Lyminge AGE UK Centre closing - December 2024

Dear Colleague

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to inform you of some significant changes that are taking place within our organisation, particularly in relation to our Lyminge Centre.

Due to increasing building maintenance costs, we have made the difficult decision to relocate our Dementias Services to Hythe and close the Lyminge Centre. Over the past months, we have explored various options to sustain the facility, including introducing new activities and encouraging other organisations to use the space. Unfortunately, these efforts have not been successful, and it is no longer feasible for us to continue operating from the Lyminge site.

While we are saddened to close this community hub, we will be relocating our Dementia Services to our Hythe hub. This move will allow us to maintain the quality of care and support that our clients rely on, and the staff currently working in Lyminge will move with the service to ensure continuity for clients.

However, the closure of the Lyminge Centre also means that the charity shop and café, both important spaces for community interaction and socialising, will close as well. We are acutely aware of the impact this may have on the local community, as these facilities have been a valuable part of village life. While we are relocating services, we understand that the community will be losing a social hub.

In addition, our laundry service will cease operations as of December, with the final collection taking place in the week commencing 16th December, followed by the last delivery the week after. The service no longer has enough demand to cover costs, and raising prices would make it unaffordable for our clients.

Though the Lyminge centre itself is closing, we remain fully committed to supporting the Lyminge area. We hope to work closely with local parish councils to ensure that we continue to serve the community in new ways. We are exploring options to provide drop-in services and support groups in other communal spaces within the village and surrounding areas, and we will strive to maintain our presence.

We will keep you informed of key dates and developments as the relocation and closure approaches.