Healthy Living in Kent making a difference - Gravesham Borough ...

SmokingThe centres are working in partnership with NHS services across Kent to develop some excellent smokingcessation initiatives. The centres are able to link their users with the work that Health Promotion does andare able to provide a ready cohort, saving time, money and resources that would otherwise need to bespent on identifying appropriate candidates.Smoking cessation drop-ins are run on a weekly basis often with a sessional worker being shared acrosstwo or more centres. Forging close links with local GP surgeries has also contributed to the high numbersof people who have accessed these services through the centres. The centres have also been able toexpand their provision to include a nicotine replacement prescription service. One to one support isavailable, as well as broader information on how to quit smoking.One centre has employed a specialist smoking cessation worker since 2006, with a remit to developspecific initiatives through existing community contacts. This serves to further increase the numbersattending courses or engaging in smoking cessation therapy. This has included working with localbusinesses to engage with smokers in the workplace and to tailor smoking cessation interventionsfor them.Evidence from courses run so far shows thatinterventions run in the centres have excellent quitrates compared to courses run in other settings.The Faversham Community Caféand Resource CentreFaversham Community Café and Resource Centre opened in May 2002 following an award from theNew Opportunities Fund. The Cafe is ideally located in Faversham Town Centre and is well supportedby the local community.The community is represented on the centre’s management committee and there are many activevolunteers who support it and help with its running. One of the café’s key successes is the way it works withorganisations such as Canterbury College, Family Welfare Association, Swale Council for Voluntary Services,Swale Borough Council, and Amicus-Horizon Housing Association to ensure that services are delivered thatmeet local needs.The café provides a range of healthy drinks and snacks, both to people taking part in activities within theCentre and also to people who drop-in. It is staffed by volunteers and is a space for people to come andmeet, and for them to obtain advice and guidance. Many organisations use the Café as a venue to deliverservices and meet their clients. The centre also has a well supported IT training room.The Café is also involved in a wide range of community activities including a local after school club andplayschemes during the school holidays.For more information, please telephone 01795 590089.10 Healthy Living in Kent making a difference11