Get involved

There are various activities and organisations young people can get involved with including:

Activities and clubs

Libraries and book clubs

There are libraries across Medway where you can:

  • borrow books
  • join book clubs
  • meet new people who like the same genres. 

Find out more

Medway Little Theatre

The Medway Little Theatre delivers workshops on different areas of theatre for young people in Medway.

There are 2 groups available:

  • children's workshop for ages 7 to 12
  • youth company for ages 12 to 18. 

Workshop sessions include:

  • acting
  • performing arts
  • improvisation
  • devising
  • text work
  • theatre styles
  • stage combat
  • mime.

For the children's workshop they explore:

  • self confidence
  • vocals
  • literacy
  • team and problem-solving skills.

Find out more

Parkwood Youth Centre

Parkwood Youth Centre offers a variety of activities for young people aged 8 to 24.

View activities available at Parkwood Youth Centre. 

Find out more

Razzamataz Medway

Razzamataz is a theatre school company that covers all aspects of the performing arts, including:

  • musical theatre
  • song and dance
  • pop singing
  • street dance
  • drama and improvisation
  • physical theatre.

It also offers specialist workshops with industry professionals including stars of the West End and TV.

Razzamataz is a fun way to: 

  • make new friends
  • learn new skills
  • increase health and fitness.

It also offers the opportunity to perform in their annual summer showcases, as well as other local and national events.

Find out more

Strood Youth Centre

Strood Youth Centre offers a variety of activities for young people aged 8 to 19.

View activities available at Strood Youth Centre.

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Theatre31

Theatre31 is managed by Icon Theatre, based at the Brook Theatre in Chatham. They have been co-creating original performances with communities and young people since 2002.

Theatre31 is an exciting programme, inspiring young people to be involved in theatre and putting them directly in the driving seat.

The youth-led programme supports young people in:

  • making decisions 
  • calling the shots on everything that happens
  • deciding which artists to work with to designing the logo.

The programme is funded by Arts Council England, and Theatre31 is supported by Medway Council. 

Find out more

Gillingham Youth Centre

Gillingham Youth Centre offers a variety of activities for young people including:

  • music workshops
  • cooking workshops
  • life skills workshops.

View activities available at Gillingham Youth Centre.

Find out more

Young Lives Foundation (YLF) Legends 

The YLF Legends Programme provides a fun, supportive and safe setting for young people already under the care of Medway Council.

The programme allows young people to engage in new, exciting opportunities and experiences. This includes: 

  • half-term activities
  • overnight experiences
  • day trips
  • educational opportunities.

Find out more

Sports

Chatham Table Tennis Club (CTTC)

CTTC has a mission to support everyone no matter their ability.

It offers weekly Friday night club sessions in a state-of-the-art venue. The venue has 12 tables and a communal area.

Find out more

Cricket

Cricket can be a great way to:

  • boost stamina
  • develop balance
  • improve coordination
  • develop sportsmanship
  • make new friends.

Find out more

Find a cricket club near you

Football

Joining a football club gives you the opportunity to:

  • meet new friends
  • stay fit
  • learn a new skill. 

Find out more

Find a football club near you

Hockey

Joining a hockey club gives you the chance to:

  • socialise
  • develop new skills
  • keep fit.

Find out more

Find a hockey club near you

Kent Phoenix Youth Sports Club

Kent Phoenix offers the opportunity to:

  • play American Football
  • take part in cheerleading.

The club has 4 age categories:

  • under 11
  • under 14
  • under 17
  • under 19.

It's open to young people of all abilities and they will have the opportunity to:

  • learn new skills
  • meet new people
  • excel regionally and nationally.

Find out more

Medway Netball Junior League

Medway Netball Junior League provides a friendly and safe place to:

  • have fun
  • play netball
  • meet new people. 

The Junior League offers:

  • coaching for young players
  • umpire training to further your netball knowledge

They also have links with Emeralds Netball Club who provide coaching for younger players. This can lead to young people joining teams in the Junior League. 

Find out more

Medway Sport Centres

Medway Sports Centres offer:

  • weekly fitness classes
  • swimming lessons
  • football
  • disability sports.

Find out more

Olympia Boxing

Olympia Boxing provides a safe space for young people to:

  • learn new skills
  • improve confidence
  • keep active
  • meet new friends. 

All coaches are qualified England Boxing registered coaches with experience teaching young people of all ages. 

Find out more

Planet Ice

Planet Ice offers:

  • a fun and different way to keep fit
  • ice skating lessons
  • options to host birthday parties.

Find out more

Prince Arthur Bowls Juniors

Prince Arthur Juniors is open to any young person aged 7 years and over. Bowls is a sport with the objective of rolling balls that stop closest to the smaller ball. Whoever gets closest wins. 

The main aims are to:

  • encourage young people to make friends
  • enjoy themselves
  • develop new skills.

Find out more

Uniformed organisations

Air Cadets

The Air Cadets gives young people the opportunity to develop personal qualities that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. 

They provide activities including: 

  • flying and gliding
  • shooting
  • adventure training
  • camping
  • sports
  • music. 

Find out more

Find a squadron near you.

Boys' Brigade and Girls' Association

Boys' Brigade and Girls' Association gives opportunities to young people to make new friends and develop their skills. 

