Medway's services and support

We welcome the people of Ukraine and will do our best to provide you with the support you need during these uncertain times.

We provide more than 70 services for Medway residents, from education to social care, and our services are available for you to use.

On this page you'll find a list of some of our services which you may find useful:

Schools

Your children are entitled to a school place. In England, you must ensure that all your children aged between 5 and 16 receive a full-time education.

You can contact a school directly to apply for a place.

If your nearest schools do not have a place, email our admissions team for further advice: admissions@medway.gov.uk

Find out about the English school admissions system.

Healthcare

You are entitled to free healthcare with the National Health Service (NHS).

Doctor

Find out how to register with a doctor.

If you need medicine you can collect this from a pharmacy. You may have to pay towards the cost of medicine. However, prescriptions are free for some people.

Hospital

Your nearest hospital, with accident and emergency departments, is at Medway Maritime Hospital, Windmill Road, Gillingham.

Dentist

Medway has NHS dentists.

Find out how to register with an NHS dentist.

Most people must make some payments towards dental costs, but some people can access free dentistry.

Mental health

For adults

Release the pressure: if you are in distress, you can get immediate support from trained staff 24-hours a day. Call 0800 107 0160 or text the word ‘Medway’ to 85258.

For children

Kooth: for children and young people aged 10 to 25 in need of mental health support, including online counselling.

Social care

Adults

Find out about help you could be entitled to if you're looking after an adult or elderly family member. 

Children

We provide support and services for families and carers with children aged 0 to 19 (or up to 25 if they have special educational needs or are care leavers).

Financial support and benefits

One-off cash payment

We will provide an initial payment of £200 per guest arriving in Medway to help with immediate subsistence costs. As those arriving will most likely not have immediate access to a bank account, this payment will be made in cash. However, there is more information on access to bank accounts provided on the government’s website.

Universal Credit

You can apply for Universal Credit which will assist those who are unable to work, those who are looking for work, or who are on a low income. Universal Credit is made up of a standard allowance and any extra amounts that may apply to you. You can apply for Universal Credit online. You can phone the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 325 5644.

The Citizens Advice Bureau offer a help to claim service. You can also phone the help to claim service on 0800 144 8444. Translators are available.

Learn English with Medway Adult Education

Our English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) courses are for people who live in the UK and need to learn English for their everyday lives.

Travel

Medway has excellent transport links.

Bus services run across Medway. Find out the bus timetable.

There are railway stations in all 5 of our towns: Rainham, Gillingham, Chatham, Rochester and Strood.

Libraries and community hubs

At Medway's libraries and community hubs you can: 

  • get your free library card and borrow some books for free
  • join in free activities for young children
  • use a computer or Wi-Fi for free.

Visit your local library or community hub to see what other activities are available.

Sports and leisure

Medway has 3 leisure centres:

Child-friendly Medway

There are plenty of things to do with children in Medway, some of them are free:

To find out more about our upcoming programmes and events for children, young people (up to 25), and parents and carers visit Child-friendly Medway.

And you can follow our social media channels:

  • Facebook: Child-Friendly Medway
  • Instagram: Child-Friendly Medway
  • Twitter: Child-Friendly Medway.

This summer we will be offering:

  • free sports programming in our local parks
  • creative workshops
  • lots of events and activities for children, young people, parents and carers, and families.