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Mental Health

Mental health is an important aspect of our well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act, as well as how we cope with stress, relate to others and make choices. Mental health problems can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or background.

If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health problems, you are not alone. There are many services and organisations in Dover District that can offer you support, advice and treatment. Whether you need urgent help, ongoing care or just someone to talk to, there is a service that can help you.

We have researched local partners, organisations and charities that can offer you a wide range of support. Please click on the helpful links below for more information.

Adult Provision

Service	Contact	Details
Live Well Kent	https://livewellkent.org.uk/in-your-area/ Call: 08000 5677699	Services accessible through Live Well Kent: · Core Support Programmes · Peer Support Programmes · Social Support · Employment Support · Housing Support · Volunteering · Other Support
Dover Counselling Service	https://dovercc.org.uk 01304 204123	To support those who might be feeling anxious or depressed for a variety of reasons. Offering support and a safe place to talk about how you are feeling, in confidence, and without being judged.
Porchlight	https://www.porchlight.org.uk/ 0800 567 7699	Working across the South East to help vulnerable and isolated people get support, for ages 17 and over. Health and wellbeing services – Mental Health, Primary Care community link service, Aspirations, Community Inclusion and Mentoring, Jobs, education and training. Housing Services – Routh Sleeper Service, adult support accommodation, Specialist supported housing, homelessness prevention.
Amparo Bereavement Support Services	https://amparo.org.uk/our-locations/kent.medway/ 03300 889255	Amparo provides emotional and pratical supprot for anyone who has felt the impact of suiside. You can refer at any stage of bereavement, supprot can be provided 1-2-1, or two family groups, or groups of work colleagues, whatever you prefer.
Mary Dolly Foundation	www.marydollyfoundation.org.uk 020 8315 0595 info@marydollyfoundation.org.uk	The Mary Dolly Foundation was founded to help and support children and young people in need, their families and elderly citizens access services they may otherwise not be able to use. Offering early intervention for emotional distress at different levels to children and families with additional needs.
Dads Unlimited	https://www.dadsunltd.org.uk/ 01233 680150 support@dadsunltd.org.uk	Services offered: · Mentoring · One-to-one Mentoring · Call Helpline · Co-parenting Workshops · Pastoral Support · Mental Health Support · Court Support · Community Activities · Dads’ Cafe Support Group Meetings · Community Events · Buddy Scheme Opening times, monday to Friday 9am - 4pm
Home-start Dover District	https://homestartdover.org.uk 01304 242 314 Office@homstartdover.org.uk	Home-Start Dover District is a voluntary organisation that is committed to promoting the welfare of families with at least one child under five years of age. Volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to families under stress in their own homes helping to prevent family crisis and breakdown.
North East London Foundation Trust - NELFT Mental Health support	www.nelft.nhs.uk 0800 995 1000	Our 24/7 crisis line will remain open as usual and so if you live in Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge, Waltham Forest, Kent and Medway, or Essex, you can call for mental health help and advice anytime, day or night. Call 0800 995 1000.
Healthy Start	www.gov.uk/healthy-start Healthystartclaim@dhsc.gov.uk	If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, the Healthy Start scheme can help you buy healthy foods like milk or fruit and get free vitamins. You need to be claiming certain benefits to qualify. If you’re pregnant and under 18 you can claim even if you do not receive any benefits.
The Forward Trust	https://www.forwardtrust.org.uk/service/dover-and-folkestone-hub 01304 248 290 dover@forwardtrust.org.uk	Dover and Folkestone Hub. Service delivered in the community. We help people that have issues with drugs and/or alcohol and want to make a positive change. We also support the family and friends of people who are worried about their loved ones substance use.
Kent Enablement and Recovery Service	www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health/mental-health/kent-enablement-and-recovery-service 03000 422655 KERSAdmin@kent.gov.uk	Kent Enablement and Recovery Service (KERS) works with Adults experiencing mental health difficulties to address social care needs over a short period of time (up to 12 weeks). We provide support to maximize your wellbeing and quality of life, in a way that suits you. We also work with local community services to help you find a creative and realistic response to your needs.
Mental Health Matters Helpline	https://www.mhm.org.uk/ 01915 163500 info@mhm.org.uk	Helpline for people with mental health problems, their carers, families and friends. Phone lines are open 9am-5pm Monday-Friday, as well as a 24/7 wechat.
Everyturn	https://www.everyturn.org/talking-therapies/locations/kent/ 0300 555 5555 kent@everyturn.org	Our Kent counselling and talking therapies service is free and available to anyone aged 17.5+ and registered with a GP in East Kent, Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley, or Swale.
One You Kent	www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health/one-you-kent	Provides health improvement services in Kent. This includes, the weight loss team, smokefree, health checks, the smoking in pregnancy home visiting service, health walks and the expert patient programme as well as the lifestyle adviser service. To get supprot from One You Kent, tell us abit about yourself, and one of our lifestyle advisers will contact you about the support available.
Social Prescribers - Social Enterprise Kent (Ashford, Dover, Folkestone, Hythe and Thanet).	www.kentandmedway.icb.nhs.uk/mental-wellbeing-information-hub/social-prescribing 0300 302 0178 connectwell@sekgroup.org.uk social.prescriberpcn@nhs.net	Social prescribing enables organisations to refer people to a range of services that offer support for social, emotional or practical needs. This could include feelings of loneliness, as well as for debt, employment or housing problems, or difficulties with their relationships. Social prescribing connects people to community groups and services, often through the support of a ‘link worker’. The exact nature of the role can vary depending on where you live in Kent and Medway.
Shaw Trust	www.shawtrust.org.uk 03003 033111 support@shaw-trust.org.uk	Support and services including employability programmes, and complementary services for people with complex needs, challenging life circumstances or other barries that impact on access to work.
We Are With You	www.wearewithyou.org.uk	Get free and confidential service to support with mental health, alcohol and drug issues from one of our local services or online.
Samaritans	www.samaritans.org/branches/folkestone/ Emergecny free number - 116123 03300 945717	You can talk to us, anytime you like, in your own way. You don't have to be suicidal, we're here anyone who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those thoughts which could lead to suicide.

