Kent Connect to Support

Your health and wellbeing

Maintaining good health and wellbeing is essential for people of all ages, helping us stay independent, connected, and able to live the lives we choose.

In this section we have brought together links to a wide range of support, from mental health and wellbeing advice, to local community groups, physical activity programmes, social prescribing services, and guidance on healthy lifestyles. These options give you flexible, accessible ways to look after both your physical and emotional wellbeing and to seek help early if needed. Find local groups on our community directory and you can find more information on our main health and wellbeing section.

Staying active

Keeping active is one of the simplest ways to boost both physical and mental wellbeing — helping improve strength, balance, mood, and overall independence. In Kent, there are lots of free and accessible ways to get moving.

  • Everyday Active have a range of information and links to where you can find local walking, cycling, running and other activities. Visit the  Everyday Active website.

  • Active Kent and Medway provides a wide range of options to help people stay active at all ages and abilities, including  community-based classes. Visit the Active Kent and Medway website 
  • One You Kent offers practical support to increase activity levels, from everyday movement to structured programmes. Find out more at One You Kent.

  • Explore Kent have  a range of  outdoor routes, walks and green spaces for all abilities via
    the Explore Kent website.

  • Kent Country Parks offer a diverse collection of 9 stunning parks, each with its own unique character. They provide a variety of activities and events suitable for all ages. These parks are perfect for outdoor learning, team building, and family fun, making them ideal destinations for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Visit the Kent Country Parks website for full details.

  • Park Run is a popular way to meet others and get active in a location near you, visit the Park Run website to find out more.

  • Kent Adult Education have a range of courses and classes for health and wellbeing, find out more on the Kent Adult Education website.

Healthy choices

Living a healthy lifestyle is essential for maintaining energy, preventing illness, and supporting long-term wellbeing. Eating a balanced diet, staying active, getting enough sleep, and reducing habits like smoking or excess alcohol all play a vital role in keeping our bodies and minds functioning at their best. We have more information on our health conditions pages.

In Kent, support is available through One You Kent, which offers free guidance to help people improve their diet, increase physical activity, sleep better, drink less, and stop smoking - giving residents practical tools to build healthier everyday habits. Local exercise groups and activities can be found on our community directory pages, as well as on the Joy directory and some courses are available from Kent Adult Education.

  • Healthy choices. This NHS campaign encourages adults to take simple, proactive steps to improve their health by using the free Healthy Choices Quiz — a quick, five-minute tool that assesses lifestyle habits across six areas: eating, movement, alcohol use, smoking and vaping, mental health, and sleep. The quiz provides an easy-to-understand score and signposts people to trusted NHS digital tools, apps and guidance tailored to their needs, helping them make small, meaningful changes that support long-term wellbeing. Find out more on the NHS Healthy Choices website.

  • Healthy eating, recipes and more can be found on the eat well, live well NHS website pages

  • Quit smoking. When you quit smoking, you'll begin to see almost immediate improvements to your health. It's never too late to quit and it's easier to stop smoking with the right support. There are resources and guidance to help you on the NHS Better Health website.
  • Know your limits on alcohol. Being aware of our alcohol consumption can benefit our overall health and wellbing. Drink Aware have brought together a number of resources to offer advice and support. Visit the Drink Aware website for more information.

  • Sexual health is an essential part of overall wellbeing, helping people stay informed, safe, and in control of their health and relationships. Access to reliable information, testing, contraception, and specialist support - such as local integrated sexual health services - reduces the risk of infections, supports healthy relationships, and empowers individuals to make confident, informed choices. Find out more on the NHS website.

  • SH.UK offer a range of confidential sexual health services to help you stay informed, protected, and in control. From testing and treatment to prevention options like PrEP, explore the full scope of support available to you. Find out more on the SH.UK website.

Wellbeing

Starting with small everyday habits can help you look after your wellbeing. This can include staying active through local walking routes or activities such as those offered on the Everyday Active website, which provides ideas for walking, cycling, group exercise and more. You can also find information on our wellbeing services in the community section. Building social connections can support you, find local groups, activities and support networks through the our Community Directory.

Seeking support for your health and mental wellbeing is an important step in staying well, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or unsure where to turn. Reaching out early - whether to your GP, local mental health services, community groups, or trusted people around you - can help you access practical advice, emotional support, and tools to manage day-to-day challenges. There’s no wrong time to ask for help, and even small conversations can make a big difference in feeling connected, understood and supported. Useful resources include; every mind matters, a directory of resources, tips, advice and guidance about looking after your mental health.

  • Live Well Kent, can refer you onto support and help you may need in relation to managing your mental health. Visit the Live Well Kent,website.

  • Release the Pressure (run by Rethink) offers free, confidential support from trained counsellors. You can call their helpline on 0800 1070 160, text the word SHOUT to 8525, or visit the Rethink website to use their webchat service. You can contact them 24/7, 365 days a year.Visit the Release the Pressure website.

  • Kent and Medway Safe Havens (run by Mental Health Matters) can help when your usual sources of mental health support are closed for the night. They are offering face-to-face support, as well as phone and video calls.\visit the Kent and Medway Safe Havens website.

  • The Samaritans has a free helpline – 116 123. You can also email  jo@samaritans.org.uk and someone will respond within 24 hours. Visit the Samaritans wesbite.

  • NHS Kent and Medway Mental Health helpline – Call 111 and select option 2 for mental health support. Find out more on the Kent and Medway NHS helpline website.
Last updated: 26/03/2026