 |
Abbeycroft work with partners to ensure Dementia Hub expands
08 Jul 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.”
back
|
| Latest member news |
 |
|
GLL Literary Foundation marks first year success at the House of Lords
Charitable social enterprise GLL brought together invited guests from across
Parliament, local government, national sector bodies, cultural organisations, the
literary community and sports bodies at a celebration to mark the successful first
year of the GLL Literary Foundation.
read more...
New brochure explains the benefits of the charitable trust model as part of local government reorganisation
Community Leisure UK has produced a new booklet for Local Authorities who are in
the process of becoming a Unitary Authority. Titled “How Charities and Social Enterprises can deliver
efficient, effective and people-focused public leisure and culture services” it features case studies from
CLUK’s membership including Lincs Inspire, Horizon Leisure Trust and Circadian.
read more...
South Downs Leisure begins major £2 million Worthing Leisure Centre redevelopment
South Downs Leisure (SDL) has officially begun a major £2 million redevelopment of
Worthing Leisure Centre, with the first phase of works now underway at the popular
multi-purpose facility.
read more...
Newport Live’s Aspire Programme a ‘game-changer’ for young people
Newport Live’s Aspire programme has celebrated another successful year with its
Annual Record of Achievement event, held at The Riverfront Theatre & Arts Centre. The event recognised
the achievements of students within the Aspire programme which is Newport Live’s alternative education
programme delivered in partnership with Newport City Council.
read more...
|
|
Barnsley Premier Leisure Chair awarded MBE for services to the community in Barnsley
Barnsley Premier Leisure (BPL) is proud to announce that its Chair, Valerie Mills,
has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition
of her outstanding services to the community in Barnsley.
read more...
Edinburgh upgrade set to strengthen athletics
A major improvement project at Saughton Sports Complex will help safeguard
athletics provision in west Edinburgh and create a stronger future for local
clubs, schools and community users.
read more...
Care-experienced young people represent Newport at national football tournament
Care-experienced young people supported by Newport City Council recently took part
in a national football tournament at MK Dons Stadium in Milton Keynes, enjoying a
memorable opportunity to compete at a prestigious venue.
read more...
Abbeycroft work with partners to ensure Dementia Hub expands
The Dementia Hub, run by Memories Are Golden at Haverhill Leisure Centre, has been
extended, increasing weekly capacity from 60 to 90 people.
read more...
Long-term leisure partnerships set to strengthen health and wellbeing across Adur and Worthing
South Downs Leisure has confirmed the extension of its leisure contracts with both
Adur District Council and Worthing Borough Council to 21 years, marking a major
long-term commitment to community leisure, health and wellbeing across the area.
read more...
|
| Business partner news |
|
|
|
|
07 Jul 2026
X-Club gears up to open its flagship site in central London
Luxury boutique Pilates and wellness studio, X-Club, officially launches a
4,000sq ft flagship at
Marylebone on 16 July Built around X-Club’s four pillars of wellness – mind,
movement,
nutrition and therapy – the facility features two group exercise studi
read more...
03 Jul 2026
Industry veterans partner to launch women-only strength brand, LiftHer
An ambitious women’s-only strength and lifting studio concept is set to launch in Dallas this
September, with a wider US rollout already in active development.
read more...
02 Jul 2026
Omnigym collaborates on an outdoor gym for homeless people
Finnish outdoor fitness equipment specialist, Omnigym, has partnered with charity, Emmaüs
Solidarité, to launch an outdoor gym installation at a homeless shelter in Paris.
read more...
02 Jul 2026
Virgin Active opens social wellness club in London's Mayfair
Virgin Active has officially opened its redesigned Mayfair club, unveiling its latest Social Wellness Club and
signalling a significant evolution of its proposition.
read more...
|
|
01 Jul 2026
Steve Nelson promoted to MD of Serco Leisure
Steve Nelson takes up the role of managing director of Serco Leisure today (1 July 2026),
following 18 years with the company where he has progressed through many roles, most
recently director of leisure.
read more...
30 Jun 2026
Myzone report shows importance of longevity and social connection
Longevity is the most important motivator for today’s exercisers and social connection is key,
according to a report by Myzone.
read more...
29 Jun 2026
Industry mourns the loss of Les Mills, a founding father of fitness
Les Mills, whose name became synonymous with one of the world's leading fitness brands, has
passed away peacefully at the age of 91.
read more...
26 Jun 2026
HCM News: Taking GLP-1s is linked to a decline in physical activity
People taking GLP-1 weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound
may be losing weight, but they’re also becoming less physically active, according to new
research presented at the ENDO 2026 annual meeting of the Endocrine Society
read more...
|
|
|
|
| General Meetings & Events |
 |
|
AGM: Glasgow
25 November 2026
|
SERIOUSLY SOCIAL AWARDS
25 November 2026
|
| Regional Meetings |
|
|
Wales
16 July 2026
|
| Special Interest Groups |
|
|
iTrent
3 August 2026
|
Health Scotland
11 August 2026
|
Sales & Retention
18 August 2026
|
|
For more information about Special Interest Group and regional / national members meetings, please contact [email protected]
|
|
