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Charitable & Voluntary Organisations
Find local charities, nonprofit and voluntary organisations in Ipswich and the surrounding areas
Organisation
Description
A nonprofit that works across Suffolk to motivate, support and inspire people living in areas of deprivation.
A registered charity that helps raise awareness of knife and gang crime in Suffolk.
Bike Active North Suffolk is a volunteer-run charity based in Halesworth that promotes cycling as a way to improve physical and mental health in rural Suffolk. The organisation supports cyclists of all abilities and works to break down barriers such as isolation through gentle exercise in the countryside. As a British Cycling affiliated club, they rely on donations and grants to provide their services to the local community.
A BME support group in Ipswich open to all communities.
For over 200 years, Catch22 has designed and delivered services that build resilience and aspiration in people and communities.
Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity supports East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust’s vision to continue improving the patient experience and being an outstanding provider of health services.
Dora Brown is a small charity based in Suffolk that transforms homes for families in crisis.
FareShare prevents good food from going to waste by redistributing it to charities and community groups across East Anglia.
A charity that helps members of the UK's fire services community to live healthier and happier.
Home-Start Suffolk is the county’s largest family support charity, dedicated to empowering parents with the skills, knowledge and emotional resilience to raise their children to flourish. They have been supporting families across the county for more than 24 years, and in 2021, volunteers were recognised for their incredible work by being awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Services.
A network of more than 280 fully trained volunteers that offer practical and confidential emotional support when they need it most.
HOPE After Suicide Loss provides specialist support to adults across Norfolk and Suffolk who have been bereaved by suicide. The organisation offers peer-to-peer group meetings, one-to-one telephone and online support, and limited professional counselling services. Their mission is to reduce isolation and provide understanding within a community that recognises the unique challenges of suicide bereavement.
Hopestead is a charity that wants to end homelessness in the East of England. They give their time, resources, skills, and money to tackle the causes and impacts of homelessness as well as homelessness itself. It is part of the Flagship Group.
The ISCRE has provided the town of Ipswich with a racial equality team since 1977.
ihAg supports people living with homelessness, and those facing the risk of homelessness due to the challenges of everyday life through adversity to security.
Ipswich Windrush Society celebrates and promotes the cultural heritage, history, and ongoing contributions of the Windrush Generation and their descendants in Ipswich.
Leeway provides support to adults and young people looking to break free from domestic abuse in Suffolk and Norfolk.
In the news
Suffolk researchers test whether singing can treat Parkinson's 'poker face'
Researchers in Suffolk are launching what they believe is the first UK study testing whether musical-theatre-style singing can rehabilitate facial expression in Parkinson's patients – addressing a symptom that affects around 9 in 10 people but has limited treatment options.News
Lighting expert's festive display supports St Elizabeth Hospice
A 6,500-LED Christmas light show is lighting up an Ipswich home for the 12th year, with thousands of synchronised lights dancing to music while raising funds for local hospice care.News
Ipswich firm buys vital shower covers for cancer patients
Cancer patients at Ipswich Hospital will no longer have to buy specialist covers to protect their treatment lines while showering, after a local family business donated almost £4,000 to provide them free of charge.News
The community organisations helping thousands in Suffolk access mental health support outside the NHS
Twenty-two local voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise groups in Suffolk have worked together through a two-year NHS-funded programme to provide mental health support, demonstrating how community organisations complement statutory services in addressing serious mental health challenges.News
Suffolk charity expands domestic abuse support after police commission new service
Anglia Care Trust has been commissioned by Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner to provide support for all 'Standard' risk domestic abuse cases identified by police, expanding its services beyond its existing 24-hour helpline.News
College and university launch charity-business platform
Suffolk New College and University of Suffolk brought together over a dozen local charities and businesses in a new event designed to build partnerships beyond traditional fundraising. Organisers plan to make it an annual Christmas fixture.News
Male suicide prevention training launched for Suffolk firms
Suffolk Mind has launched free training to teach businesses how to spot warning signs of suicide among working-age men and start conversations around mental health.News
From Portman Road to precious memories: An Ipswich love story
Charlie and Wendy Clarke's romance began at a football match in 1972 and lasted over 50 years, surviving promotions, cup finals, and ultimately Wendy's terminal illness – with St Elizabeth Hospice ensuring their final months together were filled with dignity, love, and even a visit from Ipswich Town players.Feature
How one Ipswich lunch club turned eight members into a family of 30
What started with eight members in 2007 has grown into a thriving community of 30 people who gather every Tuesday, proving that a simple hot meal can transform lives and build lasting friendships.News
Does volunteering actually work for young people?
