About Activlives
ActivLives grew out of a Local Strategic Partnership Project called ‘The Town and Bridge Project’, which started in September 2006 and was aimed at the two most hard pressed areas of Ipswich, the town centre and the area known as ‘Old’ Stoke. In June 2012 the charity ActivLives was born, with a wider remit, but with the same strategic aim and enabled us to reach even more older, lonely and vulnerable people, by rolling our successful ActivHub and Sports project out across Ipswich and rural areas of Suffolk.
ActivLives is a very diverse organisation, offering a wide range of activities and opportunities for people including Horticulture, the Environment/ Conservation, Construction such as our ActivSheds project for men, Training, Community Singing, Preventative services such as reducing falls and fractures, working with and supporting Former Carers, Volunteering and our inclusive ActivIpswich project getting people aged 55 years and over into a sport.
- People with mental ill health, stress, anxiety and/or depression
- People with learning disabilities
- Former Carers
- Older people, including people living with Dementia and their Carers
- Young people
- Women of all ages and helping them access skills training
- People with physical health problems and long-term health conditions
- Local communities, including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups and individuals
- Schools and colleges
- Jobseekers and long-term unemployed
- People who want to Volunteer or learn new skills or share skills
Our activities help to build confidence and self-esteem, maintain good physical and mental health, reducing stress and loneliness and preventing the onset of depression and anxiety.
We currently have over 2,000 people registered with ActivLives and over 60 volunteers who help to nurture and maintain our two Community Gardens, run our Lunch Clubs, lead our Health Walks or help at our exercise sessions.
Our members tell us that they like attending our sessions because they are fun and welcoming, that we take care to find accessible local venues, such as, Church Halls, Libraries, Scout Huts, Sheltered Housing Schemes etc and we provide interesting and inclusive activities that anybody and any ability can take part in.
General ActivLives News
Supporting World Mental Health Day
ActivLives supports World Mental Health Day. Sunday 10 October is the day that we are being asked to support the campaign to help raise awareness of the importance of mental health, for all of us. One of the initiatives this year is the ‘Big Mental Health Get...
Short-mat bowls returns!
We had a great summer season at Kesgrave Community Centre and now, as the weather changes, the ActivBowls group are ready to return to playing indoors. The group have not been able to return to their usual venue of Gainsborough due to the un-availability of the hall,...
Boccia is Back: Celebrating National Boccia Day
There was a great atmosphere in the hall earlier this week, as 36 participants, from across Suffolk, came together to take part in the ActivLives Boccia Festival in Ipswich, in celebration of National Boccia Day 2021. The event was supported by players from a variety...
What our members say about why they enjoy ActivLives Sessions:
“Being taught new things, fun and laughter, fitness and belonging.”
Download our Up-to-date Activities Programme
We have put together a list of all our activities and events for your convenience. Download it to your computer, or print it out by pressing the button below.