Young People Provision

Service	Contact	Details
Early Help and Preventative Services	https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/early-help-support-for-families#tab-2 03000 422998 DoverEarlyHelp@kent.gov.uk	For advice, support and guidance, you can get in touch with the Early Help District team by email or phone. If you feel the needs of the family sit below Support Levels 3 or 4, and you would have previously considered completing an Early Help Notification, please feel free to contact your local Early Help Team for a District Conversation. You will then be able to discuss the needs of a child, young person or family and be provided with advice about the most appropriate type of support available within the community at Support Levels 1 and 2.
KOOTH Counselling	www.kooth.com . kent@xenzone.com .	Kooth, from XenZone, is an online counselling and emotional well-being platform for children and young people 10 -16 years, accessible virtually free at the point of use. Young people can access text-based chats with a counsellor safely, anonymously and for free. There is also a range of self-help resources including a magazine, forums and an activity hub. results. Kooth staff can also provide resources and training for free to anyone in Kent that works with young people.
KCC Front Door	Front door Portal Contacts 03000 41 11 11 Out of Hours (after 5pm / Urgent calls only) 03000 41 91 91 https://www.kscmp.org.uk/guidance/kent-support-levels-guidance	The Single Request for Support Form replaces the Early Help Notification (EHN) and the Inter-agency Referral (IAR) forms. The new form is intended to be used by professionals making requests for children and families requiring intensive or specialist support at levels 3 and 4 only. Any referrals that do not meet the criteria should be referred to the appropriate service for additional or universal services or consideration given as to whether the identified needs can be met within the referrer’s own service.
Dover Distrcit Children’s Centres	www.facebook.com/doverdistrictcc For any Children’s Centre query, please call the Dover Early Help number 03000 422998	Each centre offers different services, including: · childcare · early education · training or finding a new job · antenatal classes · baby clinics · support with breastfeeding · support with parenting and speech and language · drop-in sessions for parents and children · services for children with special needs and disabilities · opportunities for families to get involved with volunteering and designing services Please check with your local children's centre and for their virtual offer. https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/childcare-and-pre-school/childrens-centres
Reconnect	If you have any questions, please contact the Reconnect team at the email address: reconnect.kentcyp@kent.gov.uk. https://local.kent.gov.uk/kb5/kent/directory/whats_on.page See the Reconnect: Kent children and young people website. We have also created a Reconnect Facebook page	Reconnect is a community-led programme designed to get Kent’s children and young people back to enjoying the activities and opportunities they took part in before COVID-19 – as well as the chance to try new things along the way. After a year of staying in, it's time to get out there and Reconnect with the things you've missed over the past 12 months. There are lots of fun activities and events going on across the county, so find something that interests you and have fun!
Salus Group	Children and young people: https://salusgroup.org.uk/service-type/children-young-people/ Family Support: https://salusgroup.org.uk/service-type/families/	Salus offer a diverse range of programmes to support the needs of children and young people. This can be in school, the community or at home. Salus delivers a range of support to families with a focus on emotional health, well-being and practical support.
Inspire Project	Inspire Project (dover.gov.uk) ddcinspire@dover.gov.uk Freya.Donovan@dover.gov.uk	The Inspire project is open to young people aged 4-18 who have a lack of opportunity or challenging circumstance. The activity pays for them to do an activity of their choice for up to 24 weeks.
Bereavement Support Services	Amparo website	Over the last few months KCC’s Public Health team (in partnership with the CCG) have been procuring two new bereavement support services. Each one has a different target market: · Children, young people, and young adults who have been bereaved in any manner (Due to start in September) · People (any age) bereaved by suicide. Started operating 1July, referrals being accepted now on the Amparo website.
School Health Services	https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/service/school-health/ 0800 0113474 kchft.schoolhealth@nhs.net	The teams are led by school nurses who are qualified nurses, with specialist training in public health. They are supported by school staff nurses, assistant practitioners, public health assistants and an administration team. They work closely with health visitors, community paediatricians, schools and other services from local communities in a range of locations, including mainstream schools and special schools and outreach services.
