Health & Independent Living
Ashford Gateway provides access to a wide range of health services.
General Health
For information on Kent and Medway NHS and the Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT services:
- GPs, dentists, pharmacies, opticians
- Hospitals
- Health information
- Patient Advice Liaison Service (PALS)
For more information visit Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT or Kent and Medway NHS
Smoking Cessation - FREE Stop Smoking Service
If you want to stop smoking, or are thinking about it, the NHS has a free Stop Smoking Service. Stop smoking advisors work in GP surgeries, pharmacies and many other venues, daytimes and evening. There is a free service at the Ashford Gateway on a Wednesday 2pm to 5pm.
Up to 12 weeks NRT (patches, gums, etc.) is available for one prescription fee as part of the programme, and is FREE is you are exempt form prescription charge.
To find out more, you can:
For more information about the service visit the Smoking Cessation website. You can phone us on 0800 849 4444 to arrange an appointment or email us at: ecksmokefree@nhs.net
Support for people with ME
If you have ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) or care for someone that does, the Forget ME Nots group can provide you with support and friendship.
We can offer access to help and information at our drop-in sessions in the Gateway, held on the second Friday of each month from 11am to 12 noon and the fourth Friday of each month 1.30pm to 3pm.
For more information, phone the helpline on 07875 144661 or email theforgetmenots@aol.com.
Employment opportunities for disadvantaged people
The Kent Supported Employment service offers support to both employers and workers.
As a worker, you can get advice, guidance and support in finding the right job for you. This includes:
- help with searching and applying for jobs
- tips on interview skills and one-to-one support
- advice on writing CVs
- advice on benefits
- matching hours to suit your needs
Employers can benefit from:
- exceptional service and support
- the right person for the job
- one-to-one tailored support
- disability training and awareness sessions
- advice and guidance on government incentives and schemes
Come in and speak to our advisors – they are available in the Gateway every Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 4pm.
For more information about the service, visit the Kent Supported Employment website.
Leading a healthier life
Health trainers can work with you to find ways of leading a more healthy and happy life. This could include:
- eating healthy food and shopping on a budget
- stopping smoking
- being more active
- feeling good about yourself
Our health trainers spend time with you one-to-one and:
- give free guidance and support
- go with you to new places and groups
They even speak a number of different languages and can sign.
Health trainers are available in the Gateway on a Monday 10am to 12.30pm.
For more information, visit the Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT website or call freephone 0800 849 4000 (calls made from a mobile phone may be charged).
Substance misuse
Social Services Substance Misuse Care Management Service
The team is based in Whitstable and offer a service to people living in Faversham, Canterbury, Thanet, Shepway, Ashford and Tenterden.
Clients with substance misuse problems are offered a confidential assessment of there needs and offered advice, information and introduction to other organisations which offer help/support.
Services which could be offered if appropriate are funding for community or residential rehabilitation, general advocacy and support with social/practical difficulties.
The team work with other agencies to provide a service to individuals who may have additional difficulties such as mental health problems or disability in addition to their substance misuse problem.
Also the team offer liaison working with other agencies and carer assessments for people who care for people with substance misuse problems.
We offer a free drop in service at the Ashford Gateway on a Wednesday 10am to 1pm. .
People with substance misuse problems can get a confidential assessment of their needs from the Substance Misuse Team.
Visit the Kent Drug and Alcohol Action Team website for more information about the help available.
Helping disabled people live independently
If you are disabled and having difficulties with your day-to-day requirements, speak to the advisors from the Centre for Independent Living (CiLK).
The organisation is run by disabled people and you can talk to them about your problems. They will be able to give you access to the most up-to-date information that will help you live independently.
Advisors are available in the Gateway every first and last Thursday of the month from 11am and 3pm.
Visit the CiLK website for more information about the help available.
Social Services Direct Payments
What are direct payments?
Direct Payments are local council payments to people who have been assessed as needing help from social services. They are designed for people who would like to arrange and pay for their own care and support services instead of receiving them directly from the local council.
With a direct payment you are in control of the support you receive and how your needs are met.
What can direct payments be used for?
The money is for you to buy the support, services and/or equipment which meet the needs Kent County Council has assessed you as having. You can be flexible about how you spend your direct payment as long as what you buy meets you assessed social care needs. For example, you can use it to buy
- Personal or domiciliary care and respite care
- to employ someone to provide support in a way that suits you; or
- to go to an activity during the day
You cannot use it buy:
services or support that are not related to your assessed need
- any service provided by Kent County Council
- long term residential
Kent Card:
The Kent Card is a new,secure and convenient way of receiving your direct payment. It's easy to use and you do not need to set up and manage a separate bank account. The card is a chip and pin visa and works in the same way as a VISA debit card. It can be used to pay a personal assistant and makes record keeping easier.
You can find out more about Direct Payments and Kent Card at are website or by phoning the direct payments helpline on 0845 365 0210
Information on menatl health
Rethink East Kent Carer Support Service.
The service provides information on mental health and carer's issues. We offer one-to-one individual support to carers supporting family members, friends or neighbours with a mental illness. Rethink covers Ashford, Dover, Deal, Folkestone, Thanet and Canterbury & coastal areas, or surrounding villages.
We also offer carer group meetings in Thanet, Herne Bay, Canterbury, Folkestone areas and in Ashford at the Ashford Gateway on the 3rd Thursday of the month 2pm to 3.30pm.
Visit the Rethink website for more information about the help available.