Thank you for using Care Chat.
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably contacted Conversing Care and awaiting for a response from a trained volunteer.
Please read the following information if you’re using our service for the first time.
If you haven’t made contact with us yet, please see the Contact Us page. There, you’ll find all our contact details and what to expect.
What is Care Chat?
Care Chat is a free and confidential emotional support service for those living in the Kent & Medway area, struggling to cope with life in some way.
Which ever way you contact us, a trained volunteer will reply within 24 hours.
During very busy times or depending on volunteer availability, it can take us longer to reply.
Our volunteers provide confidential listening support, coping strategies and signposting. As well as supporting you on whatever personal development journey you’re on.
Are you struggling right now?
If you’re feeling unsafe or experiencing suicidal thinking, please visit the Urgent Help page now to find what actions you need to take.
Who can use Care Chat?
The criteria for using Care Chat is as follows:
- You are 18 years old or older,
- You live in the Kent & Medway area,
- You are struggling with your mental health, need help on improving your wellbeing or finding life events challenging.
If you don’t meet our criteria, we will redirect you to another service. We won’t just abandon you.
What we CAN do ✅
- Listen to what you have to say.
- Help you talk through a problem.
- Identify wellbeing needs.
- Develop healthier coping strategies and set achievable goals.
What we CAN’T do ❌
- We won’t tell you what to do or how you should live your life.
- Provide medical support or treatment.
- Tell you how to use prescribed medication.
Why am I waiting for a response?
We are a start-up charity with limited resources.
We always try to respond to every contact within 24 hours.
- However, we are very sensitive to peak-times like evenings and weekends. We also need to make sure we connect you with the most appropriate volunteer with the right skill-set to best support you.
- This is complicated stuff so please be patient with us.
- You are more than welcome to contact us again after 48 hours so the responding volunteer has the most up-to-date information on your situation.
Housekeeping
- Please be respectful: Our volunteers give up their free time to listen and support you. They don’t want to be disrespected when all they want to do is help.
- Abuse, bullying and threats: Any threats of violence or abusive behaviour towards us will not be tolerated. Communication will be blocked immediately and reported if necessary.
- Please don’t waste our time: If you arrange a conversation or a follow-up appointment, we expect you to commit to that. Otherwise, please contact us to cancel so that time can be reallocated.
- Confidentiality and note taking: Everything you say stays between us. We do take notes of every conversation so we can keep track of our work and to be able to resource the support we’re providing you.
- Safeguarding: The only time we share information outside of Conversing Care is if you have asked us to contact another service on your behalf or we need to safeguard someone else from serious harm. Find out how we protect your privacy.