Kent Young Carers	https://www.imago.community/Children-and-Young-People/Kent-Young-Carers 0300 111 1110	Support for children who have caring duties. Kent Young Carers is the countywide service for Young Carers aged 5-18 across Kent. Young Carers are taking on caring responsibilities for a family member with a long-term illness, disability, mental health, or substance misuse issue.
Free School Meals	Free school meals - Kent County Council	If your child is under 19 and in full-time education, you may be able to get free school meals for them. The quickest and easiest way to apply for school meals is to apply online.
The Young Lives Foundation	https://ylf.org.uk/ 01622 693459	The Young Lives Foundation (YLF) is an award-winning children’s charity in the South East of England with expertise in Advocacy, Mentoring, Befriending and Activity Programmes.
Kent Children & Young People’s Mental Health Service CYPMHS (NELFT)	https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/services-kent-children-young-peoples-mental-health 0800 0113474 Kent CYPMHS South Kent Coast Castleside, Dover Health Centre, Maison Dieu Road, Dover, Kent, CT16 1RH Resources - https://mindfresh.nelft.nhs.uk/	The Children and Young People's Mental Health Service (CYPMHS) provides emotional wellbeing and mental health advice and support for young people and their families across Kent. This service is available to young people from the age of 0-18 (up until their 19^th birthday) and up until the age of 25 for young people with special educational needs or as part of a wider network of support for children and young people in the care of the Local Authority. CYPMHS offers advice and support for stress, low mood and depression, anxiety, self-harm or difficult to manage behaviors and support for neurodevelopmental difficulties such as ADHD or ASD.
Kent Resilience Hub	https://kentresiliencehub.org.uk/	Targeted support available for young people attending HeadStart Kent schools and some universal services and resources available. Talents and interests grants: https://kentresiliencehub.org.uk/schools-and-communities/grants/ Pay it forward grants:https://kentresiliencehub.org.uk/schools-and-communities/grants/
North East London Foundation Trust - NELFT	www.nelft.nhs.uk	NELFT are the provider of all age eating disorder services and child and adolescent mental health services across Kent and Medway.
School Health Services	https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/service/school-health/ 0800 0113474 kchft.schoolhealth@nhs.net	The teams are led by school nurses who are qualified nurses, with specialist training in public health. They are supported by school staff nurses, assistant practitioners, public health assistants and an administration team. They work closely with health visitors, community paediatricians, schools, and other services from local communities in a range of locations, including mainstream schools and special schools and outreach services.
The BeYou Project	https://thebeyouproject.co.uk/ beyou@porchlight.org.uk	The BeYou Project, offered by Porchlight, connects young people in Kent who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or unsure of their sexual orientation and / or gender identity. BeYou offers a safe, welcoming and non-judgemental space where young LGBT+ people can meet to socialise, have fun and help each other.
Everyturn	https://www.everyturn.org/talking-therapies/locations/kent/ 0300 555 5555 kent@everyturn.org	Our Kent counselling and talking therapies service is free and available to anyone aged 17.5+ and registered with a GP in East Kent, Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley, or Swale.
Mary Dolly Foundation	www.marydollyfoundation.org.uk 020 8315 0595 info@marydollyfoundation.org.uk	The Mary Dolly Foundation was founded to help and support children and young people in need, their families and elderly citizens access services they may otherwise not be able to use. Offering early intervention for emotional distress at different levels to children and families with additional needs.
Kent Community Health Trust – Chat Heath	https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/service/school-health/counselling-and-emotional-health/ 07520 618850	Chat Health is a text service for 11-19 years. Young people can text with a member of their team about any physical or emotional health concerns they have. This service is available Monday to Friday, 9am. This service is confidential and anonymous.
Kent Community Health Trust – CYP Counselling Services	https://family.kentcht.nhs.uk/children-and-young-peoples-counselling-service/ 0300 123 5205	The Children and Young People’s Counselling Service offers counselling to support the emotional health and wellbeing of children and young people aged four to 19. Accessing support to explore, manage and understand difficult feelings can be helpful. We offer up to six counselling sessions to help a young person gain understanding and develop strategies to help them feel better. For primary school-aged children, we can offer the child six sessions with a counsellor, or if more appropriate, we can offer parents six weekly online sessions with advice on practical, easy to use strategies to support your child. https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/forms/school-health-service-referral-form/

