Community
Ashford Gateway provides access to a wide range of community services.
If you need help or advice concerning the welfare of yourself or others, call the County Duty Service on 08458 247 247.
Duty officers can offer assistance if:
- children need protection
- families are under stress
- children are seriously ill or disabled
- people with a disability need advice or support
- people are unable to look after themselves properly
- carers need assistance with caring for vulnerable adults
- adults need protection because they are frightened or worried by something
- older people need help because they are having difficulty looking after themselves and their home
- you need help with accessing Social Services online
They will assess your needs and then refer you to the right teams for more specialist help and advice.
Duty officers are available in the Gateway every Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 5pm and Saturdays from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
Visit the County Duty Service website or call 08458 247 247 for more information about the service.
People with physical and/or sensory disabilities can get help, advice, equipment and adaptations to help you live at home independently and safely.
You can speak to advisors in the Gateway to find out about the different types of equipment or adaptations for your home and to have an initial assessment of your needs.
The Gateway has a fully adapted bathroom and kitchen that gives you a chance to see and use the equipment for yourself.
Ask at the reception desk or call 08458 247 247 and ask to book an appointment to see the equipment at Ashford Gateway.
Visit Kent County Council’s Occupational Therapy website for more information.
You can assess your care needs – or on behalf of someone else - online with Kent County Council’s self-assessment service.
The service is for adults who are finding looking after themselves increasingly difficult. They might be struggling to get in and out of the bath, climb stairs or have difficulty with other aspects of their personal care.
Self-assessment is open to people who live within Kent County Council’s boundary, are 18 years or older and who do not receive any social care support.
Visit Kent County Council’s self-assessment website for more information.
If your partner is hurting you, emotionally or physically, then you can visit our drop-in session to get information and support that will help you make decisions about your future.
You will get advice on legal issues, housing and welfare benefits from representatives from family support, social services, the police, victim support, solicitors, benefits and housing.
Advisors are available in the Gateway on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 12noon to 2pm.
Visit Kent County Council’s domestic violence website for more information.
If you have been affected by crime, you can talk to someone in the Victim Support team in confidence about your experience and find information on police and court procedures.
Advisors have a drop-in session on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.
For more information about the help and support available, visit the Victim Support website
Connexions offers information, advice and guidance for all young people aged between 13 and 19 years old, and for young people up to 25 years old if they have a learning difficulty or disability.
A Connexions officer will be in the Gateway every Thursday from 9am to 1pm to discuss issues such as:
- carers
- employment
- training
- leisure
- health
Visit the Connexions website for more information about their services or call 01233 647862.
JobCentre Plus advisors help:
- more people into paid work
- employers fill their vacancies
- give people of working age the help and support they are entitled to if they cannot work
Visit the JobCentre Plus website for more information and to find your nearest office.