The new Maggie’s centre will be built in the grounds of Maidstone Hospital, part of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
The new Maggie’s centre has been designed by Assemble and will include a warm and welcoming kitchen area as well as rooms for one-to-one support and larger spaces for groups, exercise classes and more. The design aims to create a building embedded in the culture, landscape, geology and heritage of Kent.
The centre will be there to support the 11,000 people diagnosed with cancer in Kent every year as well as those living with cancer as well as family and friends. It is expected to support 20,000 visits annually upon completion in 2028. The fundraising campaign is in the early phase of a £7m campaign.
The design will also celebrate natural and local materials to create a space that is beautiful and richly atmospheric and create a sense of familiarity for people coming from across Kent.
Integrating nature with design
Maggie’s understands the importance of contact with nature for mental and physical health in creating an inspiring experience, which is why the garden at the centre is an integrated part of the concept, by Landscape Architects J&L Gibbons who designed the landscape for the Natural History Museum.
Architect Anthony Engi-Meacock said: “It is wonderful that we have secured planning permission for the new Maggie’s at Maidstone hospital. Maggie’s are special places that enable their staff and volunteers to deliver extraordinary work. It is a privilege to be part of a team who believe in, and demonstrate, the value of design to create uplifting spaces that nourish those who inhabit them. We look forward to continuing work to bring Maggie’s to Kent.”
There are 27 Maggie’s Centres across the UK
Maggie’s chief executive Dame Laura Lee DBE said: “We are delighted to have planning permission to build our new Maggie’s in Kent.
“We have been working closely with Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust to bring our free expert support to the people of the whole Kent region, so it is wonderful we are now a step closer.
“Our Kent centre is progress towards our ambition to have 60 centres across the UK so no one faces cancer alone.”
Miles Scott, chief executive for MTW, said: “This exciting partnership with Maggie’s represents an important step in how we care for people – not just by delivering world-class medical treatment, but by recognising and responding to the emotional and practical toll cancer takes.
“This new centre – just a short walk away from the Kent Oncology Centre – will offer patients and their families a sense of community, guidance and strength at a time when they need it most. We are looking forward to seeing the project develop and the positive difference it will make for our communities over the coming years.”
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