Volunteering is booming in Ipswich, with organisations like Volunteering Matters pushing it into the spotlight. The question is: does it work? Can giving your time for free really help you navigate an increasingly brutal job market?Feature
New Ipswich Monopoly board launches today with Ipswich.co.uk among coveted spots
Nineteen years on from the first edition, the official Ipswich Monopoly launched this morning, featuring over 30 local landmarks and organisations, including Ipswich.co.uk on one of three Community Chest squares. The football club claims the board's top spot 19 years after the town's first version.News
Ipswich helping Ipswich: Town rallies to support Jamaican namesake after Hurricane Melissa
One Ipswich community is coming to the aid of another 4,800 miles away, as local organisers coordinate a donation drive to support the Jamaican neighbourhood's recovery following Hurricane Melissa.News
Hospices launch Christmas tree recycling scheme across Ipswich
St Elizabeth Hospice and East Anglia's Children's Hospices are accepting registrations for their fifth annual tree-cycling initiative, which collects Christmas trees from homes across 19 postcodes in Ipswich and the surrounding area.News
Repair work begins on 15th century St Lawrence Church in Ipswich
St Lawrence Church on Dial Lane will undergo restoration work to repair stonework and flint on its exterior after concerns that parts of the Grade II* listed building were at risk of falling onto the public below.News
Two deaths, no headlines: Inside Ipswich's hidden homelessness crisis
Last year, two people died while sleeping rough in Ipswich. Their deaths went unpublicised, part of a crisis affecting around a thousand people on any given night – most of them invisible in official counts.Feature
Behind Suffolk's three-year autism waits, campaigners say they're in mediation with the council
With suicide rates significantly higher among autistic people, Suffolk's three-year assessment waits aren't just frustrating – campaigners say they're potentially fatal.Feature
End-of-life volunteer completes gruelling 21-mile hospital hike
A volunteer who supports families receiving end-of-life care at Ipswich Hospital has completed a challenging 21-mile charity walk, raising over £1,600 to help ensure no patient faces their final days alone.News
Sizewell C funds programme for underrepresented youth
Sizewell C has funded a two-year programme designed to support young people from underrepresented communities across Suffolk into careers.News
How Ipswich's new approach to men's mental health could change support nationwide
Suffolk Mind, MANUP?, and Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust have launched a new approach to men's mental health in Ipswich that strips away clinical jargon and stigma.News
Suffolk residents can register land as private nature reserve to help wildlife
From gardens to 12-acre plots, landowners across Suffolk are turning their spaces into private nature reserves. The network has just passed 1,000 hectares, with free support from Suffolk Wildlife Trust specialists.News
Suffolk rivers under the spotlight at Ipswich talk this week
An expert from Suffolk Wildlife Trust will explain the state of Suffolk's rivers and what can be done to protect them at a public talk in Ipswich on Wednesday, 24 September.News
Join October's Hospital Hero Hike to support patients
Walkers can sign up for the 21-mile Hospital Hero Hike on Saturday, 4 October, raising funds to support patients and staff across East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust.News
Suicide bereavement charity receives over £3,000 boost from Co-op community fund
Hope After Suicide Loss will provide four months of professional counselling to bereaved Suffolk families after receiving Co-op community funding.News
Hospice art trail raises £250k to support local care
A summer of creativity across Suffolk has raised more than £250,000 for St Elizabeth Hospice, showing how collective action can fund vital local care.News
Firefighters go the extra mile with stretcher challenge for local charity
Suffolk firefighters are pushing their limits by running 21km while carrying a weighted stretcher to support The Fire Fighters Charity and Stowmarket Saturday ASD Club, with a target of £1,000 for each cause.News
From heartbreak to healing: Grief disco comes to Suffolk
When Georgina Jones lost her 16-month-old son Osian in 2023, she turned to dancing to cope. Now her idea, Grief Disco, is coming to Suffolk for the first time.News
At this Ipswich café, careers begin with conversation
Chloe used to stay in bed all day with no energy. Now she trains new staff and works four days a week at an Ipswich café where people thrive.Feature
