Brainkind to Close Historic Chantry Park Care Centre as 350-Year-Old Building Is 'No Longer Fit for Purpose'

Brainkind to close Chantry Park centre after deeming 350-year-old building unsuitable

Brainkind, a UK charity supporting people with brain injuries, has announced it will close its care centre at The Chantry in Chantry Park, Ipswich, on 30 April next year. The charity said the Grade II listed building — built in 1668 and owned by Ipswich Borough Council — would require a multi-million-pound investment to meet modern healthcare standards.

Ayesha Trott, Brainkind's executive director of service delivery, said the charity's "number one priority" is the wellbeing of the people in its care and that continuing at the site is no longer viable.

"It is with deep regret that we can no longer deliver our services from The Chantry," Trott 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 may also have physical disabilities, dementia or 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."

Brainkind took over the Chantry service from the Sue Ryder charity in 2023 and currently supports 18 people at the site. The charity said those residents will be "safely relocated to appropriate settings" and that it is working to redeploy around 90 members of staff whose roles are at risk due to the closure.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated the service as "requires improvement" earlier this year after identifying three breaches of regulation relating to medicines, premises and equipment, and governance.

An Ipswich Borough Council spokesperson said there are no immediate plans for The Chantry building, "but these will be considered in due course." Council leader Neil MacDonald described the news as "disappointing" and welcomed Brainkind's commitment to work with the council and partner organisations to ensure residents are relocated safely and staff are supported to find alternative employment locally.

Next steps

Brainkind said it is coordinating closely with regulators, local authorities, families and partners to plan safe relocations and staff redeployment. The charity added it explored alternative local sites but did not identify a suitable location that meets the complex needs of the people it supports.

If further updates become available, Brainkind and Ipswich Borough Council said they will share details with residents’ families and the local community.