Make a referral

How we work

We work by appointment to try to ensure we can give time and privacy to those visiting the Outreach Centre and King's Pantry food bank.

We ask clients to bring in a shopping list of items they usually buy, or need, along with shopping bags. We have a fridge and freezer so can provide other fresh items, depending on what has been donated. The King's Pantry also consists of a toiletry and cleaning bank.

Outreach Centre Client Service Agreement

A professional referral is required for all clients to access our services.
We will contact the client within 72 hours of receiving the referral and look to meet with them at the earliest opportunity
We will attempt to contact clients up to three times before closing a referral if we do not receive a response.
Once a referral is closed, clients must obtain a new professional referral to access services again.
Clients are asked to bring shopping bags and a shopping list to their appointment.

Please complete the simple referral form below.

Starting with the Referrers Details.

First name:

Surname:

Email address:

Name of Referring Organisation::

Referring Organisation Department:

Referrers preferred contact details:

NAME OF THE PERSON YOU ARE REFERRING:

Their preferred contact details - email or phone Number (if we are to contact them):

A brief description of their needs and any relevant Background info.:

Please tick the box to confirm that you acknowledge the listed needs have been formally verified:Agree Disagree

Please note that although a referral has been made, the Making A Difference to Maidstone Outreach Team retains the discretion to decline further support following the completion of our internal verification process.

Human check:

Please complete the validation below. This helps us to protect against false spam submissions.

If you need Urgent support outside of our Office Hours or while you wait for us to come back to you. Please click on the links below.

HOMELESS

Your first stop is to visit Maidstone Borough Council’s Housing and Outreach team at Trinity Foyer, 20 Church Street, ME14 1LY to be assessed by the team. If it is out of hours call 01622 602127 to speak with a duty officer or 01622 602000 out of hours.

If the temperature is zero for several days (or extremely hot) there may be a Severe Weather Protocol in place which means everyone who is homeless needs to be housed for that period, whether or not they are usually entitled totemporary accommodation by the local council.

Maidstone Churches Winter Shelter is open now every day until 31st March 2026. You must attend their registration session from 4pm – 5.30pm daily at the United Reformed Church, Fremlin Walk entrance, to be eligible both a bed for the night and a sit down home cooked meal.

Monday and Wednesday – Allington Baptist Church – London Road

Tuesday and Thursday – Baptist Church, Knightrider Street

Friday– United Reformed Church – Fremlin Walk Entrance

Saturday– Salvation Army – Union Street and

Sunday – Methodist Church – Tonbridge Road

Maidstone Homeless Care in Knightrider Street has a drop in facility for people who are homeless from 8am – 2pm weekdays all year round for food and washing facilities.

FOOD SUPPORT

Maidstone Churches Winter Shelter will allow you to register for the meal only if you are in genuine need.

You must attend their registration session from 4pm – 5.30pm daily at the United Reformed Church, Fremlin Walk entrance and the meal takes place at 7.30pm. You must register to be invited to attend.

The Salvation Army 74 - 80 Union Street ME14 1ED in Union Street gives food parcels to anyone eligible and have booked a collection on a Wednesday from 11-3pm, if you obtain a referral to them via a professional or support worker.

Making a Difference to Maidstone charity, 49 Church Street helps with food via a shopping list and appointment system once a referral has been received from a professional or support worker. Free food support is available currently on a daily basis in the arches and car park of All Saint’s church down by the river in Mill St, ME15 6YE.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – 7pm - 8pm hot food

Fri – 8.30pm food surplus collection

Sat – 10am – 11am cooked breakfast

Sun – 3.30pm – 4.30pm soup and sandwiches and hot drinks

The Bread and Butter Thing food club

Text 07507 237311 to join the food club for free and pick up food weekly from several locations - Trinity (town centre), Parkwood, Shepway and Blackthorn Trust on Tonbridge Road. There's a small fee and with no need for a referral. It is £5 for an individual bag, £8.50 for three bags or £17 for a family.