Charity plant sale showcases how gardening brings Ipswich community together
ActivLives' autumn plant sale on Thursday, 25 September, is just one example of how the charity uses gardening to improve health and wellbeing while bringing people together across Ipswich and Suffolk.News
Volunteers needed for Suffolk's Whole Hog mud run
Ormiston Families is recruiting volunteers aged 16 and over for Suffolk's famous Whole Hog mud run on Saturday, 5 October 2025.News
Community spirit shines as Ipswich Colour Run breaks fundraising records
From families being showered in powder paint to touching tributes to lost loved ones, this year's sold-out Ipswich Colour Run showcased the best of community support for local NHS services, smashing previous fundraising totals.News
New pledge ensures sexual violence survivors in Suffolk get help wherever they turn
Six Suffolk charities have committed to a "no wrong door" approach that guarantees any survivor reaching out for support will be welcomed and connected to appropriate services, eliminating the risk of being bounced between organisations.News
Law firm Birketts welcomes six new trainee solicitors to Ipswich office
Six aspiring solicitors have started their legal careers at Birketts' Ipswich office, joining 29 trainees across the firm as the regional law practice continues to invest in developing future legal talent.News
Suffolk Mind first to land coveted spot on new Ipswich Monopoly board
The multi-award-winning mental health charity becomes the first local organisation confirmed for the special edition launching this Christmas.News
College students build wishing well for hospice inspired by staff's family experiences
Two college instructors whose parents were cared for by St Elizabeth Hospice have led a project to handcraft a permanent wishing well tribute for the charity's garden.News
Rough sleeper's six-month journey from addiction to advocacy
Six months ago, Chris was consuming 130 units of alcohol a day whilst sleeping rough in Woodbridge. Today, he's sober, rebuilding family relationships, and planning to mentor others in similar situations.News
Ipswich coffee firm brews up support for mental health
Paddy & Scott's has created a new decaffeinated coffee called Clear Mind, donating 25p from each bag sold to Suffolk Mind to fund mental health services.News
Needham Market teen wins award for anti-knife crime and youth mental health work
DJ Mudziviri, 18, received a community champion award from Eastern Education Group for setting up Better Youth UK to help young people avoid gang violence and drugs.News
East of England Co-op opens second Ipswich store in two weeks
The regional retailer has opened a new Food Store on Woodbridge Road, just two weeks after launching its Ipswich Station branch on 4 June.News
Popular Suffolk Dog Day announces 2025 return with early savings
The much-loved annual celebration of man's best friend is back this summer, and now's the pawfect time to pick up your early bird (dog?) tickets.News
New East of England Co-op opens on Woodbridge Road tomorrow
The retailer's brand-new food store opens at 7:00 tomorrow morning, Wednesday, 18 June, replacing the current Brunswick Road location with a modern store offering better services and food-to-go options.News
Brother's death inspires 66 life-saving bleed kits
Seven years after Dean Stansby was fatally stabbed near Gippeswyk Park, his brother's foundation has installed its latest emergency bleed control kit in Ipswich.News
Small but mighty: Inside Dora Brown's quiet transformation of family homes
When Jo Revett joined Dora Brown in 2022, the small Suffolk charity had already helped dozens of families reclaim their homes from chaos. Two years on, that number has risen to more than 60 – and the team is just getting started.Feature
Suffolk's biggest free art event launches in one week
Following the success of Pigs Gone Wild, Elmer's Big Parade and The Big Hoot, St Elizabeth Hospice's latest art trail will be its most ambitious yet, spanning five towns across the county.News
Windrush 77 to bring colour and culture to Ipswich this month
Ipswich will mark 77 years since the arrival of the Windrush Generation with a two-day festival celebrating Caribbean heritage, culture and community.News
Suffolk Remembers returns to Felixstowe seafront on 21 June
St Elizabeth Hospice's annual remembrance event will see 5,000 candles displayed along Felixstowe seafront as the community gathers to remember loved ones and mark the close of Suffolk Day.News
Home-Start Suffolk urgently seeks volunteers during national week
