If you or someone you know is lonely or isolated then please get in touch with us. We work across the community in Medway to ensure that no one is left isolated or alone.
Our aims are:
To bridge the gap of isolation with simple kindness and friendship.
To reduce loneliness.
To protect our vulnerable residents.
To reconnect communities across Medway.
To connect existing organisations
We achieve these goals through our extensive Community Outreach Programme. Each session brings people together in a safe and fun environment to facilitate friendship creation and nurturing. We provide free food and drinks at all of our sessions and do not charge for our services.
What do we do here at MA|RR...
Our Coffee, Chat & Connect sessions are hosted on a monthly basis in different locations across Medway. MA|RR provide the tea, coffee and snacks and our beneficiaries bring the chatter.
We currently run 3 sessions every week in Rainham and in Gillingham.
We can help anyone who is housebound with picking & up and delivering Prescriptions & Shopping.
Our Befrienders can provide weekly calls to those who are lonely & isolated. We also have volunteers who are available to be Appointment Companions.
Our healthy living Walk & Talk sessions take place each month and are suitable for all no matter their physical ability. Fresh air, nature & friendship for all.
The Frienship Spectrum in a specialised befriending group for Autistic adults, those with ADD, ADHD or any other lifelong condition which can make forming friendships more difficult.
We help to facilitate Brainstormz which is run by Sue Bulpin and Lee Roberts who both have Functional Neuological Disorder. The group is specifically for anyone with a neurological condition.
Every month Rebekah and the team at Playopolis host up to 10 of our beneficiaries for a fun packed afternoon of board gaming. Playopolis are also a Pick Up Point for The Circle Refill Hub.
Our Team
Kate Belmonte
Operations Director
Val
Director & Volunteer
Zoe Rossiter
Group Facillitator - Zoe runs our Wednesday Coffee, Chat & Connect session in Gillingham
Kieran Poole
Group Facilitator - Kieran runs our Tuesday Coffee, Chat & Connect session in Rainham.
Rob O'Hanlon
Climate Course Tutor
Our Tuesday Team
Our amazing Coffee, Chat & Connect Volunteers Dan, Helen & Jenny
See what we're upto on Insta!
Our History...
In March 2020, co-founder Kate Belmonte, found herself locked in her house away from friends and her extended family. She wanted to help those like herself by reaching out to her community via social media, Road Reps became a reality, shortly after it's launch she virtually met with someone with the same purpose and they forms Mutual Aid Road Reps.
With sheer determination and masses of people power, volunteers reached out beyond their front doors to help bridge the gap of isolation with simple kindness and friendship, reaching every household in Medway. They managed to recruit over 270 volunteers and completed over 1500 tasks, everything ranging from providing daily newspapers to undertaking a family shop.
At the same time as having volunteers out on the streets we had volunteers available on the telephone through our befriending initiative. In addtition to our Telephone Befriending service we also introduced our Coffee, Chat & Connect and 'Walk & Talk' sessions once lockdown has eased. With the aim to provide safe and friendly events that previously shielding residents could attend.
If you or someone you know could use our assistance please complete the enquiry form.
MA|RR is here for all Medway residents who are lonely & isolated we want to bridge the gap of isolation with simple kindness & friendship.