Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care at The City Church is outworked in different ways. We have a Pastoral Team working to support vulnerable adults and others in our membership when they have needs, they train regularly to extend their pastoral tool kit and faithfully pray when needs arise. The Pastoral Team are available to offer support, guidance and prayer when significant pastoral needs arise or during a time of crisis. We also recognise the importance of sensitivity, discretion and a need to keep people safe, by working closely with the Safeguarding Team. 

There are a number of courses that we run to support people walking through different seasons of life. You can sign up for these using the links below.

We are also able to signpost to different services that we believe will provide some expert support, advice and guidance in different pastoral situations. These can be found at the bottom of this page.

Courses we run

 
 

Mental Wellbeing Group

We run a support group for those who are overwhelmed in a peer mentoring style setting

Learn more

The Bereavement Journey

The Bereavement Journey is for anyone who has been bereaved at any time and in any way.

Learn more
 
 

The Parenting Children Course

Practical wisdom for parenting children aged 0–10

Learn more

Keys to Freedom

An 8-week discipleship journey to help you grow in emotional, spiritual, and relational wholeness.

Learn more
 
 

The Pastoral Team

 

Signposts to other services

  • All Saints Church Food Larder:
    Open every Friday 10:00 to 12 noonMilitary Road, Canterbury CT1 1PA

    Canterbury Food Bank:
    www.canterburyfoodbank.org01227 936 450

    Canterbury Baptist Church - The Hub Cafe:
    Community Fridge and £2 parcels - every Thursday and Friday 11:00 to 14:00
    Next to the church building, St George’s Place, Canterbury CT1 1UT

    Canterbury Umbrella Community Centre:
    Supporting those who need food and warmth. Food Pantry open Wednesdays at 10:00
    St Peter’s Place, Canterbury CT1 2DB
    www.canterburyumbrella.org01227 767 660

    The City Church in Chartham Food Pantry:
    Food parcels available through self-referral for collection at Chartham Football Club, Beech Ave, Chartham, Canterbury CT4 7TA, on Tuesday mornings from 10:30 to 11:15 (delivery on request)
    www.facebook.com/thecitychurchinchartham/
    or
    www.thecitychurch.org.uk/chartham-pantry

    Connecting Canterbury:
    For help with debt, housing, benefits, finances, budgeting and mental health
    Email: connectingcanterbury@gmail.com

    Herne Bay Food Larder and Community Hub:
    Drop in for food, community support and mental health supportSt Andrew’s Christchurch, William Street, Herne Bay CT6 5NR
    01227 749 762
    Tuesday and Friday mornings

    St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP):
    Responding to direct requests for help from individuals and families
    Canterbury - 07902 855 622
    Whitstable - 07842 550 998
    Herne Bay - 07869 509 804

    Salvation Army:
    Food support and warm spaces
    Canterbury - 01227 472 781 Whitehorse Lane, Canterbury CT1 2RU
    Herne Bay - 01227 742 719
    33 Richmond Street, Herne Bay CT6 5RH

    SSAFA (The Armed Forces Charity):
    Practical, financial and emotional support for service personnel, veterans and families
    www.ssafa.org.uk
    0800 731 4880 (Freephone)

  • Breakeven Gambling Support and Counselling:
    www.breakeven.org.uk
    Head Office: 01273 833 722

    Christians Against Poverty (CAP):
    Free debt advice at home - Whitstable, Canterbury, Herne Bay and Birchington
    0800 328 0006 (Freephone)

    DWP Debt Management Customer Service:
    Help with repaying Universal Credit advance payment
    Open 08:00 to 18:30 Monday to Friday
    0800 916 0647

    Step Change:
    Debt advice, debt management plans; debt relief orders; benefits and budgeting
    www.stepchange.org
    0800 138 1111

    Turn 2 Us:
    www.turn2us.org.uk
    0808 802 2000
    09:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday

  • Citizens Advice:
    Canterbury 01227 740 647
    3 Westgate Hall Road, Canterbury, CT1 2BT
    Herne Bay and Whitstable 01227 740 647
    185/187 High Street, Herne Bay CT6 5AF
    Text: 07742 566 478 for a call back
    National Advice Line 0808 278 7846 (Freephone) 10:00 to 16:00 Monday to Friday
    Webchat: www.citizensadvice.org.uk 

    Citizens Advice Help to Claim (Universal Credit):
    0800 144 8444
    Textphone: 18001

    Kent Law Clinic:
    Free legal advice including asylum and immigration, employment, family, housing and welfare benefit issuesUniversity of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NZ
    New contact: www.kent.ac.uk/law/kent-law-clinic Email kentlawclinic@kent.ac.uk Voicemail 01227 823 311 for a callback