As we enter Volunteers Week (2-8 June), the county's largest family support charity is calling for more volunteers after supporting 1,400 families in the past year, with referrals becoming increasingly complex.News
Ex-paratrooper and local gym owner takes on world's toughest jungle race
A former British Paratrooper turned gym owner is preparing for one of the world's hardest endurance challenges in the Peruvian Amazon.News
The invisible battle: How Ipswich women are breaking the silence on endometriosis
For Monica Thomas, severe pain became normal when she was just 12. But it took 17 long, traumatic years for doctors to finally diagnose her with endometriosis—a disease affecting one in ten women, yet still shockingly misunderstood.Feature
Angela Barnes announced as new headliner for Suffolk Mind comedy night
Award-winning comedian Angela Barnes will replace Angelos Epithemiou at Suffolk Mind's charity stand-up event at Seckford Hall on Thursday, June 26.News
Port worker becomes one of Ipswich's youngest mayors in history
Stefan Long, 36, who started as an apprentice engineer at Felixstowe Port aged 16, is now one of the youngest mayors in Ipswich since the role was created in 1836.News
Local students get hands-on experience at Ipswich housing development
A visit to Gipping Construction's Hawke Road site gave five aspiring construction workers insight into the various career paths available in the industry.News
Hundreds don pyjamas for midnight charity walk through Ipswich
Trinity Park, the hospice grounds, and Ipswich Waterfront were illuminated with over 740 participants for the annual St Elizabeth Hospice fundraiser on Saturday night.News
St Elizabeth Hospice launches fundraising bike ride alongside summer art trail
A 50 or 75-mile cycling challenge will take place on 29 June, allowing participants to enjoy Suffolk scenery and view sculptures from the Hop to it! Suffolk 2025 art trail.News
'My feet have always been firmly on the ground' – until now
Chris Bush and his brothers Sam and Jonathan Broom will swap solid ground for a 13,000ft freefall to support their sister's work at Suffolk mental health charity.News
178 brave fundraisers abseil down Ipswich Hospital
Courage was on full display at Ipswich Hospital last weekend as 178 participants—including cancer survivors and NHS staff—abseiled from a nerve-testing 135ft height.News
Share your Ipswich memories and help preserve town's heritage
A community event at The Hold is inviting Ipswich residents of all ages to contribute their stories and photographs to the town's living history.News
From inside out: How prisoners are leading mental health reform
With Suffolk's reoffending rates rising by 5.3% – the highest increase in the UK – a peer-led programme born out of a Suffolk prison is creating continuity for inmates through employment and mental health support.Feature
Olympic medallist Louis Smith inspires at Ipswich SportsAid fundraising lunch
Gymnast Louis Smith MBE shared his journey with 168 guests at Venue 16 to raise funds for promising young athletes like local triathlete Darcy Gladwell.News
Major changes proposed to sexual violence support services in Suffolk
A 'one front door' approach is among a series of recommendations made by University of Suffolk researchers to improve how victim-survivors access support.News
Ipswich charity launches 'Painathon' campaign at London Marathon
Women's Health Hope will highlight marathon-like NHS wait times for gynaecological care with posters along the marathon route this weekend.News
500 mobile phones donated to support domestic abuse victims in East Anglia
Virgin Media O2 Business has donated over 500 mobile phones to help survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault across East Anglia, including Suffolk.News
Ipswich launches supported housing scheme as county cuts bite
Ipswich Borough Council has stepped in with a new 67-bed housing project after Suffolk County Council ended its housing-related support.News
BBC comedy star to headline Suffolk Mind's first stand-up night
Angelos Epithemiou from BBC's Shooting Stars will perform at Seckford Hall on Thursday, June 26, raising funds for mental health charity Suffolk Mind.News
Widower urges people to support Midnight Walk in aid of charity that gave his late wife 'a peaceful end-of-life'
Ross Wishart shares how St Elizabeth Hospice supported his family and why he encourages others to join the annual fundraiser.News
Touch grass: How Ipswich is reconnecting with nature and community
Across Ipswich, a quiet green shift is unfolding. From hedgehog highways to wildflower verges, people are rethinking how we live alongside nature and why it matters.Feature
Inaugural women's health event held in Ipswich 'is going to change lives'
