Rye, Winchelsea and District Memorial Hospital has announced the launch of a new weekly community group for older residents, following the recent closure of the Rye and District Day Centre.
The charity, which owns and operates the Hub on Rye Hill as well as the hospital, said it was “deeply saddened” by the day centre’s decision to close, recognising the vital role it played in supporting local people over many years.
In response, a new service will launch this June at the Hub, aimed at people aged 70 and over. The weekly group will offer a blend of social activities and health-focused support, providing an opportunity for those who previously attended the day centre – and others in the local community – to reconnect and access regular support.
Residents interested in joining the group or finding out more are encouraged to visit the Hub and speak to staff, or email karen@hubonryehill.org.uk
Charity gains national recognition for bringing health care services closer to home
The charity has also recently received national recognition for its work. As part of the Government and NHS 10-year strategy to move more healthcare services into community settings, the Hub was visited by Minal Bakhai MBE, the National NHS lead for neighbourhood strategy implementation.
During the visit, Minal Bakhai commented that the charity is not just aligning with the NHS’s future vision, it is already leading the way, delivering many of the very approaches the health service hopes to see rolled out nationwide.
Her visit also highlighted the wide range of free services currently available at the Hub on Rye Hill, available through self-referral or NHS referral. These include:
Audiology
Baby feeding and baby weighing group
Art psychotherapy for young people
Counselling for adults
Frailty prevention clinic
Cancer support group (with FAiR)
Dementia support group
Breast reconstruction support group
Macmillan Cancer Support
Sara Lee Trust – massage and bereavement counselling
St Michael’s Hospice – bereavement counselling and group work
Care for Carers – respite support
Health and fitness coaching, including smoking cessation
Citizens Advice
Age Concern – scam awareness
Lloyds Bank – community banking services
For more information about any of these services, residents can visit the Hub on Rye Hill or contact the team via email at karen@hubonryehill.org.uk
Image Credits: Hub on the Hill .

