Medway Treatment and Recovery Service – RIVER

Service delivered in the community

RIVER (which stands for Responsive, Inspirational, Visible, Empowering and Recovery-Oriented) helps people that have issues with drugs and/or alcohol and want to make a positive change. We also support the family and friends of people who are worried about their loved one’s substance use.

Who we help:

Our service is for people who:

• Are aged 18+; and
• Live in Medway area; and
• Have issues with drugs and/or alcohol or are impacted by the drug/alcohol use of a loved one (even if that loved one is not ready to get support themselves)

How we help:

The support we offer is tailored to each person’s needs, so will look slightly different for everyone. When you first get in touch, we’ll do an assessment with you to understand what your needs are so we can offer you the most appropriate support.

Services we offer include:

• One-to-one support
• Group programmes
• Harm minimisation, including health checks, testing for blood-borne viruses, and provision of naloxone
• Needle exchange service
• Prescribing services
• Referrals to rehab and detox provision
• A recovery service, provided by our partners Open Road
• Peer support
• Family support
• Outreach
• Referrals to other services

Our services don’t stop there. We’re here with ongoing support. We can help you, whatever your drug or alcohol issues, or those of a loved one, are.

Opening times

Opening times for the main hub are as follows:

• Mondays: 9am – 8pm
• Tuesdays: 9am – 5pm
• Wednesdays: 9am – 5pm
• Thursdays: 9am – 8pm
• Fridays: 9am – 5pm

Get in touch or make a referral.

If you are worried about your own or someone else’s drug and/or alcohol use and want to get help, we’re ready to help. Please use whatever option you feel most comfortable with.

• Self-refer – https://www.forwardtrust.org.uk/service/medway-treatment-and-recovery-service-river/ 
• Email: Medway@forwardtrust.org.uk
• Telephone: 0300 123 1560
• In person: drop by the main Hub and have a chat: 423 Chatham High Street, Kent ME4 4NU

Recovery support (provided by Open Road)

Recovery support can be accessed during and after treatment support.  You will be able to contact and be supported by people in recovery, We provide access to the following:

• 1-1 support from a Wellness and recovery coordinator or peer mentor
• Support with lapse and relapse prevention
• Peer support groups
• Diversionary Activities –  for example – Art group, gardening club, mindfulness, creative writing
• Housing support
• Education, training and employment support
• Volunteering opportunities
• Mutual Aid groups (CA & AA)
• Saturday club

The Recovery Hub is located at:

95-97 High Street
Chatham
ME4 4DL

Contact number: 01634 471700

Email: wellbeing-recovery@openroad.org.uk

Opening Times:

Monday – 9am till 5pm
Tuesday –  9am till 8pm
Wednesday – 9am till 5pm
Thursday – 9am till 7pm
Friday – 9am till 5pm
Every other Saturday – 9am till 2pm

Please drop in at any time for a cup of tea and a chat and join Medway’s growing recovery community