The first-ever dedicated women's health event in Ipswich has inspired attendees to pursue new treatment options and advocate for better healthcare.News
Daughter's marathon tribute to honour hospice that cared for her mum
Rachel Cooper is turning personal loss into positive action by taking on the London Marathon to support St Elizabeth Hospice's vital work.News
From adversity to advocacy: How Max Thomas is preserving Ipswich's Windrush legacy
When Max Thomas was 15, he was told his future would be "factory, prison or dole."Feature
Local cancer survivor to abseil Ipswich Hospital this May
Ipswich man Joe Alexander will join fellow adrenaline junkies to abseil down the maternity tower at Ipswich Hospital on 3-4 May, raising funds for Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity.News
New research reveals a not-so-sleepy Suffolk
New research from Suffolk Mind suggests that the percentage of Suffolk residents getting enough sleep has plummeted from 36.7% to 19.7% in just one year.News
Ipswich charity launches Eurovision sweepstake to support mental health work
Time To Talk Mental Health UK has announced its annual fundraiser with a £2 Eurovision Song Contest sweepstake, with half the proceeds supporting mental health services.News
Ipswich mother reflects on life-changing diagnosis for Brain Tumour Awareness Month
March is Brain Tumour Awareness Month, and for Hayley from Ipswich, it’s a reminder of the day she was told her 16-month-old daughter had an Ependymoma brain tumour—news that would leave Camille facing years of treatment and ongoing struggles with anxiety.Feature
East of England Co-op’s Community Cares Fund supports almost 5,000 people across East Anglia
The East of England Co-op has awarded £110,000 in grants to local charities and initiatives, benefiting almost 5,000 people across the region.News
Parents welcome 'bright and spacious' children's unit at Ipswich Hospital
Families who helped shape Ipswich Hospital's newly transformed children's department have praised its improved accessibility and dedicated facilities for young patients.News
St Elizabeth Hospice reveals dates for Suffolk-wide art trail
Ipswich will host 33 decorated hare sculptures this summer, with the art trail expanding to four other Suffolk towns for the first time.News
Town mascot Bluey joins mental health lesson at Ranelagh Primary
Ipswich Town's mascot, Bluey, surprised pupils at Ranelagh Primary School during a special mental health awareness session on February 4.News
Council staff cycle 1,170 miles for hospice art trail
Suffolk County Council staff have surpassed their 900-mile cycling target, raising more than £1,100 for St Elizabeth Hospice's upcoming summer art trail.News
Suffolk Mind helpline secures £26,000 after record-breaking 33,000 calls
Suffolk Mind's helpline will continue operating for at least six months after receiving doubled donations through a match funding scheme, following its busiest ever year with 33,000 support requests.News
Pyjama-clad night walkers to light up Ipswich for hospice
Hundreds of supporters will don their brightest sleepwear for St Elizabeth Hospice's 19th Midnight Walk after last year's event raised £135,000 for vital care services.News
Ipswich charities receive £340,000 from Sizewell C community fund
Two Ipswich-based charities have secured major funding boosts totalling £339,287 from the latest round of Sizewell C community grants. Home-Start in Suffolk and Headway Suffolk will use the money to expand their support services across East Suffolk.News
East of England homelessness programme shortlisted for national award
A programme that helps homeless people across East Anglia rebuild their lives, including 65 households in Ipswich, has been nominated for a prestigious national award that could bring £5,000 to expand its vital work.News
How Suffolk businesses can access affordable mental health training
Local businesses looking to improve workplace mental health can now access more affordable training through Suffolk Mind's new packages, with options tailored to different organisation sizes and needs.News
Community garden project aims to bring Ipswich residents together
An Ipswich charity is launching free courses to help residents build connections and develop new skills through gardening and nature-based activities at two community gardens.News
Suffolk Mind and ITFC partner to highlight hidden mental health crisis at Portman Road
Mental health charity Suffolk Mind used Sunday's high-profile match against Premier League champions Manchester City to highlight the scale of mental health challenges facing local communities.News
Two local hospices grow money from trees
