1. Feedback about Frank Lloyd Unit in Sittingbourne

    Report -

    We recently met with Carers whose loved ones were being cared for at the Frank Lloyd Unit in Sittingbourne.

    This report details al that they told us.

    We have shared the feedback with the mental health trust.

  2. Community mental health services : what have you told us?

    Report -

    We visited 6 community mental health units in 2018 talking to 86 people about their experience of using the service.

  3. Your vote determines our priorities

    News -

    All this week we are asking people to get involved in our campaign #YourChoiceOurPriority where we give you the power to choose our priorities for the year.
    Over the 7 days we will be asking you to vote for what you think we should prioritise.

  4. Spotlight on Learning Disabilities

    Report -

    In the second of a new series of reports, we have highlighted the feedback we’ve heard from people with learning disabilities.

    Everything we have heard from people is included in the report.

  5. Looking after someone? You're entitled to support

    Advice and Information -

    Most of us will provide care at some point in our lives to ill or disabled loved ones.

  6. 3 alternatives when you can't get GP appointment

    Advice and Information -

    It’s never great when you can’t get a GP appointment in a moment of need

  7. Update on Carers services

    News -

    Last year, we spoke to 158 Carers across Kent about how they were coping. Has anything changed since then?

  8. Focus on Hidden Carers

    Report -

    What's it like being a carer and how much support are you getting? We wanted to make sure people knew what it was like to be a carer in Kent.

  9. Focus on nursing care at home on the Isle of Sheppey

    Report -

    On the Isle of Sheppey, 700 people receive nursing care at home from Virgincare. We wanted to hear what their experience was like.

  10. Help the NHS improve services for children and young people

    News -

    We recently spoke to nearly 300 people in Kent about children and young people’s services. Now the NHS is seeking people to get involved and help shape health and social care services for young people across Kent.

  11. We hear from children and young people

    Report -

    Children and young people from across Kent & Medway have talked to us about their experience of using health and social care services.

  12. Talking about End of Life services

    News -

    We recently had the opportunity to chat with a group of Carers about End of Life services in North Kent.

  13. My life as a carer – one of seven million stories

    Blog -

    Three in five of us will become an unpaid carer at some point in our lives. Kate* tells us about what it was like becoming a carer for her husband and the difficulties they faced.

  14. We want to hear from more people about lockdown. Could you help?

    News -

    It’s really important that we hear how people are coping right now. We can ensure that your feedback can inform emergency planning and help organisations to plan how to get back to 'normal'.

  15. Do you know someone who is helping to look after someone?

    News -

    Many people might normally be caring (albeit informally) for a neighbour or family member. For example, they may usually collect a prescription or do the shopping for someone. They may cook a hot meal for someone regularly.

  16. New phone app to support carers in Kent

    News -

    If you look after someone then the NHS has launched a new phone app to support you called, Help to Care.

  17. What's it like to care for someone during a pandemic?

    News -

    This week is Carers Week. We know that hundreds of people in Kent are looking after someone right now. If you, or someone you know, has found themselves looking after someone during Covid, did you know that there may be support available to you?

  18. Calling daughters who look after their Mums

    News -

    Do you do the shopping for your Mum, or help her get to appointments? Maybe you help in the house or with her personal needs?
    If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

  19. Becoming a carer for the first time in the middle of a pandemic

    News -

    Many people have found themselves looking after someone during lockdown for the first time in their lives. This is never a planned life event and would be hard even during ‘normal’ times.

    Catherine talked to us about her experience.

  20. Looking for those that don't know they need to be found

    Report -

    We know that more people than ever before have been looking after someone during the Covid-19 pandemic.

  21. Do you look after someone who is living with Dementia?

    News -

    Would you be willing to chat about your experience of looking after someone with Dementia to help improve services?

  22. Have you been looked after by the community nursing team?

    News -

    Do you have ideas about what could be improved about the nursing care that you receive at home? Your questions could help inform what researchers should focus on.

  23. The challenge is that my husband won’t remember having the first vaccine

    News -

    People who look after someone at home are now entitled to the Covid vaccine. Penny looks after her husband who has Parkinson's. Both of them have recently been vaccinated for Covid. We spoke to Penny about her experience.

