Help to support the most vulnerable during the festive period

As many of us are getting into the festive spirit why not do something small to help those most vulnerable during the Christmas period and winter months.

Knock and Check campaign

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of the Tier 4 restrictions in Kent it’s more important than ever that we check on vulnerable residents and show them that there is support during the festive period whilst continuing to follow the guidelines.

Kent County Council (KCC) continues to back the Kent Community Foundations’ Surviving Winter Campaign “Knock and Check” by asking residents in Kent and Medway to reignite the community spirit seen during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic. We can make a world of difference by doing something small to help the most vulnerable in our community over the cold winter months and during what will be an incredibly lonely time for some people this Christmas.

Knock and check is simple – your small actions can help to make a big difference by checking on the elderly and the most isolated in your local community. We can achieve this whilst continuing to follow the Government guidelines on social distancing by keeping a 2m distance, staying outdoors at all times and wearing a face mask.

Small actions you can take include:

• Knock on the door to say “hello”
• Offer to pick up some food or add something to your next online order
• Drop off a slice of cake or take a packet of biscuits
• Plate up an extra meal or drop off a frozen dish
• Post a note with your contact number and / or the details of helplines and support available
• Share books and magazines or recommend a good read
• Volunteer for one of our fantastic voluntary organisations in Kent and Medway
• Spread the word to family and friends

Lives can and will be saved this winter by us all working together to recognise and support those most at risk. To find out more about the ‘Knock and Check’ campaign visit https://kentcf.org.uk/knockandcheck

Kent Together

Kent Together helpline launched by Kent County Council to help support vulnerable people in Kent who need urgent help, supplies or medication. It provides a single, convenient point of contact for anyone in the county who is in urgent need of help during the Coronavirus outbreak.

If you are vulnerable and have an urgent need that cannot be met through existing support networks, you can contact the Kent Together helpline at www.kent.gov.uk/KentTogether  or by calling on 03000 41 92 92. It is a 24 hour service.

Local food banks in Kent

If you or someone you know is in need of food and essentials, these food banks are currently operating in Kent. For most of these food banks you will need a food voucher or a referral.

The process for each food bank is different so the best thing to do is contact your nearest one to find out how you can access it and each one will have different operating times and processes in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ashford

• Bluebells Children Centre - School Road, Hothfield, Ashford TN26 1HA. Call 03000 418300 (Monday-Friday 8.30am-4.30pm) - Families only
  
  
• Waterside Children Centre - Turner Close, Ashford TN24 0PQ. Call 03000 418700 (Monday-Friday 9am-4.30pm) - Families only 
  
  
• Lite Bites Willows Children Centre Cafe - Brookfield Road, Ashford TN23 4EY. Call 07732 385091 (12-2pm) - Families only
  
  
• Ashford Vineyard - Ashford Works, Cobbs Wood Industrial Estate, Brunswick Road, TN23 1EH. Call: 01233 331919 (Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays 9am-12 noon and last Saturday of every month).
  
  
• Tenterden Social Hub - Church Road, Tenterden, TN30 6AT. Call 01580 762882 (Monday-Thursday 8.30am-9.30am and 3pm-4pm) - Individuals only
  
  
• St Mildreds Church Vicarage - Church Road, Tenterden, TN30 6AT. Call: 01580 761591 / 07888 998874 ​(8am - 8pm).
  
  
• Willesborough Baptist Church. Call 01233 632739​​.
  
  
• Boxes of Hope - First Floor, 162 Godington Road, Ashford, TN23 1LN. Call 01233 340194 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9am-12noon).
  
  
• St Francis Church, Cryol Road, Ashford, TN23 5AS. Call 07562 333201.

Canterbury

• All Saints Church (Military Road, CT1 1PA). Open Tuesdays, 9.30am - 11am.
• St Dunstans Church Hall (London Road, CT2 8LS). Open Fridays, 12pm - 1.30pm. Call 07718 108875.

Deal 

• Deal food bank. Open weekdays (deliver only). Call 01304 728428 or email info@dealarea.foodbank.org.uk
  

Dover

• Beacon Church (Bartholomew Street, CT16 2LH). Delivery only. Call 07870 361180.
• Temple Ewell Baptist Church - 181 London Road, Temple Ewell, Dover, CT16 3DU. Call 01304 826396 (Mondays 10am-3pm).  
• Cross-Links - 9 Sheridan Road, Dover, CT16 2BZ. Call 01304 827859 (Monday-Friday 10am-4.30pm).
• The Ark Church (Noah’s Ark Road, CT17 0DD). Delivery only. Call 01304 225737. 

Folkestone

• Folkestone Methodist Church (Sandgate Road, CT20 2BL). Open Tuesdays and Fridays, 2pm - 3.30pm. Call 07913 573403.
• Romney Marsh Community Church (North street, TN28 8DW). Call 07913 573403.
• Folkestone Community Support Hub for people who are self-isolating (run by Citizens Advice). Delivers food, collects and delivers medicine. Call 01303 316186 or email covid-19@3hsp.co.uk

Gravesend

• Gravesham Food bank. Open Tuesday to Friday, 10am - 12.30pm. Call 01474 559555.