A joint initiative between St Elizabeth Hospice and East Anglia's Children's Hospices has marked its fourth year by collecting a record number of Christmas trees while raising vital funds for patient care.News
From Christmas dips to Santa dashes: How Suffolk came together for hospice appeal
Local businesses and community members have helped raise over £158,000 for St Elizabeth Hospice through various festive fundraisers, including the Christmas Day Dip, Santa Dash and Christmas Jumper Day.News
Stroke survivor's lived experience inspires Suffolk's first Disability Pride event
A life-changing stroke and a powerful experience at Chester's Disability Pride sparked a Suffolk couple's mission to bring disability celebration and awareness to Felixstowe's seafront.News
Get locked up to help unlock a better future for Suffolk families
A local charity is offering people the chance to make a real difference in the community through a unique fundraising event that will see participants 'arrested' for fictitious crimes.News
Family firm donates life-saving heart monitor to cancer unit 'close to our hearts'
A local family-run business has donated vital cardiac monitoring equipment to Ipswich Hospital's cancer unit, inspired by friends and customers who have received treatment there.News
Son shares moving tribute to mum's hospice care ahead of Christmas Day Dip
An Ipswich man has shared his family's experience of St Elizabeth Hospice care, ahead of the charity's annual Christmas Day fundraising event in Felixstowe.News
Ipswich construction firm donates £44,000 to 26 local charities in 2024
Barnes Construction has donated an incredible £44,291 to charities across East Anglia in 2024, with staff fundraising contributing £10,000 to support causes ranging from homeless shelters to wildlife trusts.News
Number of Ipswich households seeking homelessness support rises by 65%
New government figures show that the number of households seeking homelessness support in Ipswich has increased from 305 to 505 between April and June compared to the same period last year.News
The Very Suffolk Christmas festival is coming to Ipswich town centre – here's what you need to know
A new Christmas festival celebrating Suffolk culture will take over Ipswich's Cornhill later this month, featuring local food, crafts and a tractor trail – all while raising money for mental health.News
'A space to thrive': Suffolk homeless project wins national recognition
A local initiative that transforms empty properties into fully-furnished homes for homeless people has won national recognition for its innovative and dignified approach to tackling homelessness.News
Blues to sponsor sculpture in St Elizabeth Hospice art trail
Ipswich Town Football Club has announced it will sponsor one of the sculptures in St Elizabeth Hospice's upcoming Hop to it! Suffolk 2025 art trail. The news was revealed as the first trail sculpture was unveiled at Portman Road with Town legend Matt Holland.News
Home-Start launches Christmas Jumper Day fundraiser
Local charity Home-Start in Suffolk is calling on businesses and schools to don festive knitwear this Christmas to support vulnerable families. The fundraising initiative aims to help provide vital support services across Suffolk.News
Christmas trees to help bears at Jimmy's Farm in hospice recycling scheme
Used Christmas trees from across Suffolk will be turned into woodchip for bears at Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park, thanks to an initiative by two local hospices. The 'Tree-cycling' scheme brings together volunteers from major companies to support vital hospice care in the region.News
Most men who die by suicide had sought help, Suffolk Mind reveals
Eight out of ten men who die by suicide had previously contacted mental health services, Suffolk Mind's Head of Mental Health Education has revealed. The statistic challenges the common belief that men don't seek help for mental health issues.News
ActivLives boss wins award as charity marks successful year at AGM
The CEO of Ipswich charity ActivLives has been named Activity Champion of the Year, as the organisation celebrates the dedication of its long-serving volunteers at its 11th annual general meeting.News
Suffolk police have strip-searched 237 children since 2021
New figures reveal Suffolk Constabulary carried out 237 strip searches on under-18s over the past three years, with 43 searches conducted last year.News
Suffolk Wildlife Trust launches £373,000 nature recovery scheme
Suffolk Wildlife Trust has launched a new initiative to help communities protect local wildlife, backed by £373,356 in public funding over three years.News
Greater Anglia to sponsor new hare art trail across Suffolk
