Age UK Medway is expanding to include North West Kent

Age UK Medway are pleased to share the news they have been working closely with local charity Age UK North West Kent, following their announced threat of closure, to find a way to sustain the services provided to older people across the boroughs of Dartford and Gravesham.

In recent months, the Board of Trustees at Age UK North West Kent have pursued several avenues, in an attempt to secure the future of the organisation which declared it was at risk of closure earlier this year, following a ceasing of funding. And after a series of meetings with Age UK Medway an agreement was made that, as of 1^st April, all services and staff of Age UK North West Kent would be transferred to the Chatham-based charity in order to preserve the vital wellbeing support for local older people.

John Norley, Age UK Medway Group Chief Executive, says:

This is extremely positive news for the local communities and older people of North West Kent. They will be able to continue to access the vital support on which they rely, from the Wellbeing Centre and Dementia Hub in Dartford, to the extremely popular Meal Delivery service, and the essential home support provided by the Independent Living, Footcare, Handyman and Gardening Services.  It is also positive news for the employees of Age UK North West Kent, as we have been able to retain every position as part of the transfer process.

The news of this transfer came with good timing, following our recent venture into Gravesend with our takeover of the Clarendon Royal Hotel (soon to transition to the Clarendon Royal Community). As a result, those individuals who previously enjoyed social activities and day care at Age UK North West Kent’s Fleming Centre, will now have the opportunity to benefit from similar wellbeing support at the Clarendon, from where our Gravesend-based day care will shortly be launched.

The main concern for both ourselves and the trustees of North West Kent, in all discussions and decisions, was the older people that Age UK North West Kent supports. And so we are all pleased with this outcome, in the knowledge that customers will not lose out on the services they desperately need in order to maintain their independence and quality of life. 

Age UK Medway has a deep history of service provision across the Medway towns, offering a broad range of services and care which help older people, and adults with learning disabilities, to Achieve Life’s Fullness. They also already have a strong presence in the Gravesend area, with many people from Gravesham Borough choosing to come to Medway to take up services and support.

Over the coming weeks, the services available to those living in the Medway towns and in North Kent including Dartford, Swanley, Greenhithe, Swanscombe, Ebbsfleet Valley, Northfleet, Gravesend and Shorne will be added to the Our Services section on our website.

For more information and details about the ongoing transition of both the transfer of Age UK North West Kent’s Services, and the Clarendon Royal Community, stay up to date with our news section and follow us on social media: