Involve Awarded New East Kent Adult Carers Support Service Contract

Involve is pleased to announce that we have been awarded the new Adult Carers Support Service contract as the East Kent provider.

The new service will support unpaid adult carers aged 16+ (who are caring for an adult) and will cover Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone & Hythe, and Thanet, supporting thousands of unpaid carers across East Kent.

For the first time, carers’ assessments, crisis support and short breaks will be brought together within a single service. This combined approach will make it easier for carers to access the support they need, helping them find the right help at the right time without having to navigate multiple services.

We recognise the valuable work already undertaken to support carers across East Kent and look forward to building on these strong foundations. By listening carefully to carers and working closely with frontline staff, local communities, health and care partners, and voluntary sector organisations, we aim to develop a service that delivers meaningful and lasting impact.

As we prepare to launch the new service, we are also taking time to reflect on our long history of supporting carers in West Kent. For more than 20 years, it has been a privilege to work alongside unpaid carers, helping them access information, advice, emotional support and practical help during some of the most challenging periods of their lives.

We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved and would like to thank the staff, partners and volunteers who have been part of this journey, as well as the carers who have trusted us over the years. This service has played a significant role in shaping Involve’s mission and values, and we know its impact will continue long after our involvement comes to an end. Imago will now take this work forward through the new West Kent contract, which also includes Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley. We will be working closely with Imago to develop a standard Kent offer and to develop easier access points for carers so no matter where they live in Kent carers can easily access support.

Gary Wells, CEO of Involve, said:

“Supporting unpaid carers has been at the heart of Involve’s work for more than 20 years. During that time, we have learnt a great deal about the vital role carers play in our communities, what matters most to them, and how best to support them in their caring roles.

While we are proud of the legacy we leave in West Kent, we are excited to bring our experience and approach to East Kent. This new joined-up service reflects what carers consistently tell us they need: support that is timely and easy to access. We look forward to working alongside carers, communities and partners across East Kent to build on the excellent work already taking place and ensure carers receive the support and recognition they deserve.”

For Involve, this contract represents both a continuation of our long-standing commitment to unpaid carers and an exciting opportunity to extend our mission of ensuring everyone, regardless of the challenges they face, has the opportunity to thrive. We look forward to beginning this new chapter with carers, communities and partners across East Kent.

The service will be gradually launched from 1^st August; more information will be available on our website soon. Unpaid carers in East Kent looking for support after this date can contact us at carers@involvekent.org.uk or on 0330 320 4444. Please bear with us as we introduce the service over the coming weeks.