With just over a month to go before residents hit the polls, Local Democracy Reporter Katie May Nelson spoke to some of the new faces Labour is putting forward as candidates.

It promises to be a keenly-fought contest, with all seats on Medway Council up for grabs on May 4.

Watling

Marian Nestorov, who is standing in Watling ward, hopes his business experience will help him get ahead as a councillor.

The Bulgarian national has a degree in political science and moved to the UK in 2011.

He has lived in Gillingham for six years and runs his own courier company.

The father-of-two said: "I think with my experience in business, I will be able to budget efficiently and utilise resources sufficiently.

"I'm confident that this knowledge combined with my passion for public service and commitment to our community will enable me to serve as an effective councillor.

"The response on the doorstep has been amazing. I've been heartened to discover that many share my concerns and desire for change."

Chatham Central and Brompton

Nina Gurung is standing in Chatham Central and Brompton.

The Brompton resident has two children and is part of the Towns' Gurkha community. Her father and husband were both Gurkha soldiers and she has served as the chairman of Gurkha Nepalese Community Medway.

She attended the University of Kent in Medway where she qualified as a social worker and now she works as a safeguarding lead.

She said: "Medway has given me a lot and that's why I'm standing.

"For me the principles of social justice, equality, fairness and compassion for society's most vulnerable are all paramount.

"I do believe in the potential Medway holds and opening up opportunities and improving life chances for all children and young people.

"I'm very concerned there are delays in assessment and provision of mental health support for young people with special educational needs.

"As we are aware, children's services in Medway were deemed 'Inadequate' at the last inspection.

"I do have expertise in children's social work, so I will be able to support in improving that as well as overseeing and monitoring."

Strood West

Sharon Jackson, who is standing in Strood West, is also a big advocate for children, particularly those with special educational needs.

The Hoo resident is a former foster carer and adoptive mum of five children who have special needs

Having moved to the area from London in 2000, the former Pride in Medway awards nominee found she "fell in love with Medway" after engaging with parents and carers who were going through similar experiences with their children.

She said: "There were loads of these little communities and the only people who were signposting us to them were other people who were going through the same as me, parents and carers of people with special needs children.

"There was just this wonderful community built up with people looking after each other."

It was this community spirit which inspired Sharon to get involved with Medway Pride, for whom she hosted its Pride celebrations in Rochester last year.

She also set up Much Laughter CIC which hosts regular comedy nights in Chatham raising money for charity.

She said: "I just like being involved in the community. I was involved in the campaign to fight the airport and I just like rolling my sleeves up and getting involved if there's a problem.

"I just like to see if we can plug that gap, and I think the whole of Medway is very good at doing that, especially as funding is drying up, we're having to think outside the box to keep these communities together. People will tell you what they want and how you can solve a problem if you listen."

Gillingham North

Someone who has championed listening to people and advocating for mental health is Douglas Hamandishe, who is standing in Gillingham North.

He works as a mental health nurse specialising in children and adolescents, is the chairman of Gillingham Green Police and Communities Together, and also has a motivational podcast where people share their inspiring stories.

He explained: "Access to mental health services is one of my biggest things and one of my quests is to make sure every person in Gillingham has access to a mental health referral system that is seamless, quick and effective.

"My raison d'etre is somebody who is on the post with the community, who really wants to see people thrive.

"I have a unique set of experiences which will help ensure the people of Gillingham and the wider Medway community get access to the right resources for health and education."

Polls open at 7am on Thursday, May 4 across Medway. For more information, go to www.medway.gov.uk/elections2023