Greater Anglia will sponsor St Elizabeth Hospice's Hop to it! Suffolk 2025 art trail, bringing decorated hare sculptures to train stations across the region.News
One in 20 Ipswich residents accessed NHS mental health services last year
New NHS figures show that more than 9,090 Ipswich residents used mental health services in the year to March. However, local mental health leaders say these numbers only tell part of the story.News
Ipswich charity's inclusive sports and garden projects transform local lives
From singing groups to inclusive sports tournaments, ActivLives is helping thousands of Suffolk residents improve their physical and mental wellbeing through community-based activities.News
Modular homes give fresh start to Ipswich homeless
In its first year of operation, a modular housing project in Ipswich has helped people move from homelessness into employment and private housing.News
Public scrutiny meeting to examine Suffolk Police powers
Residents are invited to share their views on Suffolk Police's use of powers at a public scrutiny meeting at Suffolk One College on 27 November.News
BME communities come together for Black History Month event focused on 'reclaiming narratives'
Over 60 people from all communities gathered in Ipswich last Saturday for a Black History Month celebration. The event, organised by the BME Suffolk Support Group, featured educational workshops, quizzes, poetry, and Afro-Caribbean cuisine.News
Job worries disturb sleep for 1 in 3 Suffolk workers, study finds
New research reveals 37% of Suffolk workers struggle to sleep due to job concerns, highlighting an opportunity for employers to boost workplace wellbeing on World Mental Health Day.News
Colourful charity run raises thousands for mental health
Nearly 500 runners participated in Suffolk Mind's first-ever Colour Rush event, raising more than £12,000 for mental health support in the county.News
New nature initiative helps people with borderline personality disorder
A new programme is helping people in Suffolk with borderline personality disorder connect with nature and improve their wellbeing.News
Your chance to realise that life-long ambition to walk on fire barefoot
St Elizabeth Hospice is calling on brave soles in Ipswich to participate in a fundraising firewall at Ipswich Rugby Club this October.News
11-year-old raises over £23,000 for hospice in memory of mum
Harli Dixon, aged 11, has surpassed her fundraising goal for St Elizabeth Hospice, raising more than £23,300 to honour her late mother. The young fundraiser has secured a leaf on the hospice's Memory Tree as a lasting tribute.News
Fundraisers raise over £34,000 for Suffolk Mind in daring weekend challenge
More than 75 brave participants took on skydiving and half marathon challenges to support local mental health charity Suffolk Mind, raising an impressive £34,375 over a single weekend.News
Charity helps over 400 people furnish homes in fight against homelessness
Hopestead has provided furniture, appliances and flooring to more than 400 people over the past year as part of its Hope at Home campaign to end homelessness.News
Community champions honoured at Suffolk awards ceremony
Suffolk's unsung heroes were celebrated at the annual Suffolk Community Awards, recognising outstanding contributions to local communities across the county.News
Local firefighters aim for world records in Ipswich Half Marathon charity challenge
Four Suffolk firefighters are set to attempt three world records at the Ipswich Half Marathon on September 22nd, raising money for charity while running in full firefighting gear.News
FareShare expands food redistribution network with new Ipswich site
FareShare has officially launched its new site in Ipswich, aiming to provide more surplus food to communities in need across the region.News
Hospice bereavement walking group Walk On celebrates three-year milestone
St Elizabeth Hospice's bereavement support walking group, Walk On, is marking its third anniversary this month. Since its launch in September 2021, the group has covered 7,500 miles and consumed over 1,700 pieces of cake.News
Ipswich open day to raise funds for life-saving bleed kits
A family open day at Princes Street fire and police station this Sunday aims to fund more emergency bleed kits for Ipswich, which could potentially save lives in critical situations.News
World Suicide Prevention Day: Local businesswoman and mental health advocate shares her experiences as suicides in Ipswich double
As the world recognises World Suicide Prevention Day, data shows that suicides in Ipswich doubled last year, as England and Wales recorded their highest suicide rate in over two decades.News
In pictures: Suffolk Dog Day raises over £70,000 for St Elizabeth Hospice
