Methodist Church and Rainbow Centre plan all-in-one support hub

A £5 million partnership project has been announced that will expand essential services for the vulnerable in Folkestone, where homelessness has doubled in the past two years.

- By CATHERINE LANGSTON

The current church building in Sandgate Road FOLKESTONE METHODIST CHURCH

The Folkestone Rainbow Centre and Folkestone Methodist Church have joined forces to demolish the existing Methodist Church in Sandgate Road and construct a purpose-built facility that will serve as a year-round multi-service hub. Building plans have been submitted, with demolition hoped to begin soon after approval.

The project addresses critical gaps in Folkestone’s provision at a time when the town faces acute challenges.

115 households are currently in temporary accommodation in the area, and four Folkestone neighbourhoods rank in the top 10 per cent most deprived nationally, with a child poverty rate of 19.1 per cent and a ten-year life expectancy gap between different wards.