  24. Inspirational women for International Women's Day

    News -

    To celebrate International Women's Day we chatted to the brilliant Katy Styles. We've worked with Katy many times over the years and we know she has inspired many other people too.

  25. "Covid was frightening. I couldn't afford to get ill"

    News -

    We're lucky enough to hear from Carers every week so we know just how brilliant they are and how vital it is that they get the support they need. Today marks the start of Carer's Week, and to celebrate we chatted to Jenny who is a Carer.

  26. Do you look after someone who has recently been discharged from hospital?

    News -

    We'd love to hear from you!

  27. Are you looking after someone? Do you know your rights?

    Advice and Information -

    Each year on November 25th we celebrate a Carers Rights Day.

  28. Social care: What is in the new plan?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what's in the Government's new social care plan and how it compares with what people have told us.

  29. Have your say on Kent's strategy for Carers

    News -

    Nearly 150,000 people are thought to be looking after someone in Kent right now. Many of them may not realise that they are carers.

  30. We chat to the Director of Adult Social Care about Carers

    News -

    We asked Chris McKenzie from Kent County Council, your questions about Kent's adult carers strategy.

  31. New idea to support older people and people with disabilities in Kent to live better at home

    News -

    A new project is being developed by Kent County Council to help support people with disabilities as well as older people in Kent to stay in their own homes and communities.

  32. Do you know someone who could be a young carer?

    Advice and Information -

    Right now, 30,000 young people in Kent are believed to be looking after someone, but not getting any help.

  33. What happens when the person you care for is discharged from hospital?

    Report -

    Around 150,000 people in Kent are looking after someone right now. What happens when the person they care for is discharged from hospital? What support is available? How do they cope?

  34. Can you claim carers support if you have recently moved to the UK?

    Advice and Information -

    The short answer is yes! But it can be complicated so we have more detail for you.

  35. Visible, valued and supported. We LOVE Carers!

    News -

    A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, addiction or who needs extra help as they grow older.

  36. Understanding Care Homes near you

    Advice and Information -

    Having concluded our visits to 15 Care Homes across Kent & Medway talking to residents, their families and staff about the Enhanced Health in Care Home programme we have now completed our stakeholder facing report and have now shared our findings with Aging Well.

  37. Are you a carer? Are you getting the help and support available? 

    News -

    In the UK it is believed seven million people are voluntarily providing care and/or support to family and/or friends. And that many of these are either not accessing or are not aware of the help and support available to them. 

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

    News -

    Protect your loved ones and protect the nation, volunteer to help those that are most vulnerable to the effects of coronavirus (COVID-19) stay at home. Join the army of NHS volunteers today.

  39. 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

  40. 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.

  41. New Corona Helpline launched in Kent

    News -

    A new 24 hour Helpline has been launched to support people who need urgent help in Kent

  42. What services are still available during the pandemic?

    News -

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

  43. 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 team has been doing.

  44. Planning care at the end of life

    Advice and Information -

    We explain why it’s important to have a plan in place, should you or a loved one become critically ill with coronavirus.

  45. New Emergency Dental Care now available

    News -

    New Urgent Dental Care Centres are being opened to provide emergency dental treatment during the Coronavirus pandemic.

  46. What is domestic abuse and how can I get support?

    Advice and Information -

    If you are experiencing or feel at risk of domestic abuse, or are worried about someone who might be, find out where you can go for advice and help.

  47. How did people cope during lockdown in April?

    Report -

    Since early April, we have been listening to people's stories about lockdown. We wanted to understand how they have been coping.

  48. COVID-19 has disproportionately affected Black and Asian people according to latest PHE report. Tell us your experience

    News -

    Share your story to help Kent services learn and improve from the experiences of people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds during COVID-19.

  49. Do you have a friend or relative in a Care Home right now? Can you tell us your thoughts?

    News -

    This month our spotlight is on Care Homes, as we gather feedback from residents, families and Care Home staff about how Kent’s Care Homes are coping and what lessons have been learnt. We want the positive stories as well as what could be improved.

  50. What's the difference between social distancing, self-isolation and shielding?

    Advice and Information -

    Self-isolation, social distancing and shielding are all new terms that have become part of our daily language. Find out what they mean in practice and what applies to you.