Charity closing centre at Grade II listed building

Brainkind will close its service in the Chantry in Ipswich as it said the building was no longer fit for purpose

A charity said it was with "deep regret" that it would close its Suffolk service as its current 350-year-old building was "no longer fit for purpose".

Brainkind, that supports people with brain injuries, will close its centre in Chantry Park in Ipswich on 30 April next year.

Ayesha Trott, the charity's executive director of service delivery, said the Grade II listed building required a multi-million pound investment to meet modern healthcare standards.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated the service as requires improvement earlier this year after regulation breaches were found.

Brainkind took over the service at the Chantry from the Sue Ryder charity in 2023 and has 18 people currently in its care.

The building is owned by Ipswich Borough Council and was built in 1668.

Ms Trott said the wellbeing of patients was the charity's "number one priority".

"It is with deep regret that we can no longer deliver our services from The Chantry," she said.

"As a 350-year-old Grade II listed building it is both costly and difficult to maintain and develop in line with modern healthcare needs and practices.

"The people we care for live with complex neurological conditions and can also suffer from physical disabilities, dementia and sensory impairments.

"Sadly, the building's design and setting within a public park means it is no longer fit for purpose and is limiting the experience of the people we support."

She added that the charity had explored other options, but had not found a suitable alternative local site.

The 18 people in its care would be "safely relocated to appropriate settings", Ms Trott said, and they were working to redeploy 90 members of staff whose jobs were now at risk.

The CQC said in its report that three regulation breaches relating to medicine, premises, and equipment and governance were found.

Neil MacDonald said the council was disappointed by Brainkind's closure in Ipswich

A spokesperson for Ipswich Borough Council said there were no future plans for the building, "but these will be considered in due course".

Council leader Neil MacDonald said he was "disappointed" by the news.

"We welcome the commitment that Brainkind has made to work closely with the council, and other partners, to ensure that the people in its care are safely relocated to appropriate settings, and that they do everything they can to support their employees to find suitable alternative employment in the local area," said the Labour councillor.