Domestic Abuse Provision

Service

Contact

Details

Oasis

eip@oasisdaservice.org

http://www.oasisdaservice.org/

Oasis supports people who have been affected by domestic abuse - how to get help if you've experienced abuse, details of services that you can use, advice on keeping safe, information about abuse. Child and young people services incudes: iCan programme for boys age 13-16; Young Person's outreach: 1-1 mentoring for ages 7-25; Recovering Together programme for mothers and their primary school aged children, post domestic abuse.

East Kent Rape Crisis Centre

https://www.ekrcc.org.uk/

Crisis line – 0800 458 2818

Support line – 01227 450400

A safe space to everyone affected by any kind of sexual violence or coercion experienced at any time during their lives. All services are open to women, men and children, and family and friends. They offer face to face counselling, therapeutic crisis interventions, support through the criminal justice system and support & crisis phone lines.

Rubicon Counselling

http://www.rubiconcares.org/

07505 709876

Counselling for victims of any crime including domestic abuse. At Rubicon Cares they provide trauma counselling throughout Kent & Medway for people affected by ANY crime. This is a free, confidential service to help people deal with the effects of, and move on from, what has happened

Rising Sun Domestic Abuse Service

http://www.risingsunkent.com/

01227 452852

Rising Sun Domestic Violence & Abuse Service supports women and children affected by domestic abuse. They support their users through every step of removing abuse from their lives and improving their safety.

http://www.risingsunkent.com/services-for-children/

http://www.risingsunkent.com/services-for-young-people/

http://www.risingsunkent.com/services-for-adults/

Kent and Medway Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Executive Group

http://www.domesticabuseservices.org.uk/

This website has been produced in order to provide a central, comprehensive resource of all Domestic Abuse related services within Kent and Medway for victims, friends & family and perpetrators.

