Parenting support fund

After the publication of our Parenting Support Strategy, local charitable groups were awarded funds from the Medway PSF.

How the funds are used

The funds will be used to support activities and groups to benefit parents and carers of Medway children and young people aged 0 - 18 years or up to 25 years if a young person has special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 

You can find out how organisations in Medway are using funds. 

Organisations

Asian Single Parents (ASP) Network

The service provides wellbeing activities to single parents and children. They also have a divorce coach who can put them on the right path when they're going through divorce. 

Also available are:

  • badminton sessions 
  • coffee and chats. 

Other wellbeing activities are open to all single parents and their children from all ethnicities. 

For more information

BushKraft Forest School Community Interest Company (CIC)

BushKraft has been set up to help vulnerable children and adults to build confidence and resilience. We teach how to cook simple, cheap and balanced meals from scratch as well as basic survival skills. 

They're working with 2 schools in Chatham and families in need and supporting them with skills they may need in everyday life.

BushKraft currently run:

  • parent and child sessions for children not in school for all ages
  • after school club for SEN children at Bradfields Academy
  • a forest school for a whole class once a week, for years reception to year 6 and one school. 

For more information

Carers First

Carers First received funding to deliver 6 taster session for parents and carers and cared for SEN children. 

The sessions are designed to:

  • connect parents and carers
  • build their peer relationships
  • improve physical and emotional wellbeing through activities.

So far, Carers First have offered trips to:

  • Diggerland
  • Jumpers Rebound. 

For more information

Cornerstone City Church

Lanterns is an initiative that looks to support, encourage and equip anyone solo parenting. There is also a drop is session at Jaspers Cafe that gives everyone a chance to meet up with others in the same situation for support.

Other events provided by Jaspers Community Cafe encourage connection with other groups and communities. 

All events can be found on Jaspers Community Cafe Facebook page. 

For more information

Home-Start Medway

Home-Start Medway wants every parent to have access to the support they need to give their child the best start in life. This is done through the home-visiting project and the support of volunteers and staff including a family first support worker and a domestic abuse worker. 

At home visits the aim is to:

  • help parents in Medway grow confidence in themselves and their parenting
  • help parents strengthen their relationships with their children
  • strengthen the links for the family with their local community.

There's also support for military families of current serving members of the armed forces. You'll be able to meet other parents and spouses and children are able to play with their peers. 

For more information

Kent Ghana Association (KGA)

KGA is the voice for Ghanaians living in Kent and Medway to:

  • promote health and wellbeing
  • establish a social network of Ghanaians 
  • enable public and private sector organisations to have access to the community
  • make people aware of the unique Ghanaian culture and traditions.

KGA organise regular sporting and education events to support families and children to grow in a healthy environment. 

Nigerian Community Association Kent and Medway (NCAKM)

The NCAKM is a voluntary organisation which was set up to support the social, economic and welfare needs of Nigerians in Kent and Medway. 

The aim is to support single parents and families by offering guidance and advice sessions on:

  • parenting
  • management of family relationships.

For more information

Relate Medway and North Kent

Relate Medway and North Kent provide counselling for couples and individuals either face to face or by Zoom. 

They're now offering more family counselling sessions which can involve all or some family members or individual support for children and young people. 

For more information

St Augustine's Church Gillingham

St Augustine's hosts a baby and toddler group during term time. Every session offers:

  • craft and messy play
  • a range of toys
  • drinks and healthy snacks. 

The group offers caregivers and children under 5 a free space to:

  • socialise
  • meet other care gives
  • get out of the house
  • battle loneliness that comes with looking after small children. 

The group is open to all caregivers from parents, to foster carers and child minders.

For more information

The Autism Apprentice CIC

The Autism Apprentice CIC provides support and advice to families caring for children and young people with or on the pathway to an autism diagnosis. 

They're going to be able to provide advice clinic and virtual carer groups. 

For more information

The Kenward Trust

Kenward Trust offer residential rehab in Kent for those with alcohol and drug addiction, as well as supporting family and friends of people impacted by addiction. 

Part of the work includes:

  • working with the community
  • delivering intervention and prevention talks in schools
  • doing outreach work in the Kent area. 

We're going to be looking to work with Medway Schools, including:

  • advising parents of signs to look out for
  • what substances do to the body and mind
  • understanding peer pressure.

For more information

The Parochial Church Council of St Justus Church Rochester

St Justus runs a preschool and parent and carers group during term time. 

At the session there are:

  • toys
  • ride on equipment
  • occasional craft activities
  • singing at the end of each session. 

For more information