'Sadness' as elderly charity announces closure

A pensioner has said she is "so very sad" after a local charity affiliated with Age UK announced it would close.

Age UK Kent Rivers, which is a brand partner of the national organisation, said it was "experiencing significant cash flow challenges" and was "likely to enter into an insolvency process".

The charity, which supported elderly people in Medway, Dartford, Gravesham and Swale, said it was therefore "no longer able to continue operating in our current form".

Gloria Phillips, 89, said: "I felt hurt to think that it wasn't going to be there anymore."

The grandmother says the charity's day centre in Gillingham "means so much to people because they look forward to meeting those friends that they've made there that they wouldn't have made otherwise".

Age UK Kent Rivers trustees said in a statement the group had worked to address "significant and escalating financial challenges" but its position became "unsustainable".

"We recognise this news will come as a shock and will be deeply upsetting to many, particularly our clients, staff, volunteers and partners," they said.

"We share that sense of sadness and concern.

"Our immediate priority is to ensure that those who rely on our services are supported as effectively as possible during this transition."

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