Herne Bay

• Salvation Army (33 Richmond Street, CT6 5RH). Open Tuesdays, 12.30pm - 2pm. Call 01227 742719.

Hythe

• Hythe Community Support Hub for people who are self-isolating (run by Age UK) Delivers food, collects and delivers medicine. Call 01303 269602 or email covid-19@ageukhl.org.uk

Lydd

• Hardy Hall (Skinner Road, TN29 9HN). Open Fridays, 6.30pm - 7.30pm. Call 07913 573403

Maidstone

• Greenfields Children Centre - Greenfields CC, Rutland Way, Shepway, ME15 8DR. ​Call 03000 412987.
• Maidstone Social Services – call 0300 041 6161.
• Maidstone Day Centre (Knightrider Street, ME15 6LP). Open weekdays, 9am - 12pm. Call 01622 76406.
• MADM (48 Church Street, ME14 1EL). Weekdays, 10am - 4pm. Call 01634 684414 
• Salvation Army (74 - 80 Union Street, ME14 1ED). Open daily (but call before going). Call 01622 681808.

New Romney

• New Romney Christian Centre (North Street, TN28 8DW). Open Tuesdays, 5.30pm - 7pm. Call 07913 573403.

Paddock Wood

• Paddock Wood Food Bank (The Community Store, Wesley Centre, 109 Commercial Road, TN12 6DS). Open Tuesdays 1pm - 3pm, Wednesdays 12.30pm - 2pm, and Thursdays 9.30am -11am. Call 07582 142948 or email enquiries@communitystorehouse.co.uk

Swale

• Seashells Children Centre - Rose Street, Sheerness, ME12 1AW. Call 01795 889233​ (Monday - Friday 9am – 3pm)
  
  
• Community Church Sheppey - Broadway, Sheerness, ME12 1TP - Collection Service from Church building Sunday and Thursday 12noon-2pm and delivery service Monday - Sunday 12noon-2pm. Call 07784 807737.
  
  
• Murston Children Centre, Church Road, Sittingbourne, ME10 3RU. ​Call 03000 420896 or email Murstoncc@kent.gov.uk
  
  
• St Mary Church, Teynham - call 01795 522510.
  
  
• St Michael's Church, High Street, Sittingbourne, ME10 4PG. Call 07881 555580. 
  
  
• West Faversham Community Centre, Bysingwood Road, Faversham, ME13 7RH. ​Call 01795 537321 (Monday- Friday 9am – 8.30pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am – 4pm).
  
  
• Net Church (95 East Street, ME10 4BL). Open Tuesdays, 11.30am - 1.30pm. Call 01795 430259.
  
  
• Holy Trinity Parish Hall (Church Street, ME10 3EG). Delivering to people with vouchers on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Call 07486 370709.
   
• Baptist Church (High Street, ME10 4AQ). Open Fridays, 10am - 12pm. Call 01795 420990.
  
  
• Methodist Church Centre (St Michael's Road, ME10 3ND). Open Saturdays, 10am - 12pm. Call 07733 543538

Thanet

• Millmead Children Centre - Dane Valley Road, Margate, CT9 3RU. Call 01843 280555 -  Families only
  
  
• Six Bells Children Centre - 201 High Street, Margate, CT9 1WH. ​Call 03000 411666 - Families only
  
  
• Pie Factory Music Group - Ramsgate Youth Centre, High Street St Lawrence, CT11 0QG. Call 07746 916240 ​(Monday-Friday 9.30am-3.30pm)
• Thanet Social Services - call 03000 414141

Tonbridge

• Tonbridge Baptist Church (Darenth Avenue, TN10 3HZ). Open weekdays, 12pm - 2pm. Call 01732 352824 and leave a message.
  
  
• Nourish Community Food Bank. Open Tuesdays, 9.30am - 12pm (home deliveries only). To use this food bank, you must be registered in advance. Email admin@nourishcommunityfoodbank.org.uk and request to set up an account.

Tunbridge Wells

• St Augustines Church (Crescent Road, TN1 2LY). Open Fridays, 12pm - 3pm. Call 01892 520117.
• Nourish Community Food Bank. Open Tuesdays, 9.30am - 12pm. Call 01892 548892. 

Whitstable

• Umbrella Centre (10 Oxford Street, CT5 1DD). Open Thursdays, 9.30am - 11am. Call 01227 767660

Alternatively you can find a food ban on the Kent County Council website here: https://www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/care-and-support/benefits/home-essentials-in-a-crisis/find-a-foodbank

Food donations

If you would like to donate to a local food bank listed above then these are the top 10 items that are most needed:

1. Tinned meat (curry, chilli, meat balls)
2. Tinned potatoes
3. Long life milk
4. Cereal
5. Rice and pasta
6. Tea and coffee
7. Tinned vegetables
8. Tinned fish
9. Biscuits
10. Hygiene and baby products