Welcome
Welcome to the second edition of the West Kent Recovery newsletter. We will be keeping you up to date with West Kent’s information, news and events along with stories and some creativity from staff, volunteers and people that use our service.
- By unknown
Natalie's story
Hi all,
My name is Natalie, a Recovery Support Volunteer for Change Grow Live. I wanted to share my recovery journey with you all. My drug use started from a domestic violent relationship and my escapism was heroin.
I was a rather troubled young woman who had experienced a lot of trauma and used heroin for 12 years. During that period, I lost everything - even my home at one point. When I was at my lowest, I realised I couldn't go any lower and whilst I was sitting smoking heroin on my own, I thought to myself, “What am I doing, why am I self-destructing? What am I lacking in my life so much in my life that I need to drug myself to live?” From that, my mindset started to change and it’s like a light bulb lit up in my head. I wanted to change but how after so many years, so I started small.
I started learning new things and taking care of myself and it was like a fire was lit in me once I chose life. I went on a methadone script and managed to come off it within 3 months.
I started to be more kind and forgiving towards myself, putting my energy into positive things. I thought I could use my experiences to help others going through similar things. I applied for a volunteer role at Change Grow Live and got it and haven't looked back since. I never would have dreamt that I would be where I am now in my life. It’s not been easy, but I wanted to show that no matter what you go through change is possible and I hope this inspires change in someone.
A poem by Natalie
Life isn't an easy ride
sit back hold on tight
be the observer
like the eagle in the sky
know what you want
and fly high
spread your wings
and be kind
if you get knocked down
stand up twice as strong
admit where you go wrong
don't get defeated
learn the lessons and stop repeating
nothing stays the same
that's what makes life an interesting game
If you are interested in starting a new journey and becoming a volunteer for Change Grow Live, then please visit our volunteering page to see current opportunities available across the organisation.
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Money saving deals
In this current climate it’s helpful to know where to save money. Martin Lewis is a well-known and experienced money saving expert, you can access the latest deals and vouchers here.
A food bank is a charity that provides food to people who have difficulty buying enough. All food banks operate in slightly different ways. For instance, some will provide a home delivery service for people living in rural areas and those who are unable to get to a food bank. Contact your local food bank to find out how to use it.
Local food banks in your area
Maidstone:
The Vine Church – Shepway Maidstone ME15 6YT (Tel: 0772447379)
Maidstone Food Bank Sunshine Childrens Centre South Borough Primary School
Family Food Bank – Stagshaw Close Postley Road Maidstone ME15 6TL (Tel: 01622 752285)
Restoring Hands – 9 Ashford Rd, Maidstone ME14 5BJ (Tel: 07706 780248)
The Salvation Army – 74 Union Street ME14 1ED (Tel: 01622 681808)
Dartford:
Gravesham Foodbank – Dickens Road, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2JY (Tel: 01474 559555)
Gravesend Family Food bank – 7, Warrior Avenue, Gravesend, DA12 5NA (Tel: 01233 500477)
Dartford Foodbank – 46 Lowfield Street, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1HJ (Tel: 07434 811053)
The Trussell Trust – Hope in the community, unit 19, 1 Sir Thomas Longley Road, Rochester, Kent, ME24DP (Tel: 01634 757057)
Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells:
Nourish Community Foodbank – 4-18 Goods Station Road, Tunbridge Wells (Tel: 01892 548892)
Pembury Baptist Church Community Centre – 1 Romford Road, Pembury, Kent, TN2 4HT
Tonbridge Baptist Church (Sustain Community) – Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent, TN10 3HZ (Tel: 01732 352824)
Family Food Bank – Little Foxes Children’s Centre, Waveney Road, Tonbridge, TN10 3JU (Tel: 03000 418008)
St John the Baptist (Loaves and Fishes) – St John’s Vicarage, 62 Quaker’s Hall Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 3TX (Tel: 01732 451 710)
East Kent:
The Hub Café – St George's Pl, Canterbury CT1 1UTMarket Place, Aylesham, Deal, CT3 3EZ (Tel: 01227 769555)
Family Food Bank – St Mary’s Children Centre, Orchard Place, Faversham, ME13 8AP (Tel: 03000 411033)
Faversham Foodbank – Faversham Gospel Mission Hall, Tanners St, Faversham ME13 7JL (Tel: 07938270604)
Family Foodbank – West Faversham Community Centre, Bysing Wood Road, ME13 7RH (Tel: 01795 537321)
Family Food bank – Folkestone Early Years CC Dover Rd Folkestone CT20 1QF (Tel: 03000 419727)
Family Food Bank – East Kent College EKC - Westcliff House, Westcliff Gardens, Folkestone CT20 1SZ (Tel: 01843 230876)
Family Food Bank – People Plus, 145-147 Sandgate Road, Folkstone, CT20 2DA
Family Foodbank – The Village Children’s Centre, Denmark Street, CT19 6EQ (Tel: 03000 420893)
Family Foodbank – Caterpillars Children’s Centre, Chart Rd, Folkestone CT19 4PN (Tel: 03000 416444)
Further food banks can be found through the Kent County Council website here: Find a food bank - Kent County Council
Food Philosophy
Food philosophy comes in different forms and ideals, depending on who is practising it. For example, a vegetarian will have a different food philosophy to a flexitarian and a meatatarian. However, one thing that remains constant is the health of the food, how to eat, and when to eat.
When our bodies need extra support to recover what we eat can support the road to recovery.
Here are 10 healing foods that can help your body recover:
- Leafy green vegetables
- Eggs
- Salmon
- Berries
- Nuts and seeds
Poultry - Organ meats
- Cruciferous vegetables e.g., Cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli
- Shellfish
- Sweet potatoes
Recipe: Classic Vanilla Overnight Oats
What are overnight oats?
If you’ve never heard of overnight oats before, let me give you a quick little primer. Overnight oats are a no-cook method of making oatmeal. Instead of cooking your oats with liquid on the stove or in the microwave, you stir rolled old-fashioned oats with the liquid and other mix-ins, and let it rest in the fridge overnight. In the morning, you have a pudding-like porridge that is perfect for easy grab-and-go breakfasts.
Serves 1
Prep time 10 minutes
Ingredients
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- 50g rolled porridge oats
- 2 tbsp natural yogurt (it can be dairy or any plant-based you enjoy.)
- 50g mixed berries
- ½ tbsp nut butter (such as almond or peanut butter)
- 1-2 tsp honey or maple syrup
Instructions
- Whisk together all ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Spoon into a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Close and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight before eating.
Note: you can mix it up and add fruit, dark chocolate or seeds to taste.
Enjoy!
Healthy eating doesn’t involve any particular diet. Rather, it means prioritizing your health by fuelling your body with nutrient-rich foods.
Closing Message from Claire Begent, Services Manager
A big thank you to everyone who entered our competition to find a name for the new West Kent Newsletter.
I was amazed by the amount of thought that was put into your ideas, we received nearly twenty names to choose from.
It was a really difficult decision to come up with a favourite, so we held a draw.
The winning name selected is - The Recovery Connector
Don’t forget we are always pleased to hear from you as well as members of your family and friends.
We want to involve you in decisions about the way we do things to ensure that our drug and alcohol service benefits those most affected by substance misuse.
How to get involved in future newsletters
If you would like to contribute to our newsletter with stories, music, poetry, art, craft, recipe’s or any other creative and inspirational ideas you have then I would love to hear from you.
Please get in touch either by phone or email:
M: 07741163146
Go back to the Drug and Alcohol Wellbeing Service - West Kent webpages.