The ActivLives Lunch Club was established in November 2008 and was one of the first Hubs to be developed in Ipswich as part of the One Ipswich – Town & Bridge Project, which later became the charity ActivLives in 2012. The Lunch Club was initially funded through the Fit as a Fiddle initiative (National Lottery / Age UK).
The partnership that has grown over the years between ActivLives and St Mary at Stoke Church, wouldn’t have happened if it hadn’t been for the support of Reverend Ian Morgan and Anita Bimpson. The Lunch Club started in a small way, but soon started to grow and now caters for up to 30 older people each week. Julie Stokes, ActivLives CEO secured funding from IBC Area Committee to refurbish the kitchen, to enable meals to be cooked on site and to improve the facilities for the Church and other organisations that use the Church Hall.
Anita is still involved with the Lunch Club, she remains the link with the Church and is also a key volunteer with ActivLives and along with the fantastic team of volunteers, run the lunch club and support the other ActivLives activities that take place on a Tuesday in the Church Hall. Other members of the Church help on a rota with washing up, new members always welcome.
What is ActivLives?
ActivLives is a local charity delivering a wide range of activities and projects in Ipswich and East Suffolk for people of all ages to get involved in, such as Community Gardening, ActivSheds, Community Singing, Inclusive Sport, seated and standing falls prevention exercise, health walks and stimulating activities for people living with Dementia, Carers and former carers.
ActivLives activities bring people together; they are accessible and help people keep active, healthy and connected with their community, reducing social isolation and loneliness, improving health and well-being and providing opportunities to learn new skills, volunteer and gain meaningful employment.
ActivLives supports people with long-term health conditions, both physical and mental, people with Intellectual Disability, people with a disability, younger people and adults at risk. We mainly work in areas of deprivation, including urban and rural areas and we work with a diverse range of people, from different communities, ethnicity, faith and religion.
What activities are available on a Tuesday?
10.30am – 11.30am – Better Balance Session – £5.00 per session
If you need help to improve your mobility, strength, co-ordination and balance or you have experienced a fall/s and have lost your confidence then our Better Balance session is for you. The fun seated and standing exercise will help you to remain independent and able to carry out daily living tasks, as well as building your confidence and reduce the risk of falls and fractures. For more information about joining this session please contact: Clare Macdonald Step by Step Development Officer – 01473 345350
12 noon – 1.15pm – Lunch Club – £5.00 for Lunch & refreshments
Perhaps you are new to the area, have lost a partner, are you lonely and want to meet people and make new friends, then come and join us for lunch. It’s great value for money and very tasty with it. The hot two course meal is homemade by our cook and all dietary requirements can be catered for. If you would like to attend the Lunch Club please contact Julie Stokes CEO – 01473 345350 or pop in and speak to the volunteers.
1.45pm – 3.45pm – ActivSingers Group – £5.00 per session (2 & 4 Tuesday of the month)
Do you like singing, but don’t want to join a choir, then ActivSingers is for you. Come and sing a wide range of songs including natural voice songs, rounds, popular songs, songs from the shows and your favourites. The session is very relaxed, welcoming and fun and during the break you can have a chat and make new friends. If you would like to join us for lunch before the session, just let the volunteers know who will book you a place.
If you would like more information about how to join the ActivSingers group contact Julie Stokes CEO – 01473 345350
Volunteering – ActivLives is always looking for volunteers to help with our activities, Community Gardens, Health Walks or in our main office.
To find out more about what other activities are available and how to volunteer please visit the ActivLives website – www.activlives.org.uk or contact us on 01473 345350
To find out more about St Mary at Stoke Church Hall please visit www.Stmarystokeipswich.org.uk
