Regulars at Rye Day Centre have vowed to continue getting together after the twice weekly meetings came to an end after over four decades on Wednesday 25 February.
The centre, which began in 1983 and moved to the Hub on Rye Hill in 2020, hosted around 20 people in their seventies, eighties and nineties for a meal, entertainment and a catch-up on Tuesday and Wednesday lunchtimes.
Members paid £9 to attend which included a two course meal.
“We’re really upset about this. There have been tears,” said Shirley Seabrook. “It’s not fair. We’re a lovely group and we’ve enjoyed the meals and the company. I just hope we can keep together otherwise we’ll just sit at home watching tv and that’s not good when you get old!”
Annabel Stone has been a member for 13 years. “I’ve probably been attending the longest of everyone still here and I’m so sad about this.”
“I’m absolutely gutted,” said Sheila Goldsmith. “This is for the community and we are the community. We should be here! For people on their own, it’s very important. For one lady, coming here is the only time she gets out.”
An informal meeting of the centre’s members took place at Tilling Green Community Centre on Wednesday 4 March, with the support of Rye Partnership.
Changes at the Hub have led to the charitable trust that organises the twice weekly meetings to decide running Rye Day Centre is no longer possible.
“It really is the end of an era and I’m just so disappointed for the people who came here,” said Dave Pellen who has been running the centre with volunteers for the last 13 years. “The changes the Hub wanted meant it was difficult to continue in the space we were offered.”
He says under the proposals, members of the centre would be restricted to a large room with meals served as part of the meeting instead of in the dining area. “We tried it out a couple of times and it didn’t work and I felt it wasn’t safe. Our members didn’t like it either. We were also losing access to some of the workspace in the kitchen.”
“People came to the centre because of Dave,” said Barry Nealon, the Chair of the centre’s trustees. “He has been so committed, as well as kind and caring. He had made a terrific impact on people’s lives. The closure is a sad loss but we should acknowledge his extraordinary work for many years and say a big thank you.”
Charlotte Kneer MBE, CEO of Rye, Winchelsea and District Memorial Hospital Ltd which runs the Hub, said she hoped a solution could be found. “We were deeply saddened by the news that Rye and District Day Centre decided to stop delivering their service at the Hub on Rye Hill. They would be very welcome to re-start their service at any time if they choose.”
She said her main concern was for the people who used the day centre. “On this basis, we would welcome hearing from anyone who used the service who would like to continue coming to the Hub. If there is sufficient demand, we may be able to set up a similar service. Please contact charlotte@ryehospital.org.uk or telephone 01797 228841 to register your interest.”
Image Credits: Rye News .