Kent MP visits Demelza’s Sittingbourne site

Herne Bay and Sandwich MP Sir Roger Gale visited the Sittingbourne site on Monday (July 27) to meet CEO Lavinia Jarrett.

Sir Roger is a long-standing supporter of Demelza and last visited in November 2024.

He had a look around the grounds and particularly enjoyed meeting our resident Trail with a Tale sculpture, a tortoise who was decorated by children and families supported by Demelza along with Celebrity Ambassador Cheryl Baker.

On his visit, Roger spoke with Lavinia about funding, the incredible support Demelza gets from its communities, which provide 84% of the funds needed to make our work possible and how the charity is working with local integrated care boards.

Sir Roger said: “Like all such dedicated and specialist establishments, Demelza finds it increasingly challenging to meet demand.

“I look forward to working with Kevin McKenna, Demelza’s supportive constituency MP and my Kent colleagues on a cross-party basis to seek to ensure that this truly wonderful facility and its staff receive from central government and from the local integrated care board the financial backing it needs.

“Without this, the services Demelza offers would have to be provided, at greater cost and with less positive outcomes, by the NHS.”

Demelza’s CEO, Lavinia Jarrett, said: “It was great to speak to Roger again - he is so supportive of Demelza’s important work across the county and beyond.

“We discussed some potential ways forward to improve lack of statutory funding and further engagement with the amazing communities who support us and make our work possible.”