At The Alnwick Garden, we’ve always believed in creating a place for everyone. Our wonderful volunteer, Sue Simpson, put it best when she described us as “a garden for all to enjoy.”
One of the most heartfelt expressions of this is our Drop-In Centre, which this year proudly marks its 10th anniversary. Situated in the middle of our courtyard, it has become a fundamental part of The Garden and represents everything we are passionate about creating: community, companionship and celebration.
Established by the Duchess of Northumberland with a clear and powerful mission, the Centre aims to combat loneliness and isolation by providing a safe space for people in their later years to connect. So far, we have had 50,000 visits from members of the local community, an astounding achievement of which we are extremely proud.
The Centre is designed to feel familiar and comfortable, much like sitting down in the home of a friend. Its creation and evolution have been a collaborative effort, and we would like to give our thanks to all those who have been involved in this journey.
In particular, we express our gratitude to the Stuart Halbert Foundation, whose generous donations were invaluable in helping us achieve the safe, inviting space we envisioned.
What truly makes this venue special is the people – thanks to our dedicated volunteers and extraordinary visitors, it is always filled with laughter and conversation. However, there is one individual without whom this would not have been possible: our beloved volunteer, Sue. Her kindness and passion know no bounds and have profoundly impacted the lives of so many. She truly embodies the spirit of this project, and we are exceptionally grateful for her contribution.
If you, or anyone you know, would benefit from visiting our Drop In Centre, we would love to welcome you. We are open every Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, and can guarantee there will be a friendly face waiting to greet you.
We are delighted to share this year’s Social Impact report, which proudly highlights the impact The Alnwick Garden Trust has made in our community over 2024/25. The Trust is truly unique, not only providing a destination for a great day out, but also as the home of life changing programmes that support those most in need.
