Tulip Tree Luncheon Club Closure

Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forest has today sadly confirmed that its Luncheon Club activities at the Tulip Tree Centre in Castle Road, Kidderminster will be closing on Friday 16th February 2018.

Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest was formed in 2016, following the merger of three local Age UK charities.  In creating the new charity it was hoped that, as a larger organisation, we would be better positioned to respond to an increasingly challenging economic climate and demands being placed on charities, so that we could continue to provide valuable support to older people and their families across North Worcestershire.

Recent financial assessments of the organisation have, however, necessitated a review of all of our services, activities and operations to improve efficiencies.

On the 4th January 2018, the Board of Trustees held an extraordinary meeting to review and approve a programme of sustainability and transformation activities aimed at ensuring the continued operation of Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forest.

Despite exploring a range of opportunities to improve the sustainability of the Tulip Tree Luncheon Club, losses incurred by the Centre over the last three years are no longer sustainable.  After meeting and consulting with staff, the decision was taken by the Board of Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forest to close the Luncheon Club activities at the Tulip Tree Centre.

In response to the announcement, Alison Schofield, Chief Executive Officer for Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forest, said:

“These are challenging times for the third sector which is facing increasing pressures to deliver more, whilst at the same time opportunities for grants and contract funding are reducing significantly.  The funding landscape to support lunch clubs has been bleak for many years and the decision to stop subsidising the service has been a very difficult decision to make as we know how much the Luncheon Club means to people.

Despite our current challenges, our commitment to supporting the needs of local older people remains unchanged.  Members of my team are currently doing their utmost to support Tulip Tree Lunch Club Members with accessing alternative local lunches and activities, and with maintaining the important friendships and social contacts that they have made, in addition to ensuring that they have access to information on other support services that might be available to them. 

 I remain hopeful that, through the steps that we are taking and with the continued support of the local community, we can we can transform the organisation and that we can continue to be recognised as the key charity dedicated to supporting local older people.

I would, however, also like appeal to members of the wider community for its support.  From donating to, or visiting one of our eight shops across North Worcestershire, to fundraising, sponsoring and volunteering, everyone can get involved and do something to help us ensure that Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forest can continue to be there for older people, their families and their carers.”

For more information about this announcement and/ or for information on how you can support Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forest please contact:
Jo Hughes - Age UK BRWF Marketing Executive
Telephone: 01527 868855
Email: Jo.Hughes@ageukbrwf.org.uk