Race and Ethnicity Support
Community Groups in Kent
Medway African and Caribbean Association (MACA)
MACA works with local people and organisations in Medway to celebrate and raise awareness of African and Caribbean culture. They run arts, education, and social programmes that help people feel included, valued, and connected to their community.
They also offer friendly weekly sessions for older adults:
- Tuesdays, 1–4pm
- Sunlight Centre, Gillingham ME7 1LZ
- £4 per session (includes refreshments)
MACA also supports young people through Young People United (YPU), a youth group for ages 6 to 24 that helps build confidence, creativity, and community.
Ashford BME Association
Ashford BME Association supports refugees, asylum seekers, and ethnic minority communities in Kent and Newcastle. They aim to reduce social isolation and help people feel included by offering language classes, mental health support, skills training, and cultural events. Their services are tailored to respect different backgrounds and help individuals build confident, independent lives.
Families in Harmony
This group supports kinship carers of African, Caribbean, and Black Mixed Heritage children in South London, Kent, and Surrey. It offers peer support, cultural activities, advocacy, and parenting workshops, and welcomes both Black carers and non-Black carers raising Black or mixed-heritage children.
For more details, visit the Families in Harmony website
National Support
Race and Ethnicity Support & Advocacy
African Families in the UK – training and support for African families in the UK
Spark & Co – community interest company that provides support and education for black and minority groups
Support Line – director of agencies that provide advice, support and information for ethnic minority groups
The Angelou Centre – provides holistic model of support for black and ethnic minority women, children and young survivors of domestic and sexual violence
The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network - Online directory of qualified therapists experienced in working with the distinctive African, Caribbean and Asian experience.
Barnardo’s Bolah – A Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic family helpline and webchat service
Rights, Discrimination and Workplace Support
ACAS – guidance about race discrimination in the workplace
Equality and Human Rights Commission – guidance on race discrimination
TUC – Working rights in the UK available in multiple languages.
Faith and Cultural Community Support
Muslim Community Helpline- National organisation providing listening and emotional support service for members of the Muslim community in the UK.
On Your Side- A free support and reporting service for East and Southeast Asian communities who experience racism or any forms of hate
Sharan- Support for South Asian women who have experienced abuse, forced marriage, honour-based violence, or have been disowned by their families. They offer confidential, culturally sensitive support and help women build independent lives.
Muslim Youth Helpline- offers confidential, faith- and culturally-sensitive mental health support for young Muslims across the UK. They provide a free helpline, webchat, and email service, available daily from 4pm to 10pm, to help young people feel heard, supported, and empowered
Refugee, Asylum & Migrant Support
Open University – free online courses specifically for Afghan Re-Settlers
Refugee Council – advice and support for refugees and asylum seekers
Safety4Sisters - for those fleeing domestic abuse with immigration issues and have no recourse to public funds
Kent Refugee Action Network - supports unaccompanied asylum-seeking and refugee young people aged 16–24 in Kent by providing education, mentoring, advocacy, and life skills training to help them integrate and thrive
Useful contacts and information
My community voice
My Community Voice is a way to be updated by Kent Police about the issues that matter to you. Unlike social media, My Community Voice is a secure and personal messaging system that allows you to determine what type of messages you receive and how.
Kent County Council's stance on diversity, equity and inclusion:
Equality, diversity and inclusion - Kent County Council
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) offers confidential advice, support and information on health-related matters.
They provide a point of contact for patients, their families and their carers.
PALS can give you information about: