Councillors and volunteers are playing a crucial role in our response to the coronavirus.
I’ve been truly impressed at the scale and speed of the response here in Faversham and Mid Kent, from our County Council to parishes and community groups, charities and local businesses.
Below are some key contacts and information to support people through this difficult time.
Kent County Council
News and information here. For business support contact 03333 602300.
If you are vulnerable and have an urgent need that cannot be met through existing support networks, you can contact the Kent Together helpline on 03000 41 92 92 or visit the website here. It's a 24 hour service.
Information on Test and Trace, including symptom-free testing can be found here (if you have coronavirus symptoms, you should book a test here).
Information on schools and supporting remote learning can be found here.
Maidstone Borough Council
News and information here.
Specific advice for businesses can be found here.
Swale Borough Council
News and information here.
Any organisations requiring support or offering support should contact [email protected].
Businesses can sign up for updates from Swale by emailing [email protected]. Check the website for updates here.
Kent and Medway Growth Hub
News and information here. For free business support and advice call 01233 225447.
Businesses can sign up for updates on latest grants, funding and initiatives here.
Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group
News and information here.
Information on Covid vaccine rollout can be found here.
Parish/Community groups
Bearsted
A volunteer group has been set up and there are now almost 250 volunteers covering the whole area, ready to offer to support at this time. Contact [email protected] or 07851 941935 or search ‘Bearsted CVD19 Help Team’ on Facebook.
Boughton Monchelsea
A network has been set up by the Parish Council to support those that need supplies etc. during self-isolation. Contact [email protected] or 01622 744969 or visit the Parish Council website here.
Chart Sutton
Chart Sutton Parish Council has set up a 'Community Together Initiative' to support those in isolation/in need. A team of volunteers are in place for shopping, collection of prescriptions, dog walking, telephone support etc. Please contact Cllr Mike FitzGerald by email [email protected] or on 01622 743270.
Detling
A team of volunteers are in place to help with dog walking, medicine collections and anything else they can help with. Contact [email protected] or search ‘Simply Detling’ on Facebook.
The Detling Village Community Store is also taking orders over the phone and undertaking home deliveries via volunteers leaving items on doorsteps. Contact 01622 631305 or search ‘Detling Community Shop’ on Facebook.
Downswood and Otham
A support group has been set up by residents offering assistance to those in isolation. Contact [email protected] or search ‘Covid-19 Mutual Aid Downswood and Otham’ on Facebook.
Faversham
A group for Faversham people to adopt a street and support residents who are self-isolating during the coronavirus outbreak has been set up. For more information, search 'Covid-19 Mutual Aid Faversham' on Facebook.
Harrietsham
News and information here.
Lenham
Harrietsham and Lenham Parish Residents Association have set up a volunteer network to help with collecting food and medicines, or just providing a friendly "listening ear". Contact [email protected] or 01622 859412.
Maidstone
A group of volunteers has set up to help people in and around Maidstone at this time. Volunteers are on hand to help vulnerable and elderly people with shopping, picking up prescriptions or even a just friendly call. You can find more on the Facebook Group Page- Covid-19 Mutual Aid Maidstone.
Selling
Selling Parish Council are setting up a support scheme to help local residents. Willing volunteers are already offering to help by doing shopping, walking dogs, and making meals. Contact [email protected] or 01227 752840 or visit the Parish Council website here.
Stockbury
A volunteer group is being organised. Contact 07551 454702 (if the call is unable to be answered, someone will call back).
Sutton Valence
The Parish Council is setting up a group to help residents. Contact 01622 844135 or [email protected].
Ulcombe
A group of residents have organised a Covid-19 Helpline. The aim is to help people in Ulcombe that need to self-isolate obtain essential supplies. The helpline has several volunteers that can deliver shopping, pick up prescriptions, etc. Contact 01622 842875 or [email protected] or [email protected].
For more information about support in your area, there is a postcode search available on the Covid-19 Mutual Aid website here.
Other organisations
Age UK, Maidstone
Contact [email protected] or 01622 753618
Age UK, Faversham & Sittingbourne
Contact [email protected] or 01795 532766
Calls of Friendship
If you or someone you know could do with a friendly chat during lockdown then get in contact with Wendy on 07591 810 673.
Faversham Baptist Church
Offering a shopping service. Contact 01795 531669
West Faversham Community Association
Offering a range of help, including food parcels to people who are self-isolating. More information here or contact 01795 537321
Worley Day Trust, Maidstone
The Trust helps elderly persons in the Maidstone Area. It has funds that can be used for one-off instances of need, where the beneficiary cannot access any statutory assistance to replace or repair essential items. Contact [email protected]
Umbrella, Canterbury
Canterbury Umbrella is actively supporting people who are feeling vulnerable due to their mental health. More information is available on the website here
Food deliveries
Faversham Market
Faversham Market has put together a list of online traders, available here. Other information about local suppliers and businesses can be found on Faversham Unlisted.
Farm shops
I'm aware that the following local farm shops are offering a delivery service:
- Doughtys Butcher (Doddington)
- Macknade Farm Shop (Faversham)
- MB Farms (Stockbury)
Produced in Kent
A list of approved suppliers can be found here.
Wholesalers
The Federation of Wholesale Distributors has set up a website to search for wholesale providers by postcode. Search the website here.
These are useful contacts only and not endorsements.
