While the space is still empty for now, this moment marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Centre and everyone we support.

We were also delighted to feature on BBC Radio Kent, sharing more about the work we do, and we received some incredibly generous donations.

Keys to Our New Home

At the start of this month, we picked up the keys to our new home. While it’s not quite ready yet, this is a huge step forward — and we’re so looking forward to welcoming everyone through the doors in the future.

Just along the road from our current building in Monson Road, the new Centre will give us the opportunity to create a bigger, more accessible space for our community.

Deputy Chair of Trustees, Angela Ward shares:

“We hope to have room for six or seven therapy rooms, as well as a light-filled art therapy space on the second floor. We’ll also have the same welcoming lounge area downstairs, plus a fully fitted kitchen and an airy conservatory.

Importantly, it’s key that our new Centre is fully accessible to everyone, so we’ll have a lift to reach all floors. There’s a lot of work to do before we can officially move in, so we will continue operating from our existing Centre until then, ensuring visitors are fully supported throughout.”

Looking ahead to 2026, we’re also hoping to build stronger links with local businesses. We’ve recently launched the Pickering Partners scheme, where companies can support the Centre from as little as £50 a month.

If you’re part of a local business and would like to find out more, we’d love to have a conversation.

Community Support

We were delighted to welcome three members of the U3A crochet group, who came to visit us after hearing our recent BBC Radio Kent broadcast.

They have kindly offered to make handmade items for us to sell in support of Pickering. The photograph below shows an example of the beautiful creations they have previously made for a charity stall last year.

These lovely handmade goods will soon be available to purchase at the Centre, alongside some Easter items generously made by other members of our community.

Donations

We’ve been incredibly grateful to receive some wonderful support this month, and we’d love to highlight the people and groups who have made a difference.

The Abergavennians

Our sincere thanks to the Abergavennians and its members for their donation of £2,976 to Pickering.

The society was named in memory of its President, The Marquis of Abergavenny, and several times a year members come together to play at golf courses away from Tunbridge Wells, share a meal, and raise funds for a local charity through raffles, auctions and personal contributions.

Each year, the Captain selects the charity to support. In 2025, Captain Richard Trapp chose the Pickering Centre — something we are truly grateful for.

Over the past nine years, the society has raised an incredible £25,000 for local charities. What an amazing contribution to the local community.

Penshurst Christmas Market

Thank you to Rob Rees, who recently visited us to present the proceeds from the Penshurst Christmas Market — a wonderful £3,500 raised in support of Pickering.

TWODS – Tunbridge Wells Operatic & Dramatic Society

We were also delighted to welcome Kevin Denman and Jon Alcock from TWODS, who presented a donation of £2,500.

We’re especially thankful for their ongoing support, including donating theatre tickets to our visitors so they can enjoy a special evening out.

Their next production, Evita, will be at the Assembly Hall Theatre from 26–30 May.

To everyone who continues to support Pickering in so many different ways — thank you. Your kindness helps us continue to be here for those who need us

BBC Radio Kent

Our Centre Manager, Caroline McGibney, recently had a chat with Lucy Horobin on BBC Radio Kent about the work we do at The Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre.

It was a wonderful opportunity to share more about the support we offer and the difference our Centre makes to people affected by cancer in our community.

Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine

This month, we were delighted to feature in Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine.

In the article, our Deputy Chair of Trustees, Angela Ward, shares why 2026 will be a year of significant change for The Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre, following our 21st anniversary last year.

As we prepare to move into larger premises, we’re also hoping to welcome more volunteers and build stronger connections with corporate supporters — helping us extend our support to even more people in the community.

You can read the full article here:

Thanks to Darren, Julie and all the members at Nevill for supporting us!

The project with the most votes will receive £1,500 donation — every token really does make a difference!

Thank you for your support.

Your support means the world to us and makes such a difference to the people we help.

This lovely robin was drawn by one of our visitors alongside our art therapist, Doron. A beautiful reminder of the creativity and togetherness that fills the Centre.

A heartfelt thank you to Andrew Pentecost, who stepped in at fairly short notice to conduct and lead us so wonderfully. Many of you will know Andrew as one of our complementary therapists at the Centre and we’re so grateful for his support.

The choir was made up of a lovely mix of Pickering volunteers and visitors, alongside members of Michele’s choir and her friends – many people commented that our much-missed friend Michele would have been incredibly proud.

Thank you to everyone who sang, supported and joined us — it was a truly festive and meaningful afternoon.

It was a lovely afternoon filled with good company, a delicious lunch, and a raffle with some wonderful prizes. To round off the day, our guests were treated to entertainment from The Heartbeats.

Thank you to everyone who joined us.

Photos by David Bartholomew.

A heartfelt thank you to Valentines Family Funeral Directors for organising this event.

A huge thank you to Dominic Johnson and Harry Birch for organising the event and to the other eight brilliant comedians who took part. It was a packed night full of laughs — a mixture of jokes, real-life stories, puns and a nod to the lack of water in Tunbridge Wells the previous week!

Photographs by David Bartholomew.