Eat Well Spend Less & Wellbeing Roadshow coming to The Ashford Cinema

Published: 02/04/2025

Fresh fruit and vegetables being provided to the community

Residents in the borough are able to get additional Cost of Living and wellbeing support through the Eat Well Spend Less and Wellbeing roadshows (EWSLW) which are organised by Ashford Borough Council.

Funded by the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and completely free, they provide residents with resources, support and opportunities to thrive in all aspects of living.

The events bring together a range of partner organisations including frontline Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust staff and Ashford Borough Council officers, outreach organisations and charities, in one easy-to-access place.

There are a wide variety of services on offer and some of these include:

Free NHS health checks
NHS immunisation health and prevention advice (NHS COVID-19 and flu vaccines during autumn/winter), also NHS oral health advice
Fare Share Kent Family Food Bank food items including fresh fruit and vegetables
Financial support, help and advice
Safeguarding, energy, housing and benefit advice from Ashford Borough Council
Kent County Council Family Hubs support for children, young people and their families
Ashford Volunteer Centre, Citizens Advice and Ashford Mediation Service
Mental health support
Dementia support services
Hi Kent support for people living with hearing loss

Anyone who attends will be able to benefit from guidance on shopping, preparation and cooking healthy, nutritious meals.

There will also be information on where and how to access local food banks and social supermarkets along with community venues who offer free, pay as you feel or very reasonably priced meals in a social setting.

*Residents attending an Eat Well Spend Less and Wellbeing roadshow in Ashford*

Residents will also be given recipe bags with all ingredients to take home to make a recipe along with instructions.

The next roadshow will take place on Wednesday 30 April at The Ashford Cinema, Elwick Place (TN23 1AE) from 10am-2pm. Future roadshows will also take place on the following dates:

Wednesday 18 June, Tenterden Leisure Centre, Recreation Ground Road, Tenterden, TN30 6RA. 10am – 2.30pm
Wednesday 30 July, Harpers Hub, Victoria Park, Jemmett Road, TN23 4QD. 10am – 2pm
Wednesday 10 September, Phoenix Community Primary School, Belmont Road, Kennington, TN24 9LS. 10.30am – 3.30pm

Emma Everett, Public Health Co-Ordinator at Ashford Borough Council, said: “If you’re an organisation that provides a wellbeing service or Cost of Living support to residents in Ashford and Tenterden and are interested in attending a future roadshow, please get in touch with myself via emma.everett@ashford.gov.uk for further information.”

“The roadshows have helped to raise the profile of prevention of ill health for all. They are an opportunity to engage and help support a reduction in health inequalities by providing key information about services and interventions that the general population can access. They are also a great platform for networking with other partners and agencies.”

“Please do come along to The Ashford Cinema on 30 April, even if it’s just to pop in briefly to see what help is available to you.”

+ What's on offer at The Ashford Cinema roadshow? (Expand for details)

When is it?

30 April, 10am-2pm at The Ashford Cinema, Elwick Place (TN23 1AE)

What is available on the day?

Ashford Borough Council - Welfare Intervention Officer – help and advice on financial/benefit support
Ashford Borough Council - Tenancy Engagement Officer – housing help and advice
Kensa – information and advice on ground source heat pumps - tackling the shared goal fuel poverty and decarbonisation
NHS Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust - offering free health check & MOT’S. Advice and pathways into One You Services including information on the extensive offer at the One You Shop, Park Mall, Ashford
Immunisation Service Public Health and Prevention, Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust – advice and guidance leaflets
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust - Oral health advice and guidance
Metro Kent Young People Sexual Health – information and advice
Mind and Body at We Are with You in Kent – young people mental health information and advice on their offer
Amber Foundation Kent – Support for young adults 18-30 facing complex problems and offer homeless support to transform lives
Family Hub (previously children and youth centre) – information and advice
Hi Kent – sound support for People Living with Hearing Loss – information and advice on all aspects of hearing loss from getting an aid, coping with tinnitus, to hearing the television, lip-reading an all issues in between
Headway Kent – Support for brain injury survivors, their families, and carers
MacMillan Crossroads - provide volunteers to support people living with cancer across Kent in several ways, from companionship to transport to their healthcare appointments. In addition, they can support accessing grants to help with the financial burden of a cancer diagnosis.
Montfort Manor Care Home representative – promoting living well with dementia, guidance regarding dementia and looking after your loved one, information on their carer’s, friendship, and stroke cafes.
Wellbeing Matters Plus & Young Carers– offering and developing community-based opportunities for individuals aged 55 plus or adults with complex health needs – Imago
Ashford Active Retirement Association (OATH) – information on the groups and activities the group offers
Ashford and Tenterden Umbrella – connect, companionship and confidence – information and advice on their offer
Age UK – Dementia and Wellbeing Teams – information and advice
Age UK - Personal Independence Coordinator covering the Ashford area – information and advice
Ashford Phoenix – Rising Above Dementia – information and support on offer
Mencap – Providing opportunities and choices for people with a learning disability, their families, and carers - information and advice
Bluebird Care Ashford – information and advice
Kent County Council Adult Social Care and Health – information and advice on offer
NRS Health Kent, Community Equipment Services - advice and information on this KCC funded service
Kent and Medway NHS Talking Therapy – adult mental health information and advice on their offer
Kent & Medway Recovery & Wellbeing College – information and advice
National Energy Action – free energy advice information and training
Ashford Mediation Service – advice and information on this free service to Ashford residents until 1pm
Ashford Volunteer Centre – Community Connector – advice and information
Social Enterprise Kent (SEK) – information and resources for Energy Saving project supporting people to stay warm and well while managing their bills, and their Cancer Smart project raising awareness of most common cancers and screenings for earlier diagnosis and/or prevention
South-East Water – advice on saving water and cost
Wave Community Bank – information and advice
Department Works and Pension / Job Centre – advice and information on their extension offer - available until 12.30
Kent County Council Financial Hardship Team – information and advice
Food Friends – volunteer food sharing programme in Ashford
Bright City Church - Food Bank, Vinnies Diner and Lite Bites lunch and chat
Neighbourhood Watch Ashford District – information and advice
East Kent College – information on outreach programmes promoting courses offering support in employment and upskilling
Freedom Leisure – information and resources to help support healthier, more active lifestyles across the Ashford community
Carers' Support East Kent & Carer Money Matters - Providing information and support to people who look after a relative or friend