Community hubs and community spaces

We are fortunate to have a variety of community spaces available for residents, to frequent for both support needs and recreation. Below is a snapshot of some of these facilities.

Community Hubs

The Community Hubs were set up in March 2020 as a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the needs of shielding residents and other vulnerable people.

Following the pandemic the relationship with the Community Hubs continued to grow, enabling ongoing support to vulnerable people and residents across a wide range of issues.

This has included support to communities with Cost of Living help and assistance, support to the Ukraine community, running of Warm Spaces during the winter months, drop in opportunities for different services (e.g. Housing and Welfare support).

The Community Hubs continue to utilise volunteers to carry out shopping, make regular calls to address loneliness and isolation, and to signpost to support for mental health 

The hubs also provide a space for those aged 50+ to get support and advice on a wide range of subjects, as well as somewhere to participate in different groups (e.g. art, exercise, cancer support, etc), or simply to have a natter over a cup of tea!

Folkestone Community Hub

The Marigold Centre, 65 Shaftesbury Avenue, Folkestone, CT19 4NS

Opening hours: 9am – 4pm, Monday-Friday (except bank holidays)

Folkestone Community Hub is hosted by Age UK South Kent Coast, we also provide information & advice, independent living services and wellbeing activities for people aged 50+ including those living with dementia.

Our hub is a modern, welcoming space – pop in for coffee, take part in a free activity, get help with your benefits, or volunteer your time.

Our home meal service delivers fresh, nutritious meals 7 days a week, we also offer activities in the community from Drag Bingo to Social Cycling and everything in between!

Hythe Community Hub

Sanford House, Stade Street, Hythe, CT21 6BD

Opening hours:  Monday-Friday 9am-3.30pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am-2pm,

Hythe Community Hub offers a variety of support, services and activities including a warm safe and a social environment to meet others.

There is no age limit at the Hub, everyone is welcome, the café is always open and if you are struggling at home we are here to help and advise where possible.

Romney Marsh Community Hub

Sunflower House, Rolfe Lane, New Romney, TN28 8JR

Opening hours: 9am-4pm, Monday-Friday

Other Community Spaces

View Physical health and wellbeing information

Folkestone Nepalese Community Centre

The Folkestone Nepalese Community Centre (FNCC), based in Cheriton was opened in October 2021. With a significant Gurkha population in the district, the need for a support network for the Nepalese community was important. The FNCC provides support to older and more vulnerable residents and helps build strong relationships in and across communities. The community centre includes a welfare support office, a meeting room, event and socialising spaces, and an IT room.

The centre is run by the Folkestone Nepalese Community (FNC), a charitable incorporated organisation.

The centre is vitally important, especially for the older age groups who find it harder to access services and participate in group activities. Having their own community centre has made a huge difference. Activities at the centre include the monthly veteran hub meeting, digital skills sessions, health and wellbeing support, creative and social activities.

Sunflower House

Sunflower House is based in East Folkestone and provides a variety of support services for the community. This includes a repair café, drop in sessions for mental health support, language lessons for Ukrainian families. Sunflower House are expanding and now have another venue - The Community Room. This new purpose built community space is located in The Bayle - right in the centre of town - The new venture will provide a smaller space ideal for activities such as history or heritage talks, support groups or councillor surgeries.

Romney Resource Centre

The Romney Resource Centre is a charity dedicated to empowering the people of the Romney Marsh with a wide range of educational, training and community initiatives.

101 High Street Open Door Project

The 101 Open Door Project is a community facility based in Hythe for local residents offering information, advice and support as well as access to meeting room facilities. A number of charitable and voluntary groups offer their services on a regular weekly or monthly basis with trained staff and volunteers from organisations including The Royal British Legion, the Rotary Club, Dementia Forum, Rainbow Centre, South Kent Mind, and Tynwald.

Display boards and leaflets promote local events and support services, providing visitors with the contact details of a range of local groups.

Turner Stone Community Hub

The Turner Stone Community Hub, based at Folkestone Academy, provides a link between the Turner Schools and the local community. It provides support for families, including with school uniforms, as well as offering a range of adult evening classes and a youth club for 10 – 16 year olds.

Hythe Pantry

The Hythe Pantry offers members the opportunity to purchase a weekly shop worth £20-25, including fresh fruit and vegetables and meat and dairy products, for £5. This scheme is open to anyone in the district who is struggling to make ends meet. The Pantry also offers a community space where members can have refreshments and chat to volunteers or professionals from other organisations, such as those offering financial advice.

To access this service you need to apply for membership via the