An update from our Chief Officer

After a very busy 2018 with so many achievements and such dedication and hard work by all the volunteers and staff of Age UK Thanet, I just wanted to personally say a BIG THANK YOU to you ALL.

The importance of providing safe, warm and welcoming services is very important to us as an organisation. To keep meeting the needs of people over 50 and the ever changing circumstances of our community in Thanet. It is vital we keep striving to look at new services and develop existing services to ensure we can support those who are very vulnerable, lonely and Isolated.

To clarify KCC (Kent County Council) have informed Age UK Thanet that the grant given to us is due to stop this year. This will have a huge impact so it is with regret that Age UK Thanet will have to increase prices for services at the beginning of April 2019. A Welfare grant is to take the place of the grant (around June) and this will be open to all Voluntary organisations to be able to tender for the grant. There is no guarantee that we will be successful, so with this in mind we have a challenge to be able to raise funds to keep services free or at a minimal cost. The Board of Trustees decided to support the organisation with a Deputy Chief Officer to ensure that meetings with stakeholders, other organisations and staff, volunteers and services changes can be supported correctly, whilst also very importantly looking for funding opportunities.

Age UK Thanet has also had an offer from Aldi to buy our building/land as they wish to build a superior store. The Board of Trustee’s took this consideration very seriously. The building at Zion Place was purposely built 16 years ago and now more services for adults living with dementia are required but we have little room to implement this due to not having enough room to accommodate staff and storage. The Trustee’s and staff felt that a move could mean we look at how services are offered and this could be an amazing opportunity to move forwards in such difficult times financially. I will keep you all up dated as this develops.

Best regards,

Vanessa Wood, Chief Officer