Action desk

Free Action Desk factsheets can be obtained if you email your request of the following to radio.kent.actiondesk@bbc.co.uk

Available Fact Sheets

Adoption
Addiction
Adult Learners
Computer Recycling
Domestic Violence
Exam Results
Fight for the Future
First Aid
Fostering
Going Solo
Have a Good Death
Infertility
Meningitis
Menopause
Men’s Heath
Missing Persons
Leftover Recipes
Spring Cleaning
Spring Watch
Stop Smoking
Storytelling
Taste of Kent
Thames Gateway
Volunteering at Christmas

Adoption

There are more than 70,000 children in care in the UK with a shortage of 10,000 foster carers. At any one time 4,000 of these children are waiting to be adopted.

You might think you are too old, too young or in the wrong relationship to become a foster or adoptive parent, but these special people come in all shapes and sizes and there are so many children out there who need you.

If you would like to find out more, there's a free fact sheet or if preferred a "Family Wanted Pack".

Addiction

Addictions are habits or behaviours that the individual forms to help them to escape from the pressures and problems of everyday life. 

These addictions come to dominate daily life and the individual finds it powerless to break from the addictive circle, as the problem becomes worse. People can become overly attached to a whole range of activities and substances. For example, gambling, chocolate computer games; - even using the internet. 

Our fact sheet gives contact details for support agencies and charities that can help those who have an addiction, and offer guidance to their family and friends.

Adult Learners

:Kent is rich with adult learning opportunities.
There are many different types of adult learning, from basic skills to basket making, web design to midwifery.

See our fact sheet for contact details of adult learning centres near you.

Computer Recycling

Upgrading your computer?

Many Kent organisations recycle computer equipment. Most accept donations from individuals as well
as from organisations upgrading their computer equipment.

Our fact sheet provides information and contact details.

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence and abuse is a crime which affects people from all social and economic backgrounds, regardless of age, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation. It keeps victims isolated and afraid and makes them feel trapped and powerless.

If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence, request our fact sheet for a list of local contacts offering advice and information about available help.

Exam Results

Whether you’ve got the grades you expected - but now want to re-evaluate your next steps, or you have done better or worse than expected, there is someone there you can turn to for help.

Starting work, choosing a suitable career, taking a ‘gap year’ or travelling abroad, finding higher and further education courses, re-sitting, going off to university, student finances, volunteering and vocational training opportunities are all options faced by sixth formers or college leavers when exam results are in.

Ask for our fact sheet for a list of helpful information, advice and contacts.

Fight for the Future

Scientists predict the Earth will warm by 1.4 - 5.8C by 2100.

Our fact sheet provides advice, facts and top tips on saving energy at home, in the work place and in the garden. Learn more about recycling, charity shops and eco-friendly home improvements – small changes to your lifestyle can make a big difference.

Dominic King with the Kent Air Ambulance

First Aid

In the UK every year hundreds of thousands of people die or are seriously injured in accidents. However, many deaths resulting from accidents could be prevented if first aid was given at the scene, before the emergency services arrive.

Learning even basic first aid can be rewarding and invaluable and could quite literally be the difference between life and death. 

Ask for our Fact Sheet for advice on local courses as well as information on the various ways in which you can get involved with local first aid organisations.

Fostering

Have you got what it takes to be a foster carer?

Fostering is a way of offering children and young people a home while their own parents are unable to look after them.
The children who need to be fostered come from a variety of backgrounds and may have experienced trauma and loss. As a vital part of the team, foster carers will help children come to terms with their experiences and prepare them to return to their family or move to an adoptive home.

More carers are always needed for this highly rewarding job and if you think you could be that special person who could help a needy child you can find out more with our free Fostering Fact Sheet.

Going Solo

Are you single and struggling to know where to go or where to meet people?

The BBC Radio Kent Action Desk have put together a "Going Solo" fact sheet full of hints and tips of things to do and places to go in Kent, if you're a singleton.

Have a Good Death

Death is an inevitable and natural part of our lives, but still the subject remains taboo in our culture.
Our reluctance to discuss or even think about it, means that many people are unprepared when it comes to practical issues such as wills and funerals.

