1. Meet the people using their voice to make a difference to care of others

    News -

    Five people and groups have been shortlisted for a national award that celebrates local people who, through their dedication, have helped improve health and care for their community.

  2. Medway Voluntary Action: How to find local support services

    Advice and Information -

    Find out information on local services and what is available to you through this free information and signposting hub.

  3. What people have told Healthwatch about mental health

    Report -

    For the past three years, mental health has been the number one health and social care issue for the Healthwatch network. Take a look to see what people have told Healthwatch about their experiences.

  4. What people told us about Canada House, Medway

    Report -

    We hear from people all over Medway about community mental health services. Although some of it is positive, the majority are negative stories from people and their Carers. Take a look to see what people have told us about their experiences.

  5. Making your voice heard : Community mental health

    News -

    Between January and March this year, we spoke to 46 patients and 2 carers during our visit to Canada House in Gillingham.

  6. Mental health: Tips for starting the conversation

    Advice and Information -

    When talking about mental health, one of the biggest obstacles is opening the conversation. So here are some tips you can use when a friend, family member or colleague might be struggling with their mental health.

  7. Mental health and the journey to parenthood: Zoe's story

    Blog -

    After a traumatic birth, Zoe struggled to get the support she needed to prepare for the arrival of her second baby. She shares her story about the impact this had on her mental health, and how she’d like things to be different for other mums.

  8. State of the Nation by the Care Quality Commission

    News -

    Today the Care Quality Commission have published their State of the Nation report which is their annual assessment of health and social care services across the country.

  9. Men, how are you out of 10?

    News -

    A club run by the Sunlight Development Trust is here for you to know you’re not alone. 

  10. Driving improvements to community mental health

    Report -

    Recently we have revisited the Community Mental Health clinics to see what changes have been made since our first reports.

  11. Coronavirus is affecting my mental health – what can I do?

    Advice and Information -

    The current Coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic may cause you to feel worried, anxious, or scared. Read our seven steps to looking after your wellbeing while staying informed.

  12. New mental health crisis support Helpline launched in Medway

    News -

    A new 24 hour Helpline has been launched to support people who need urgent help with their mental health in Medway

  13. Your experience of adult autism could help in Medway

    News -

    If you, or someone you know, has autism and lives in Medway; your thoughts and feedback could help develop a better service for adults who are living with Autism in Medway.

  14. Top Tips for lockdown health and well being

    Advice and Information -

    Many more people are suffering from anxiety, low mood or just feel ‘plain fed up’ because of the pandemic and the lockdown restrictions. This can often make us feel tired and can affect our enthusiasm for doing almost anything.

  15. Have you, or someone you care for experienced a mental health crisis?

    News -

    The Kent and Medway CCG are looking to improve mental health crisis care. They have created a short survey to hear about the experiences of people who have suffered a mental health crisis, or care for someone who has.

  16. Someone I love has died - where can I find support?

    Advice and Information -

    It can be tough at any time to lose someone, but particularly hard during a pandemic when you can feel more alone than usual.

    Take a look at our article on the organisations and groups that can support you if you’re grieving.

  17. Have you ever thought about using Talking Therapies? Maybe you think it might help you, but you’re not sure how?

    News -

    This is your opportunity to have your say about how the Talking Therapy service in Medway currently works and how it could be improved for the future.

  18. What's it like to be homeless in Medway?

    Report -

    We chatted to five women, and three men, about their experience of being homeless in Medway. They want you to hear their story.

  19. Have you been a patient at Ruby Ward in Medway, or care for someone who has?

    News -

    Would you be willing to share your experience?

  20. Share your experience of moving from child to adult mental health services

    News -

    Your story could really help to improve the experience for other people in Kent & Medway.

  21. Changes to inpatient mental health services

    News -

    Plans have been published to move inpatient mental health beds from Medway to a new, purpose built facility in Maidstone. Now is the time to share your thoughts on the proposals.

  22. Have you used community health services such as Live Well or Release the Pressure?

    News -

    Now is the chance to share your thoughts about these services. Your feedback will help to shape the future of these services.

  23. Join a meeting to hear more about plans for inpatient mental health services

    News -

    Join an online meeting to hear more about the proposal to relocate Ruby Ward from Medway Maritime Hospital to a new purpose-built unit next to Maidstone Hospital.

  24. What should I expect after being referred for mental health support?

    Advice and Information -

    Your mental wellness is as important as your physical health but seeking help can be daunting. Here's what to expect when you seek support for your mental health.

  25. Would you like to improve community mental health services?

    News -

    Maybe you could help us make it happen?

  26. How are you really feeling?

    Advice and Information -

    aaand breathe. Are you stressed, anxious or depressed? You’re not alone.

