Kent Connect to Support

Connecting with the community

Being part of the local community means having access to groups, activities, and organisations that
support wellbeing, reduce isolation, and help build meaningful social connections. This information signposts a wide range of opportunities, from social groups and community activities to volunteering
and local support networks.

Making it easier for people to stay active, informed, and engaged in their local area.
You can explore community organisations and groups through the Community Directory, find out how
to get involved in social care involvement groups, or browse wider wellbeing information on the main Connect to Support site.

Support Groups and Services

There is a range of community groups and support networks for people of all ages and backgrounds.

  • Age UK provides services across the county to help older people make the most of later life, with support ranging from social groups to practical help. Visit theAge UK website.

  • Involve Kent is a community‑led charity offering holistic health and wellbeing support, helping people stay connected, independent and well visit the Involve Kent website for more information.

  • Men’s Sheds offer friendly, practical community spaces where men can socialise, learn skills and boost their wellbeing visit Men's Sheds.

  • Talk Club supports men’s mental health through regular talking groups that help build openness and resilience, with sessions proven to increase mental fitness by over 15%, visit Talk Club.

  • Warm Welcome Spaces provide free, friendly places to connect with others over a cuppa, helping reduce isolation and offering year‑round community support.
    Find out more at Warm Welcome.

  • Support for bereavement, Cruse is a national organisation helping people with bereavement support, information advice and guidance. Visit the Cruse website.

  • Feeling creative? Find clubs, local groups and places to share and develop your skills on our community directory.

  • Recognising and dealing with loneliness. The Marmalade Trust offer information, advice and guidance on dealing with loneliness  - visit the Marmalade Trust website.
     
Other useful pages on this site
 

For LGBTQ+ wellbeing, visit our pages offering information, safe spaces, and links to local organisations supporting adults across Kent.

Support is also available for race and ethnicity groups, bereavement, and armed forces veterans, through dedicated local directories and community organisations.

Find more on our community directory.

Community Information

There are several online directories that can help you quickly find services, community activities and support organisations.

These include:

  • Kent Connect to Support community directory, which brings together local services, information, and advice to help people stay independent and well. Find groups, services and activities in your area.

  • Kent County Council community directory, lists services, groups and activities aimed a wide range of ages and abilities. It includes sections dedicated to the Kent Family Hub, Special Educational Needs (SEND) Local Offer and a community directory.

  • Joy is a national directory of community services and local groups. It allows you to refer yourself to organisations. Visit Joy.

  • The Kent Care Services Directory is your guide to choosing and paying for care in Kent. It contains an overview of the local authority's role in helping you find care and provides a list of local Kent care services and care homes.

  • Live Well Kent is a free service for anyone aged 17+ in Kent and Medway, offering support to improve mental and physical wellbeing. The Live Well Kent website brings together a wide network of local charities and community organisations, helping people access advice on money, housing, relationships, employment, and everyday living.

  • Find your local parish council. There are  many groups and activities at local halls and community hubs across the county.

  • Find your local pharmacy
  • Find a dentist
  • Find a GP

Community safety

Keeping safe in the community starts with being aware of your surroundings and staying connected to people and places you trust. Simple steps like letting someone know where you’re going, keeping your mobile charged, and choosing well‑lit, busy routes can make a big difference.

Trust your instincts, seek help if something doesn’t feel right, and make use of local support services and community groups that offer guidance, safe spaces, and practical advice.
Read our tips on being safe.

  • My Community Voice is a messaging service that helps Kent and Medway residents, businesses, and community groups to keep in touch with their local policing teams. The service sends updates about your local area directly from the police officers themselves. My Community Voice is more than just a messaging service; it allows you to reply to the alerts we send you, share information and tell us about the issues affecting you.

  • Assistive technology can help keep you safe both at home and out in the community by providing simple, reliable tools that offer reassurance and quick access to support. Devices like fall detectors, GPS trackers, emergency call alarms, and in‑home sensors can alert trusted contacts or monitoring services if something goes wrong, helping you get help faster. These technologies are designed to fit around your daily life, giving you more confidence to stay independent while knowing that support is always within reach. Visit our pages on Technology Enhanced Lives.

  • Adult safeguarding is protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect and to make choices about what happens in your life.

    Abuse occurs when someone exploits another person or treats them in a way that harms or hurts them. It can happen once or on multiple occasions. People who abuse are not always strangers. They can also be: partners, relatives, a friend, neighbour or carer. Abuse is always wrong and it can happen to anyone and anywhere. Find out more about adult safeguarding and how to report concerns.

  • Find local policing services in your area.

 

Last updated: 26/03/2026