About Us

Medway Puzzles supports people and their families to get out and about, make new friends and, most importantly, feel free, safe and understood.

How we started

In spring 2019 a much-loved local autism group closed, leaving many Medway families with nowhere to go. Parents asked Paul Harper, who had volunteered with that group for more than ten years, to help start something new. Puzzles held its first activities on 1 May 2019, run by volunteers and shaped by its members. Within four months more than 300 people had joined trips and activities, and in December 2020 Puzzles became a registered charity.

Who we help

We support autistic children, young people and adults, people with learning disabilities and long-term health conditions, and their parents, carers and families. Today we have over 6,000 members across Kent and Medway, supported by more than 40 volunteers. Most members live in Medway and Swale, and we also support people in Maidstone, Gravesham, Sittingbourne and Sheerness.

Our aims

• Reduce loneliness and isolation, so nobody feels they are on their own
• Help members build friendships, confidence and support networks in their community
• Improve physical health and mental wellbeing through regular activities and sport
• Develop life, work and social skills, and support more members into volunteering and employment
• Give parents and carers support, information and a well-earned break

Run by people who understand

Puzzles was set up by people with lived experience of supporting family members with autism. Our trustees are mainly parents of autistic children and young adults, with backgrounds in support work, special-school education and running social groups. They help plan and run activities alongside our volunteers, and every project is shaped by the members and families who take part.

Safeguarding

Keeping our members safe comes first. Our Safeguarding Policy, approved by the trustees in September 2026, covers both children and adults at risk.

• All staff, volunteers and trustees are DBS checked and refresh their safeguarding training every year
• Every trip is risk-assessed and properly staffed before it goes ahead, and nobody is left alone with a vulnerable member
• A carer, support worker or family member comes along on every trip
• Our team wear bright orange shirts, so members can always find us
• We also have Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Environmental, and Banking and Finance policies

Awards and recognition

• Kent FA Grassroots Awards 2025: Brian Moore Trophy
• Kent Mental Health and Wellbeing Award 2025
• Finalist, Kent Charity Awards 2025: Disability Charity of the Year
• Kent Children’s Awards 2023: Outstanding Charity
• Our leader, Paul Harper, received the MVA Barry Clout Award for outstanding contribution to volunteering and was a Commonwealth Games baton bearer

Working together

We work alongside many local organisations, including Autism South East, Kent Autistic Trust, Medway Parent and Carers Forum, Kent PACT, Medway Voluntary Action, Swale CVS, Medway Sport, Chatham Town FC, Mencap, North Kent Mind, Much Laughter CIC and Something in Kent, to run joint events, share resources and make sure families get the right help.

Thank you to our funders

Our work is made possible by the generous support of:

• The National Lottery Community Fund (Awards for All)
• Postcode Society Trust
• The Philip and Connie Phillips Foundation
• The Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• The Jaspar Foundation
• Kent Community Foundation
• The Henry Smith Charity
• Test Bed Fund
• Tesco and The Sun Footy for All
• Kent and Medway Active Fund

We’re also grateful to everyone who donates, fundraises and volunteers for Puzzles. Find out how you can help.