Our ‘Have a Good Death’ campaign addresses issues like these as well as more complex ones such as caring for the dying, euthanasia and the emotional impact of losing a loved one. 

Infertility

If you’re having trouble conceiving or know somebody who is effected by infertility, our fact sheet could help you with advice on IVF, surrogacy, egg and sperm donation, adoption, natural solutions to infertility and support networks.

Meningitis

Would you know the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia? These diseases can kill in hours, with babies, toddlers and young people being most at risk. Many of us wouldn’t know what to look out for, but recognising the symptoms and getting immediate medical help can save a life.The CSV Action Desk is offering a free wallet sized symptom card. For more information, please call us on 08000 680 675 or email us at the above address.

Menopause

A wide variety of changes are attributed to menopause.

Our fact sheet covers information about the symptoms and changes women face at this time of their lives, from hot flushes, impaired memory and concentration to lesser recognised symptoms such as skin and dental changes and increased risk of heart attack or osteoporosis.

Men’s Health

• The average life expectancy of a male born in the UK in 1997 is still less than 75 years.

• The average man can expect to be seriously or chronically ill for 15 years of his life.

• Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men alone.

These alarming statistics are covered on our Men’s Health fact sheet, providing information and contacts relating to all sorts of health issues which affect men in today’s society.

Missing Persons

Are you looking for a friend or family member who has gone missing?
Or maybe you have left behind the people you care about and want them to know that you are safe.

This fact sheet provides useful contacts which may guide you in your search or alternatively offer support if you have run away from home.

Leftover Recipes

Do you feel guilty about throwing away leftover food, but don’t know what to do with it?

Our leftover recipes produced by Frank Thompson – food writer, broadcaster and catering lecturer at Thanet College – are sure to inspire you.

From ‘Kentish Cutlets’ to ‘Tricorner Hat’, there is bound to be a recipe on this fact sheet to make your mouth water.

Smoking Ban

From 1 July 2007, England will be going smoke free. Virtually all enclosed public places and work places will have a smoking ban.

See our fact sheet for advice and information on how the ban will affect you and for help with giving up.

Spring Cleaning

It’s spring again, that time of year that many of us have a good clear-out.

The Environment Agency says that household cleaning products can be damaging to both our health and the environment, so before you hit the cleaning isle at your local supermarket – stop and think.
Why not de-scale the kettle with water and vinegar or polish furniture with olive oil and lemon juice?

Save pennies and the environment by getting back to basics with traditional alternative cleaning.

Spring Watch

Make your garden wildlife friendly this spring.

Put up a bird box, create a woodpile, let the grass grow – simple changes can make your garden a safe and favourable home for wildlife all year round.

Or why not help wildlife thrive in your area by volunteering at a local conservation group?

Stop Smoking

Smoking is notoriously difficult to quit.

But there are 12 million ex-smokers in the UK and if they can do it – so can you!

Our fact sheet provides useful tips and contacts to help you quit smoking once and for all.

Storytelling:

When you can tell a good story, the world is magical place.

It used to be a powerful tool of communication and learning between parents and children, but these days storytelling often takes a back seat to television, video-games and movies.

With the help of our fact sheet, learn to be a keen storyteller and re-introduce the magic of stories into your children’s lives.

Taste of Kent

Kent is home to some of the most glorious food and drink – all produced on your doorstep.

From Farmer’s Markets and vineyards to foraging for wild foods, our fact sheet provides information, tips and recipes for making the most of Kentish produce.

Thames Gateway

Thames Gateway is Europe’s largest regeneration project and its aim is to revitalise the area of land stretching 40 miles (60km) eastwards from East London on both sides of the River Thames and the Thames Estuary.

Find out how it will affect you and how you can get involved.

Volunteering at Christmas

There is no better way of embracing the spirit of Christmas than giving a bit of time to help others in a less fortunate position than you.

From Homeless Shelters to Age Concern and tips for helping people in your community, this fact sheet provides the information and contacts you will need if you want to give something back this Christmas.