    No Recourse to Public Funds Network:
    www.nrpfnetwork.org.uk

  • Better Housing, Better Health:
    Supporting residents to keep warm, stay safe and live well in their homes
    www.bhbh.org.uk
    0800 107 0044

    Canterbury Housing Advice Centre (CHAC):
    Free and confidential housing advice.  Outreach in Whitstable and Herne Bay by appointment.  www.chac.co.uk
    01227 762 605

    Catching Lives:
    Supports people sleeping rough, homeless and insecurely housed.  Open Centre, Station Road East, Canterbury CT1 2RB 
    Open 09:00 to 14:00 every day
    www.catchinglives.org
    01227 464 904

    Porchlight:
    Supported Housing, mental health, community supoort, ‘Be You’ LGBTQ+ support project www.porchlight.org.uk
    Email helpline@porchlight.org.uk
    0800 567 7699 (Freephone)

  • Children’s Centres:
    Parenting and support groups
    www.poets-corner.org.uk 

    KCC Youth Hub Directory www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/kent-family-hub/your-local-family-hub 

    Members of Parliament:
    Canterbury and Whitstable - Rosie Duffield MPEmail rosie.duffield.mp@parliament.uk 

    Herne Bay - Sir Roger Gale MP
    Email - galerj@parliament.uk
    01843 848 588

  • Cruse:
    Bereavement support and counselling
    Webchat: www.cruse.org.uk
    0808 808 1677

    Forward:
    Community drug and alcohol services
    Email support@forwarduk.org.uk
    0208 960 4000
    ext 1 / 07834 168 141

    Hub of Hope:
    A comprehensive national online register of local community mental health services.
    www.hubofhope.co.uk 

    Live Well Kent:
    Mental and physical health support
    www.livewellkent.org.uk 

    MIND:
    Information and support
    www.mind.org.uk
    0300 123 3393

    NHS Kent and Medway Mental Health Crisis Line:
    Single point of access team for worries about mental health
    www.kmpt.nhs.uk
    0800 783 9111

    NSPCC Childline:
    Under 19s can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small.
    0800 11 11
    Opening times 24/7 

    Release the Pressure:
    Helpline for people with mental health problems, their carers, families and friends
    0800 107 0160

    Restored:
    A handbook for survivors of domestic abuse and guidance with faith questions
    https://www.restored-uk.org/survivors/i-need-help/survivors-handbook/order-a-survivors-handbook/ 

    Rising Sun:
    Domestic abuse support and advice. 
    Email admin@risingsunkent.com
    www.risingsunkent.com
    01227 452 852 

    Samaritans:
    Emotional support and information
    Email jo@samaritans.org (Email is not an emergency service)
    116 123
    Opening times: 24/7

    Young Minds:
    Advice and helplines for young people, parents/carers and professionals
    www.youngminds.org.uk
    Parents/carers line: 0808 802 5544

  • The City Church Safeguarding Policy.  www.thecitychurch.org.uk/safeguarding
    Complete a Cause for Concern Form if worried about someone’s welfare.

  • Thirtyone:eight
    03030 03 11 11

    Children’s Social Services:
    Daytime: 03000 41 11 11 
    Out of hours: 03000 41 91 91

    Adult Social Services:
    Daytime: 03000 41 61 61 
    Out of hours: 03000 41 91 91

    Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
    03000 41 08 88

    Police:
    (non-emergency) 101
    (emergency) 999

    Kent Safeguarding Children Multi-Agency Partnership:
    03000 42 11 26

  • ACTS 435:
    Grants available for specific items of need.
    www.thecitychurch.org.uk/acts-435 

    The Alpha Course:
    Opportunity to explore the Christian faith
    www.thecitychurch.org.uk/alpha 

    The Bereavement Journey:
    A 6/7 week course with others who have been bereaved. Peer support.
    www.thecitychurch.org.uk/the-bereavement-journey 

    Coffee and Chaos:
    A fun, welcoming baby and toddler group. Open term time on Wednesdays 10:00 to 11:30
    The Scout Hut, 37a Heaton Road, Canterbury CT1 3QA
    www.thecitychurch.org.uk/coffee-and-chaos 

    Coffee Mornings:
    A monthly opportunity for a warm welcome and chat. See church calendar for opening times.
    www.thecitychurch.org.uk/coffee-mornings 

    Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Groups:
    An 8/9 week course to look at ways to manage our mental wellbeing. 
    www.thecitychurch.org.uk/kintsugi-hope-group 

    Make Lunch:
    Free nutritious meals for families with school aged children to enjoy games and crafts during school holiday times.
    www.thecitychurch.org.uk/make-lunch 

    The Marriage Course:
    A six week course to enrich marriages.
    www.thecitychurch.org.uk/marriagecourse