Activities include: 

  • bowling
  • camping
  • rock climbing
  • rifle shooting
  • canoeing. 

There are 2 companies in Medway - one in Gillingham and one in Strood. 

There are 4 different age groups:

  • Anchors for ages 4 to 7 years
  • Juniors for ages 7 to 11 years
  • Company for ages 11 to 14 years
  • Seniors for ages 15 to 19 years.

Find out more

Girlguiding

Girlguiding gives young people the space where they can:

  • be themselves
  • build friendships
  • make a difference in their communities.

Girlguiding Medway Division covers:

  • Chatham
  • Lordswood
  • Rochester
  • Walderslade. 

They run 4 different age groups:

  • Rainbows for ages 5 to 7 years
  • Brownies for ages 8 to 10 years
  • Guides for ages 10 to 14 years
  • Seniors for ages 13 to 25 years. 

Find out more

Medway Town Sea Cadets

Sea Cadets can help give young people access to opportunities and skills that can help to make the most out of today's world. 

Activities include:

  • sailing
  • windsurfing
  • powerboating
  • rock climbing
  • camping.

The activities help to highlight:

  • teamwork
  • respect
  • loyalty
  • self confidence
  • commitment
  • honesty.

Find out more

Medway Victory Sea Cadets

The Medway Victory Sea Cadets junior section is available to children in years 5 and 6 at Medway schools.

From age 12 in year 7 to age 18, they offer a wide range of activities. 

Unit, district, area and national courses are available including:

  • basic knowledge training
  • meteorology
  • engineering
  • first aid
  • seamanship
  • music
  • cadet instruction
  • adventure training
  • aviation.

Water activities include:

  • sailing
  • powerboats
  • offshore sailing
  • kayaking
  • paddleboarding
  • windsurfing
  • rowing.

Find out more

Police Cadets

The Police Cadets is for young people aged between 13 and 17 years. Young people get involved with:

  • activities supporting community policing
  • learning about being a responsible citizen.

They will also:

  • develop life skills
  • enhance opportunities for further education, training and employment. 

For young people aged 18 years and over, they can join as Cadet leaders

Find out more

Scouts

Scouts run different groups for different ages:

  • Beavers for ages 6 to 8 years
  • Cubs for ages 8 to 10 years
  • Scouts for ages 10 to 14 years
  • Explorers for ages 14 to 18 years.

The Scout Network is for ages 18 to 25 years where you can take part in activities that will help your curriculum vitae (CV).

There are scouts groups across Medway including: 

  • Allhallows
  • Borstal
  • Chatham
  • Cliffe
  • Cuxton
  • Frindsbury
  • Halling
  • Hoo
  • Lordswood
  • Rochester
  • Strood
  • Walderslade.

Find out more

Youth advocacy projects

British Youth Council (BYC)

The BYC empowers young people up to the age of 25 years to influence and inform decisions that directly affect their lives. 

They encourage people to get involved in their community and democracy locally, nationally and internationally. 

BYC also encourages young people to make a difference as:

  • volunteers
  • campaigners
  • decision-makers
  • leaders.

Find out more

Medway Youth Council (MYC)

MYC is a forum run by young people, for young people. 

Find out more

National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS)

NYAS supports vulnerable children and young people with independent advocacy and legal representation.

They can provide advocacy for:

  • children in care
  • care leavers
  • children and young people who are in-patients in mental health settings
  • children with disabilities.

Find out more

Young Lives Foundation (YLF)

YLF provide a children's rights and advocacy service for all young people entitled to support from Kent and Medway Specialist Children's Services. 

They offer independent support to children and young people:

  • who are struggling to express how they feel
  • feel unhappy about decisions made by professionals or family that has an impact on their lives. 

Find out more

Youth volunteering opportunities

Do It

Do It is a database of volunteering opportunities, some you can do from home, some you may need to travel for. 

Volunteering provides excellent experience to add to your CV. 

Find out more

Medway Valley Countryside Partnership

Medway Valley Countryside Partnership helps to:

  • enhance Kent's landscape
  • sustain its wildlife
  • promote and develop life long outdoor learning. 

They offer opportunities for work placement to:

  • school students
  • college students
  • undergraduates
  • graduate students. 

Find out more

Street Angels

Street Angels is a small charity to help provide essential items to homeless people.

They provide items such as: 

  • food and drink
  • toiletries
  • clothing
  • bedding
  • tents.

Find out more

St John Ambulance

St John Ambulance run programmes for young people to:

  • learn first aid
  • build confidence
  • gain important life skills. 

There are 2 groups:

  • Badgers for 7 to 10 year olds
  • Cadets for 10 to 17 year olds.

Young people will be able to:

  • meet new people
  • learn new skills
  • build your self confidence. 

There is also a group for NHS Cadets. This group helps to inspire young people aged 14 to 18 years who face barriers to a career in healthcare. 

The NHS Cadets provide learning and volunteering opportunities, including:

  • skills in care
  • leadership
  • teamwork. 

Find out more

Volunteer Centre Medway

Volunteer Centre Medway can signpost you to organisations that:

  • fit your skills and personality
  • need your help the most. 

Volunteering is a great way to:

  • meet new people
  • gain new skills
  • make a difference.

Find out more