national
Clover Street is the Medway sexual health hub that provides services including:
- chlamydia and gonorrhoea screening
- contraception
- condoms.
Find out more
Website: Clover Street
Phone: 0300 123 1678
Address: 4 Clover Street, Chatham, Kent ME4 4DT
Region: Medway
Opening hours: weekdays, 9am to 5pm.
Disrespect NoBody is campaign to spread awareness on abusive relationships.
Their webpage provides information on what physical, emotional and sexual abuse can look like in relationships, and suggest organisations that can help if you find yourself in an abusive relationship.
They also provide information on things like sexting and consent.
Find out more
Website: Disrespect NoBody
Region: national
Get It is a scheme providing free chlamydia and gonorrhoea tests as well as free condoms.
You order these on their website and then you pick them up from local pick up points (normally local pharmacies).
Find out more
Website: Get It
Region: Kent
MDAS is a specialist domestic abuse services for Medway that recognises that the damage and problems caused by domestic abuse goes beyond the abuse itself.
They offer and advice and information helpline, one-to-one support to help keep victims safe, to recover and move on, specialist group support programmes and specialist support to families affected by domestic abuse.
They also work with other agencies in housing, health, police and services for children and others to best suit victims’ needs.
Find out more
Website: Medway Domestic Abuse Service
Phone: 0800 917 9948
Email: info@choicesdaservice.org.uk
Address: Sunlight Centre, 105 Richmond Road, Gillingham, ME17 1LX
Region: Medway