A widely-used day centre is facing an uncertain future amid 'spiralling costs' after its funding was put at risk.

The Romney Marsh Day Centre in New Romney informed its staff last week that Kent County Council (KCC), which provides part-funding that the centre relies on, would only guarantee its funding until the end of March.

The move, which is part of KCC's plans to recommission wellbeing services across Kent, also sees a tendering process launched for contracts supporting older people's services in the area.

The centre, which aims to improve the health, wellbeing and social lives of people over 50, managed to secure an extension until Tuesday June 30, and is working towards a tender to deliver future services.

However, the outcome of the tender will not be known for some weeks, and as such the future of the centre is 'at risk'.

Jon Wilson, chief officer for the centre, said: "The Romney Marsh Day Centre has been open for 45 years and this year celebrated 25 years serving older people on the Marsh from this purpose-built building.

"In 2019 the work of our volunteers was recognised by Her Majesty, The Queen; today, we face a very difficult six months and an unknown future.

'Such shortfalls are simply not sustainable long-term...'- Jon Wilson

"We are not alone in this situation; other centres have either closed, merged or are struggling financially.

"Like many organisations we are faced with spiralling costs; for example, for every hot meal we deliver, we spend £4 more than we charge.

"For many, these meals are a real lifeline, but such shortfalls are simply not sustainable long-term.

"We are doing all we can to secure financial backing, but to say that the future of this invaluable resource to our community is at risk is no understatement.

"By making this risk public knowledge, we hope we can gather support, and potentially funding, for our day centre.

"We do this with the aim of securing a future for our service users and our wider communities we so proudly serve."

New Romney Town Councillor John Picco said: "I am very concerned about what I am hearing regarding the New Romney Day Centre and health Hub.

"This could be a massive blow to our local day centre and Health hub, if funding is not forthcoming from KCC then there is a potential threat of closure of this Hub.

"The centre helps to prevent social isolation, and promotes health and well being. They have a fabulous activity programme and provide daily meals and so much more for our local residents.

"This is not fake news but a real threat to our local Day Centres existence!"

'it is important we continue to listen to our residents to ensure our services remain relevant...'- KCC spokesperson

A Kent Count Council spokesperson said: “Under the previous wellbeing service model, Kent County Council (KCC) was funding 52 voluntary and community organisations for services such as befriending, volunteer run transport schemes, dementia cafés, support services for people with sensory impairment and peer support for people with physical disabilities.

"On reviewing the service, KCC recognised that although there was a good range of services and support, they were not always joined up and therefore people found it difficult to easily access all the support they needed. Following a public consultation, the council created a new, more preventative wellbeing service model designed to bring together a range of services to make them more accessible and give everybody the opportunity for their wellbeing needs to be met, wherever they live in the county and whatever their ability.

“Following this decision, KCC have actively engaged with and encouraged local wellbeing providers to work together to form partnerships to bid for the new contracts under the under the new arrangement which will be phased in from July 2020.”

Clair Bell, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health said: “We are extremely proud of the work our wellbeing services and the organisations that run them do every day to support people in the community, promote independence and keep people connected to where they live.

“As the needs of Kent’s population change, it is important we continue to listen to our residents to ensure our services remain relevant, to tackle emerging issues such as loneliness and to make it as easy as possible for people to get the help they need.

Would you be affected if the centre were to close? We'd love to hear from you.

Email ajee@thekmgroup.co.uk

Read more: All the latest news from Romney Marsh