"Rye Memorial Hospital will still be called Rye Memorial Hospital, and that will never change," said Charlotte Kneer, the chief executive of the charity that runs the hospital and the Hub on Rye Hill. The charity is changing its name to Rye Health and Care. "By bringing everything under one clear name, we can explain our purpose more effectively, reduce confusion, and strengthen our ability to raise funds that directly benefit local people.".
A naming ceremony will be part of a community Open Day at The Hub on Tuesday 28 July 10am to 2pm.
Charlotte Kneer said the new name reflects the work of the charity today. "For many years, the charity has supported far more than the hospital alone - from major community initiatives at the Hub, to funding local education, to maintaining the land that key medical services rely on. Charitable funds in excess of £150,000 have been spent in the last year alone at the Hub on initiatives that support the community.”
However, she acknowledged some residents are still unsure of the rebrand. "Many people have expressed concern that changing the charity’s name might mean moving away from the hospital or its history. We want to reassure everyone that this is absolutely not the case. The rebrand does not replace our past, it helps us protect it, explain it more clearly, and build on it for the future.”
The Open Day will give visitors the chance to:
- Meet the team behind Rye Health and Care
- Learn how the charity supports both the hospital and wider community services
- Explore the Hub and discover the projects funded through charitable giving
- See the new identity and website in action
- Ask questions, share views and understand how this evolution protects our past while preparing us for the future
Open Day: Tuesday 28 July 10am-2pm The Hub on Rye Hill