Our History

The background to the services we are now able to offer started after the second World War, when volunteers ran a lunch club for older lonely people under the name 'Older People's Welfare'.

By 1970, there were multiple lunch clubs throughout the week and the organisation employed its first 'Area Organiser'. We became an Age Concern and moved to the upper floor of our current building located on Castle Row.

Between 2001 and 2006, Age Concern Canterbury raised money in order to refurbish the whole building. From a small single office, our team grew to take on further services and staff, filling two large offices for staff and volunteers and two further small offices for our Chief Officer and Day Centre Manager.

During the refurbishment, our first toenail clinic opened and two rooms were converted to become our secure dementia unit - The Collins Unit. This includes a lounge area where our clients can engage in games and physical activities and a dining room opening onto our 'secret garden'. Our garden has raised beds for wheelchair users and is stocked entirely through donations and tended by volunteers. It is a peaceful sanctuary in a busy area of Canterbury.

A lift was installed and our kitchen area converted to a drop-in area, open to members of the public. This allows older people to drop-in and enjoy a social meal without becoming a member of our day centre.

If you would like to know more about our centre, pop in to see us and we will be happy to help!