  27. What's it like to be diagnosed with Complex Emotional Difficulties?

    News -

    Nearly 6% of adults in Medway & Kent are thought to have Complex Emotional Difficulties. We chatted with Steve about his own diagnosis and his work to involve people to improve the support available for people like him in Medway and Kent.

  28. How was your last visit to the community mental health service?

    News -

    Have you been to Britton House in Gillingham recently (or any other community mental health service) Did you get the support that you needed?
    What would have made your experience better?

  29. How has lockdown affected people's mental health and dignity?

    News -

    New research highlights the challenges faced by health and social care services in England and the importance of feedback for improving care.

  30. Read our scrutiny of the public consultation on Ruby Ward

    Report -

    One of our statutory responsibilities is to act as a critical friend on public consultations. Our role is to ensure people have been involved and listened to as part of any public consultation.

  31. More needs to be done to ensure people with a learning disability, mental ill health or autism get the right care at the right time. Do you agree?

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission has today published a report highlighting the lack of progress since their 2020 ‘Out of sight – who cares?’ report.

  32. 9 million people in the UK are lonely right now. Are you one of them?

    News -

    Everyone can feel lonely at some point in their life.

  33. It’s ok to not be ok

    Advice and Information -

    How are you, really? Are you ok?

    Perhaps you can't quite put your finger on it, but you're not feeling like yourself.

    Are you feeling more tired or more emotional?

    Maybe you don’t want to do the things that you usually enjoy.

  34. Do you have an idea of how to improve the mental health of your community?

    News -

    Funding is available for projects that support the mental health of your community but you need to act quick : the deadline for applications is 9am August 1st.

  35. Take a moment on World Mental Health Day

    Advice and Information -

    We all have 'mental health', just as we all have 'physical health'. And just like our physical health, we can all have times when our mental health is better than others.

  36. Cast your vote to decide a new name for the mental wellbeing service

    News -

    Thousands of us use the IAPT service every month to help us deal with anxiety and depression, but few of us actually know what IAPT stands for. You can help to change that.

  37. Listening to people's thoughts about a new Mental Health Assessment & Counselling service for Medway

    Report -

    Conversations are taking place about a possible new mental health and counselling service in Medway, The proposal would see a new service in place within Medway Hospital to support people who arrive with mental health issues.

  38. It’s Time to Talk about Mental Health

    Advice and Information -

    We need to look after both our mental and physical health.

  39. Have you experienced a mental health crisis?

    News -

    Has urgent help become essential to support in the management of your life?

    If this has meant you have been on Section 136 we would value your thoughts.

  40. Have you or those you know experienced a mental health crisis?

    Advice and Information -

    Across February and March, the NHS are holding Forums attended by a Lead NHS Officer to understand the experience of Crisis services in Kent. These Forums are to guide changes and improvements, with interest in those who have been on Section 136.

  41. What is SAD, and how can you manage it?

    Advice and Information -

    Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression triggered by seasonal changes. One in twenty people in the UK are diagnosed with the condition, with men more likely to be diagnosed with SAD than women.

  42. What have we heard about how people are being supported with their mental health?

    Report -

    As many of you are aware we work closely with Mental Health Voice (MHV) and the 4 Local Mental Health Networks (LMHNs) based around each Health and Care Partnership area.

  43. How people feel about living in Medway - Strood report

    Report -

    This year Healthwatch Medway is making their way around all areas of Medway speaking to residents about what they like and dislike about their area.
    In June we have been in Strood.

  44. Mental Health Support for Children and Young People

    Advice and Information -

    In this helpful article we have compiled a list of wellbeing and mental health support services for children and young people. If you are struggling, looking for support or just wanting to find what is available in your local area for health and wellbeing support, you're in the right place!

  45. Help improve services for Medway residents

    News -

    The Public Health team at Medway Council are asking people who live in Medway about their wellbeing in order to help them to improve local services.

  46. Your COVID-19 story

    News -

    We want to hear how the Coronavirus is affecting you and your family. Tell us your story, no matter how small, and we can use it to identify any gaps in services

  47. Your community needs you – NHS call for volunteer army

    News -

    Your community needs you – NHS call for volunteer army

  48. What services are still available during the pandemic?

    News -

    Many of Medway’s health & social care services are still operating albeit in a slightly different way.

  49. Coronavirus Information for Long Term Conditions

    Advice and Information -

    If you, or someone in your family has a long term health condition, it can be tricky to know what to do. We are here to help.

  50. What is Healthwatch doing to help right now?

    News -

    Everyone has been thinking about how they can help during the Corona epidemic. Here is a snapshot of what the Healthwatch Medway team has been doing.