Hundreds of dogs and their owners gathered at Helmingham Hall on Sunday for the annual Suffolk Dog Day, raising vital funds for St Elizabeth Hospice.News
Classic car show raises record £20,000 for local hospice
The annual Classics at Glemham event has more than doubled its fundraising total for St Elizabeth Hospice, bringing in £20,000 to support vital services across Suffolk and beyond.News
Hospital charity launches £100,000 appeal to ensure no one dies alone
Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity has launched the Butterfly Appeal to raise £100,000 annually for its end-of-life care service. The initiative aims to ensure no patient dies alone and provide support for families.News
Hospice launches gardening group in Woodbridge to support long-term carers
St Elizabeth Hospice has started a new wellbeing gardening group in Woodbridge for people involved in long-term care.News
Ipswich businessman's bad shirts raise £2,000 for Suffolk Mind
An Ipswich entrepreneur has turned flamboyant fashion into a force for good, raising thousands for a local mental health charity through his quirky clothing brand.News
Local homelessness charity joins Suffolk's giant hare art trail
Hopestead, an East of England homelessness charity, has announced its sponsorship of the Hop to it! Suffolk 2025 art trail, aiming to highlight the health challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness.News
One for the diary: Suffolk Dog Day returns next month
Man's best friend takes centre stage as Suffolk Dog Day returns to Helmingham Hall next month, promising a tail-wagging good time for dogs and their humans.News
Family's heartfelt tribute as they name first hare for hospice art trail
The Dorman family has chosen the name "Skye" for the first hare sculpture in St Elizabeth Hospice's upcoming Hop to it! Suffolk 2025 art trail, honouring their late father James.News
Suffolk depression diagnoses reach highest level since records began
More Suffolk residents are living with depression compared to pre-pandemic levels, new figures reveal. Over 91,000 adults in the county were diagnosed with the condition last year.News
Sizewell C partners with St Elizabeth Hospice in a boost to regional care
Sizewell C has chosen St Elizabeth Hospice as its first official charity partner, providing vital funding for the next two years.News
Homelessness charity offers grants up to £15,000 for local projects
Hopestead, a part of Flagship Group, has launched its fourth round of 'Hope Funds', offering grants up to £15,000 for charities and social enterprises tackling homelessness in East Anglia.News
Colour run to splash Christchurch Park with fundraising fun
Ipswich residents can join a vibrant charity event next month, as Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity hosts a colour run in Christchurch Park.News
Suffolk author's space turtle tale inspires young readers
A children's book by Suffolk-based author and Suffolk Mind trustee Katerina Budinova is captivating young readers globally while supporting local mental health initiatives.News
New radiotherapy fund launched to enhance local cancer care
A new fund aims to improve patient experience in radiotherapy at Ipswich Hospital and celebrates the career of Suzanne Isherwood, the long-serving Head of Radiotherapy.News
Hospice challenges thrill-seekers with bungee jump and abseil
St Elizabeth Hospice is offering adrenaline junkies the chance to take on Suffolk's tallest abseil or a bungee jump to raise funds this August.News
Most Suffolk workers struggling to get enough sleep, survey finds
Over 80% of full-time workers in Suffolk aren't getting enough sleep, according to a new survey by local mental health charity Suffolk Mind.News
Ipswich Regent Theatre's charity appeal receives overwhelming support
Theatregoers and council staff have donated hundreds of items to help people affected by homelessness in Ipswich.News
New toolkit launched to support Men’s Sheds in Suffolk
Community Action Suffolk has launched a new toolkit to support the development of Men’s Sheds across the county, aiming to combat loneliness and improve mental health.News
Today's supporter
Happiness Club
Drawing from her personal transformation journey, Samantha offers evidence-based coaching and holistic wellness services that address our community's growing mental health challenges.
With mounting pressures from the cost of living crisis and post-pandemic stress affecting many Ipswich residents, Samantha's work focuses on practical tools for building resilience and joy in everyday life.
Through one-to-one coaching, workshops, and workplace wellbeing programs, she helps individuals and organisations develop sustainable happiness practices.
