Here is a list of Kent and national organisations that might be useful.
Organisations in Kent
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Service Helpline 0800 500 3014
Blue Badge Scheme Tel 03000 41 62 62
Citizens Advice (Kent branches)
Council Tax
Carers may be entitled to assistance with/exemptions from Council Tax, contact your local council:
Ashford Tel: 01233 331111 www.ashford.gov.uk
Canterbury Tel: 01227 862 300 www.canterbury.gov.uk
Dover Tel: 01304 821199 www.dover.gov.uk
Folkestone & Hythe Tel: 01303 853000 www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk
Thanet Tel: 01843 577000 www.thanet.gov.uk
Swale (for Faversham Carers) Tel: 01795 417850 www.swale.gov.uk
Community Navigators Connect Well East Kent Tel 0300 302 0178
Community Navigation is a free, impartial service supporting people to remain independent in their own home and active in their local community. Available to people aged 55+ (service may be available to those 18+ with a learning disability or other disability). Community Navigators can help with things such as managing your money/benefits, supporting you to live safely in your own home, maintaining and adapting your home to your needs or filling in forms.
Crossroads Care Kent Tel 03450 956 701
Short breaks service offering adult Carers a chance to step away from their caring role for a few hours each week.
Disability Information Services Kent (DISK) 01303 226464
Hi-Kent (for deaf and hard of hearing)
Kent Association for the Blind
Kent Dementia Helpline Tel 0800 500 3014 (24hr)
Emotional support and information about local services for those affected by Dementia.
Tel 03000 416161 (Mon-Fri – 9-5) Tel 03000 419191
(out of hours – for Emergencies only) Text 18001 03000 416161
Email social.services@kent.gov.uk
Mental Health Matters Helpline (Kent & Medway) call 0800 107 0160 or visit here
National organisations
Some of these national organisations also have branches or support groups in Kent.
Adfam
Information and support for the families of drug and alcohol users
Alzheimer’s Society
Information and advice for people with dementia and their carers.
T 0300 222 11 22
Age UK
Information and advice for the over 60s.
T 0800 678 1602
Arthritis Care
British Heart Foundation
Brittle Bone Association
Care Quality Commission
The independent regulator of health and social care in England.
T 03000 61 61 61
Carers Direct
T 0300 123 1053
Carers UK
Carers UK online forum
Carers Trust
A network of local centres providing advice, information
and support to carers.
T 0300 772 9600
Citizens Advice
Local offices for advice/ representation on benefits, debt and housing.
T 03444 111 444
Contact
Information and advice for families who care for children with a disability or special need.
T 0808 808 3555
Dementia UK
Diabetes UK
Disabled Living Foundation
Information and advice on equipment for independent living.
T 0300 999 0004
Downs Syndrome Association
Employers for Carers
Epilepsy Action
Genetic Disorders UK
Home Start UK
Independent Age
Information and advice for older people, their families and carers.
T 0800 319 6789
Leonard Cheshire
Information and support for people with disabilities.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Information and advice for people with cancer, their families and carers.
T 0808 808 00 00
Marie Curie
Support for people living with any terminal illness, and their families.
T 0800 090 2309
ME Association
Mencap
Information and advice for people with a learning disability, their families and carers.
T 0808 808 1111
www.mind.org.uk
Motor Neurone Disease Association
Information and advice for people with MND.
MS Society
Information and advice for oeioke with MS.
National Autistic Society
NHS 111 Service
Helpline providing health advice, information and reassurance.
T 111
www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care/nhs-111/
Parkinson’s UK
Peabody
Provide help and advice for people with disabilities or people over 55 who require repairs or adaptations to improve their home.
T 0800 028 3172
Relate
Counselling and support services for couples, families and young people.
T 0300 100 1234
Release The Pressure
Life can get really tough sometimes, but talking can help. We have a highly trained and experienced team available 24/7 to provide you with confidential support to get you back on track, web chat is also available.
T 0800 1070160
www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health/release-the-pressure
Rethink
Information, advice and community services for people affected by severe mental illness and their carers.
T 0300 5000 927
RNIB
Information and advice for people with sight loss.
SANE
Supporting people with mental illness
Samaritans
Samaritans are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
T 116 123
Email jo@samaritans.org
Scope
Information and support for people with disabilities.
Sense
Information and support for people who are deafblind and their families
Shelter
Information and advice on housing issues.
T 0808 800 4444
www.shelter.org.uk
SIBS
Charity for the brothers and sisters of disabled children and adults
Stroke Association
Information, support and advice to help those affected by stroke.
T 0303 3033 100
Turn2us
Information and advice on benefits and grants.
T 0808 802 2000