Youth support services

How to get support

There are many types of support services available. They are:

Disability and additional needs support

Disability Assist for Independent Living

Disability Assist, formerly known as the Centre for Independent Living Kent, helps disabled people to live as independently as possible.

Disability Assist is controlled and managed by disabled people who understand the challenges and issues faced when living with a disability. Their aim to help disabled people have choices and to take control of their lives.

Find out more

Drug, alcohol and addiction support

Frank

Frank aims to provide honest information about drugs and alcohol. It also provides advice on topics such as dealing with peer pressure.

You can get support from Frank by phone, text or online live chat. Phone and text support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Live chat is open from 2pm to 6pm, 7 days a week. 

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GamCare

GamCare offers you the opportunity to talk over the phone or over chat with an adviser about problem gambling.

It provides 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 free self-help resources and join the forum where you can share support, advice and ideas with others who are struggling.

Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Find out more

Open Road

Open Road is a drug and alcohol recovery support charity. It provides services to support individuals on their recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.

Open Road has a specialised Young People Service that provides 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're worried about a friend or a family member and their drink and drug use.

They also have days out including:

  • Go-Ape
  • paintballing
  • zoo visits
  • activity days such as trampolining and bowling.

Find out more

Education and employment support

Supported internships

Supported internships are structured, work-based study programmes for 16 to 24-year-olds with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who have an education, health and care plan (EHCP).

Find out about supported internships in Medway

Big Youth Group

The Big Youth Group aims to create work-life experiences and improve the odds for young people in the UK.

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

Information, Advice and Guidance Service (IAG)

The IAG Service helps young people to get a form of further education. This could be at school, college, or work.

Find out more

More information on IAG Service.

The Prince's Trust

The Prince’s Trust offers a range of different programmes designed to support 11 to 30 year olds into education, training and employment.

It works with delivery partners across the UK to offer opportunities to inspire young people including:

  • free courses
  • grants
  • mentoring opportunities.

Find out more

Kent Supported Employment

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 while finding:

  • paid employment
  • work placements
  • supported apprenticeships
  • volunteering opportunities that lead to employment.

Once you’ve found a suitable placement, support will be offered to help you adapt to your new working environment.

Find out more

  • Phone: 03000 410 781.

Housing

Nirvana Care and Support Hub

Nirvana Care and Support Hub specialises in supporting young people with:

  • learning disabilities
  • challenging behaviour
  • mental health issues
  • physical disabilities
  • victims of domestic abuse
  • care leavers
  • young offenders.

It aims to give you the skills and ability to achieve independence on your own terms.

In addition, Nirvana Care and Support Hub can support you with housing. It has a range of properties to support you, including 4 bed shared properties with onsite support or one bed standalone properties.

Find out more

Medway Council

Medway Council provides advice for people who may be facing different kinds of housing issues including:

  • people who are at risk of homelessness
  • help for rough sleepers
  • those who may be experiencing domestic abuse and need to leave their home immediately.

Find out more

Low income

The Hygiene Bank

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
  • charities working to support families and individuals in need.

Find out more

Medway Foodbank

Medway Foodbank offers nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people. 

Find out more

Mentoring

Strengthening Minds

Strengthening Minds aims to help young people grow through their list of personal development programmes.

It offers fully comprehensive programmes with full, year-round support and frequently updated resources.

Find out more