Voluntary & Charitable Services
Ashford Gateway provides access to a wide range of information about voluntary and charitable services.
Citizens Advice Bureau
The Citizens Advice service will help people resolve their debt and housing problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice. Come in and speak to an advisor at the Gateway every Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 9.30am to 12.30pm.
For all other enquiries please contact our offices at Norwood Street, Ashford.
For more information about the Bureau visit the Citizens Advice Bureau website.
Volunteering opportunities in Ashford
If you have some free time, you could spend it volunteering in a number of areas, including:
- animals
- elderly
- emergency services
- mentoring
- sports and outdoor activities
For more more information visit the Ashford Gateway between 10am and 3pm on Monday or Tuesday to find out what opportuinites are available, visit the Volunteering Ashford website, call 01233 665535 or email admin@volunteering-ashford.org. Potential volunteers can also register and choose volunteering opportunities on the website Do- It.
Voluntary Action of Kent's Elders
Helps to support local residents to remain independent in their communities. Advice is available through the Voluntary Action of Kent's Elders (INVOKE) project. There is an information directory, available at the Gateway that contains information on:
- aids and equipment
- benefits and money
- bereavement
- care services
- care homes
- residential homes
- health
- legal matters
- leisure activities
- social clubs
- support groups
- trades people
- transport and volunteering
Visit Kent County Council's website to find out more about the INVOKE project or speak to your local Community Information Liaison Officer on 01233 646536.
Advice on Ashford’s access issues
Ashford Access Group helps the whole community to gain access to the borough and its services. In mainly concerns disabled access but everybody benefits from a well-planned environment – mothers with young children, elderly people and people with mobility problems.
A representative from the group is available in the Gateway every Wednesday from 12noon to 2pm and the last Saturday of each month from 9am to 12noon to help with the following:
- access audits or advice on access issues for businesses, schools, village halls
- assist people who may be experiencing difficulties with the built environment
- signpost you to specialist advice
For more information, call the Ashford Access Group on 01233 623887 or email ashfordaccess@aol.com.
Support for carers
Ashford Carers’ Support is a charity that provides support and information to carers to make their life easier and that of the person they are caring for.
They also give carers the chance to meet with other carers.
Visit the Ashford Carers’ Support website for more information, call 01233 664393 or email management@carers-ashford.org
Deaf and hard of hearing services
Staff from Hi-Kent, a registered charity for deaf and hard of hearing people, run sessions in the Gateway on Mondays and Thursdays from 10.30am to 12.30pm where you can:
- access Hi-Kent’s online shop
- book sign language and deaf awareness courses
- have your NHS hearing aid cleaned, re-tubed or batteries replaced
Visit the Hi Kent website for more information about their services, call 01622 691151 (minicom 01622 687187) or email enquiries@hikent.org.uk.