Contact us

If you’re struggling with your mental health, wellbeing or lacking support, you can contact us.

We provide digital and verbal emotional support, resources and coping strategies.
We specialise in the areas of Kent & Medway. We can only support those living in the UK.
Our average response times are ~24 — 48 hours. We are short-staffed at the moment. This is having an impact on response-times so please be patient. See Service Statement.

Start a chat with a trained volunteer

Send us a message

If you like to reflect and write, you can contact us on any of our official social media accounts or by email.

Message us on: Facebook or Instagram.

Write us an email: chat@conversingcare.org

Response time: 24 — 48 hours

Request a callback

If you prefer to talk on the phone, we can do just that.

Send us a message, ask and we’ll give you a ring.

We will arrange a date and time which is most suitable for you and the volunteer.

Response time: 24 — 72 hours

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.

More about our services

Who can contact Conversing Care?

If you live in the UK, 18 years old or older and struggling with your wellbeing, you can contact Conversing Care.

However, as we are local to Maidstone and know our communities well, we can support you better if you live in Kent or Medway.

How can you help me?

Emotional support can help people in all sorts of ways. The main response we get is, “I needed to offload” or “Process” something which is personally very difficult.

We may not always hold the answers but our volunteers will never judge you and are always willing to listen to anything which is on your mind.

We help people better manage their difficulties by:

Being consistent and accessible with our approach, so our service users feel they have support from another person who cares for their wellbeing.
Listening to them, acknowledging what they’re struggling with and being responsive to their needs.
Being resourceful with coping strategies and tools individuals can use to feel more confident in being robust and resilient to their problems.

When will I get a response?

When we begin operations, we will respond within 24 hours, 365 days a year.

If we’re experiencing high demand and we don’t meet our 24 hour target, don’t panic. We will always respond as soon as a volunteer becomes available.

Please feel free to contact us again if there is a time breach or contact us in another way.

Who will I speak to?

Everyone at Conversing Care are trained volunteers, dedicating their time to support others who are struggling.

We are all trained in different communication skills, have experience in the Health & Social Care sector and have robust procedures in place to support anyone needing emotional care.

All volunteers are police checked, vetted and monitored, so you can be rest assured the person you will be speaking to at Conversing Care is a decent, well-rounded individual who genuinely cares about you and your wellbeing.

Haven’t quite found what you’re looking for? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.

Did you know..

1 in 3 of our users will express thoughts of wanting to harm themselves.
Just under 2/3’s of our callers mention they have a history with self harm and suicide attempts.
90% of services users express poor or inadequate social support and medical treatment.

Volunteer your time

Donate today

Write an email

You can complete the form below and a trained volunteer will respond to provide emotional support.

Please don’t send junk or promotional emails.
The more information you provide, the more we can support you.

Response time: 24 — 48 hours

Feedback

All feedback, both good and bad, goes a long way in helping us correct errors and develop a caring and informative service.

For all feedback enquiries, please visit the Feedback page.

Working together

If you are a local charity or business who would like to consider link working, we’re totally up for that!

Email info@conversingcare.org for all business and promotional queries.

National Crisis Helplines

NHS 111 (Select Mental Health Option)

Call: 111 and select the mental health option (Option 2 in some areas).
What it’s for: Urgent mental health support, advice and connection to local crisis services. This is a primary point of contact if you’re experiencing a mental health crisis but are not in immediate physical danger.
Note: If you are deaf or have hearing loss, use NHS 111 – SignVideo or dial 18001 111 (for Textphone).

Samaritans

Call: 116 123 (Free, 24/7)
Email: jo@samaritans.org (Response within 24 hours)
What it’s for: Confidential emotional support for anyone experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts.

Shout Crisis Text Line

Text: Send the word “SHOUT” to 85258 (Free, 24/7)
What it’s for: Confidential text-based support if you’re in crisis and need immediate help.

Kent & Medway Crisis Support Services

Release the Pressure Helpline

Call: 0800 107 0160 (Free, 24/7)
Text: Send the word “Kent” or “Medway” to 85258 (Free, 24/7)
What it’s for: A confidential helpline for anyone in Kent and Medway feeling distressed, anxious or down. Staffed by a team of highly trained and experienced support workers.

Kent and Medway Safe Havens (by Mental Health Matters)

What it’s for: Safe Havens offer free, walk-in mental health support in a welcoming, non-clinical environment, sometimes known as ‘crisis cafes’. They provide face-to-face support, as well as phone and video calls.

Safe Haven Locations and Addresses

Ashford Safe Haven

Open: Monday-Sunday, 6.30pm-11.30pm

Address: Ashford Safe Haven, The Paula Carr Centre, William Harvey Hospital, Kennington Rd, Willesborough, Ashford TN24 0LZ

Website: Visit Service Page

Canterbury Safe Haven

Open: Monday-Sunday, 6pm-11pm

Address: 22-23 North Lane, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7EE

Website: Visit Service Page

Dartford Safe Haven

Open: Monday-Sunday, 6pm-11pm

Address: 18 Hythe Street, Dartford, DA1 1BX