Age UK Kent Rivers

A new organisation!

We are delighted to share the exciting news that Age UK Medway is changing its name, to accurately reflect all the areas across Kent in which its services are now operated.

The year of 2023 has been a busy one for the charity, following the recent merger with Age UK Faversham and Sittingbourne, the recent transfer of services from Age UK North West Kent, and the ongoing project at the Clarendon Royal Community in Gravesend.

To ensure that the organisation is inclusive of all our new staff and volunteer teams, customers, beneficiaries and service areas across the Medway, Faversham, Sittingbourne, Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley towns (and therefore along the River Thames, River Medway and The Swale), and following consultation with our local and national brand partners, we are delighted to announce that our new charity name will be Age UK Kent Rivers.

Discussing the thought processes behind the charity's new name, John Norley, CEO, says;

"Rather than try to find a name which directly reflects the area in which we work, we have taken a different approach, and looked to significant geographic features which run through and around our new and existing territory;

• Our work across Dartford, Gravesham & Swanley, and of course the Clarendon Royal Community brings us into proximity to the River Thames.
• Our work across the Medway towns is of course associated with the river that gives the local unitary authority its name, the River Medway.
• The Swale surrounds the new areas of our work, in Sittingbourne and makes its way in tributary from Faversham too.

We wanted a name that wasn't area specific, and a name which had permanency too, as we have been present, supporting our beneficiaries, across some of these areas for a long time. These features have been prominent through many lifetimes, and of course we plan to be around for a long time to come, so the new name seems very appropriate."

Over the coming weeks and months, you will notice some changes across our communications as we gradually roll out our new organisational name.  Not only that, but our Head Office address will also be changing soon, as we move into a new space which better accommodates our staff and visitors.

We hope that you agree that our new name, Age UK Kent Rivers, perfectly reflects our new organisation, and we look forward to continuing to support older and vulnerable people across a wider area to Achieve Life's Fullness.