A single mum has praised a children’s centre for “saving her life” after being diagnosed with two severe mental illnesses.

Amy Watkins decided to share her story following the news that Seashells in Sheerness is at risk of closure due to funding issues.

Families and parents affected are set to hold an awareness walk this Saturday.

Last weekend, Save our Seashells campaign posters were put in the windows of businesses around the town.

Both Millmead at Margate and Seashells in Sheerness are part of the Kent County Council (KCC) Family Hubs initiative and have entered a period of consultation.

The authority, which is proposing cutting more than £400,000 to the two centres from March, is under pressure to make drastic cuts as it looks to reduce a deficit of up to £100 million in the next two years.

However, it could put dozens of jobs at risk.

Amy was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) after her second child, Freya, was born.

“If it wasn’t for Seashells I don’t think I’d be here right now,” the 25-year-old explained.

“I hit a really dark place with my second child. They helped me fight to be seen through services and got me counselling.

“That was a turning point for me and I was able to put my life back on track with their support.

“It’s just so comforting knowing that they always have your back, no matter what.

“I know so many other people feel the exact same.”

The services offered as part of the Family Hub include play classes for small children, safe swimming lessons and help with managing budgets and healthy eating.

Amy has two daughters, five-year-old Isla and three-year-old Freya.

The single mum has been going to the centre for the past 12 years and says staff are part of her family now.

“I was ridiculously shy and very isolated,” Amy said.

“I started doing the antenatal sessions and it would be the highlight of my week. I absolutely loved it.

“When I finally had my first child, I couldn’t get enough of the centre. They would always say to me ‘you’re part of the furniture’.

“It’s been such a safety net, knowing that if anything happens or I’m having a bad day I know they’re always there.”

Millmead and Seashells, both part of the New Labour SureStart programme started in the late 1990s, are the only externally funded hubs and their contracts run out end of March next year.

KCC says it has Family Hub services available for Millmead users at Margate and Cliftonville, and proposed provision at Sheppey Gateway for those who visit Seashells.

Despite this, Amy says the atmosphere at the government building isn’t the same and has previously felt “really uncomfortable”.

She added: “There’s been people kicking off and swearing because they’ve got a parking fine and they don’t want to pay it or they’ve got issues with their council tax.

“I don’t want to take my child somewhere that is rowdy.

“It’s not a very welcoming environment.”

Kim Green, family outreach coordinator and Casie Young, development coordinator at Seashells previously told KentOnline of their “shock and disbelief” at the news.

Many of its 8,500 users are very upset and Casie is worried about the effect on their mental health in the longer term.

She said: “We have worked really hard to make this work. We are a lifeline to our families and a lot of vulnerable families.”

The pair, along with Amy, have organised a “stand with us, stroll with us” event – where members of the public can raise awareness of the potential closure.

A petition has also been set up on Change.org and so far more than 600 people have signed.

The walk is taking place this Saturday (September 7) and will take 40 minutes, heading up to the Sweet Hut at Minster Leas and back.

Those who want to join are being asked to meet at the lifeguard hut on Sheerness beach at 10am and to wear blue where possible.

Former EastEnders star and Kent native Shaun Williamson also joined the fight and lent his voice to those campaigning.

Last month, the actor posted a video on social media urging people to help stop it from happening.

Previously, Cllr Sue Chandler (Con), cabinet member for integrated children’s services at KCC, explained the thinking behind the planned cuts.

She said: “Following the introduction of our new Family Hub model across Kent last year, the management cost for these two commissioned services creates a duplication as KCC is also paying for the management of the in-house services on offer at KCC Family Hubs across the districts of Swale and Thanet.

“By not renewing these contracts when they naturally come to an end in March 2025, we can make a much-needed efficiency saving whilst continuing to provide essential services for families and young people in these areas.”

For full details of the proposal click here and to sign the petition click here.

The consultation is set to finish on Sunday, September 22.