Homelessness Provision

Service

Contact

Details

Dover Outreach Centre

To make an appointment: 01304 339022

https://www.doveroutreachcentre.org/

A charity set up to help homeless people whose aim is not to support people in their homelessness, but to give them a hand up out of it.

Porchlight

https://www.porchlight.org.uk/

0800 567 7699

Working across the South East to help vulnerable and isolated people get support, for ages 17 and over

Health and wellbeing services – Mental Health, Primary Care community link service, Aspirations, Community Inclusion and Mentoring, Jobs, education and training

Housing Services – Routh Sleeper Service, adult support accommodation, Specialist supported housing, homelessness prevention.

Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Provision

Service	Contact	Details
Information, Advice and Support Kent (IASK)	https://www.iask.org.uk/ 03000 41 3000 iask@kent.gov.uk	Supporting families of children and young people (0-25) with special educational needs or disabilities with advice re the Statutory Assessment process and annual reviews.
Kent Autistic Trust	https://www.kentautistictrust.org/ 01634 405168	Services include: § Domiciliary Care/ Support Living § Day/Resource Centres § Outreach § Respite § Family Support § Family support groups § Children support groups § Social Skills Groups
Special Educational Needs	https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/special-educational-needs https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/special-educational-needs/what-to-do-if-you-think-your-child-has-send	The SEND Local Offer tells families what support is available for children and young people with SEND. Kent’s Local Offer is being reviewed and updated as a part of the SEND Improvement Programme. One of the improvements is an online tool called, Explore your options. This handy online tool helps families explore what are the right options for them if they think their child may have SEND and depending on the answers given offers a range of options for support Here is the link for the ASD page which has links to other organisations on it: Autism spectrum condition - Kent County Council And here is the link to the page which has the Kent ASD handbook: Information for families about autism and ADHD - Kent County Council
Cygnet Parenting Support Programme	www.barnardos-parenting.org.uk	A parenting programme for parents and carers of children and young people aged 5-18 with an autistic spectrum condition.
Includes Us 2 Family Support Partnership Service	www.facebook.com/IncludesUs2 Call 07525589321 Or email: familysupport@includesus2.org.uk	The Family Support Partnership is a new service specifically for parents/carers of children with a disability or SEN by providing a tailored package of support for up to 12 weeks. The project is funded by the National Lottery and delivered in partnership with the charities Includes Us 2, For Us Too and Space 2 Be Me. The service is being offered across Includes Us 2: Ashford, Folkestone & Hythe, Dover.
The Education People	https://www.theeducationpeople.org/our-expertise/specialist-employment/	Delivered by Kent Supported Employment, their Specialist Employment service provides a range of services from school employability and work experience programs to supporting students and adult jobseekers into work experience, supported internships, supported apprenticeships, self-employment and paid employment. They hold specialist knowledge and experience of services for SEND students, other vulnerable learner groups and adults with a disability or disadvantage.
Shaw Trust	Home - Shaw Trust	Provides support and high quality employability programmes and complementary services for people with complex needs, challenging life circumstances or other barriers that impact on access to work.
Bright Shadow's Zest Groups	01227 467272 info@brightshadow.org.uk https://brightshadow.org.uk/zestsessions/zest-community-groups/	Offer two-hour per week creative sessions for people living with and affected by dementia, providing stimulation, companionship and support in four warm community venues.
SignHealth	Text: 078600 33214 Email: info@signhealth.org.uk Call: 020 3947 2600 Or to call via SignVideo visit their webpage: Contact SignHealth - SignHealth	Supporting deaf people with psychological therapy, domestic abuse support, social care, advocacy, young people and campaigns.

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