Community Hub in Haverhill to expand following five-year commitment

16 Jun 2026

The Dementia Hub, run by Memories Are Golden at Haverhill Leisure Centre, has been extended, increasing weekly capacity from 60 to 90 people. The hub supports people living with dementia, those experiencing social isolation and others in need, while also providing valuable respite for family carers. With a new five-year commitment secured at the leisure centre, the programme now has a long-term base at the heart of the community.

Local councillors and Abbeycroft, which manages Haverhill Leisure Centre on behalf of West Suffolk Council, originally came to the rescue in 2024 when the Memories Are Golden Community Hub faced possible closure after its previous premises were sold. The additional space this year has been made possible through council locality funding, support from funding partners and fundraising by the charity itself.

The partnership is built on a shared commitment to supporting people living with dementia and their families. Abbeycroft provides the venue and operational infrastructure, while Memories Are Golden brings specialist expertise, compassionate support and a dedicated volunteer network. Funding partners help ensure the service remains sustainable, accessible and responsive to local needs, creating a successful model that combines vision with practical delivery.

Kelly Kennedy-Smith from Memories Are Golden said: "The additional room at Haverhill Leisure Centre will enable us to welcome more people living with dementia and provide much-needed respite for their carers. We are incredibly grateful to Abbeycroft, West Suffolk Council, Suffolk County Council and Haverhill Town Council, and to everyone who has supported and donated to this project. A special thank you goes to Paul Trinder Building Services and the entire team for their generosity, hard work and ongoing commitment. Paul has been a valued supporter of Memories Are Golden for many years and has witnessed our growth every step of the way. Their contribution has been instrumental in helping us achieve this milestone. We would also like to thank JMP Furniture Solutions for generously donating their time and expertise to help prepare the space for opening.

Warren Smyth, CEO at Abbeycroft, said: “We are proud to help grow the space for Memories Are Golden at Haverhill Leisure Centre. This is exactly what our centres are for - supporting local people to live well. By increasing capacity to 90 places a week and securing the hub here for the next five years, more families in Haverhill will get the practical help and friendly support they deserve.”

Cllr Donna Higgins, Cabinet Member for Families and Communities at West Suffolk Council, said: “I am delighted that together with Abbeycroft we have been able to help secure additional space for Memories are Golden so they can continue their amazing work which benefits and supports the local community.

“The charity has also been supported with £3,000 from locality budgets of West Suffolk Cllrs Pat Hanlon, Margaret Marks, Joe Mason, David Smith and Liz Smith. The funding will help towards the extension of the day care meeting room and dining area, which will enable more users to enjoy the activities provided.”

Find out more about Memories Are Golden
 

Press release originally shared by Abbeycroft and photo credit to Phil Morley Photography.

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