News from ActivGardens
Job vacancy – ActivGardens Operations Officer
£14 per hour (approx. £27,375pa). 37.5 hours per week Initial fixed term contract for 12 months, with any extension subject to continued funding. ActivLives is seeking a motivated, qualified, passionate and experienced person to supervise and co-ordinate its thriving,...
Thank you to Sudbury in Bloom!
ActivLives staff and volunteers were happy to receive a water bowser kindly donated by Sudbury in Bloom, to keep Belle Vue Park well-watered over the hot Summer months. It was fantastic to meet the Mayor Sue Ayres, who kindly attended the hand-over over the water...
Help us raise £500 through the Asda Green Token scheme
We’re very happy to reveal that we've been chosen for Green Token Giving scheme at Asda Stoke Park. This amazing opportunity could be vital in helping us to continue our outreach and community work over the next few months. Voting is online and you can choose to give...
500 Strawberry plants… cream teas incoming!
We'd like to say a huge thank you to Andrew Sturgeon at Lindsey Lodge Farm for donating 500 strawberry plants to the ActivGardens. It was a fantastic surprise and we've put the plants in our Chantry Walled Garden where we have enough space to store them. We've put our...
High Sheriff of Suffolk visits the People’s Community Garden
We were thrilled to be visited by the High Sheriff of Suffolk at our People's Community Garden, it was fantastic to welcome him on what was his first official visit as High Sheriff. He took a tour of the gardens and explored our poly tunnels, Cress pavilion,...
Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 – Nature
It's great to see that this year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Week is ‘Nature’. Here at ActivLives we can see how our Community Garden Projects, the People’s Community Garden, Chantry Walled Garden and our Sudbury Project have helped our staff and volunteers to...
Visit the ActivLives plant nursery this Spring
Enjoy a Spring outing to ActivLives plant nursery in Chantry Park, Ipswich, on Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am to 2pm. Our dedicated team of staff and volunteers will be on hand to guide you safely round this community-run heritage site and help you pick something special...
National Gardening Week at the People’s Community Garden
Last week was National Gardening Week and the team down at the People's Community Garden were very busy (as they always are!), they had great fun planting tomato plants and celebrating the enjoyment, fun and relaxation that working in the gardens can bring. The team...
Cash 4 Charities… we need your help!
The East Anglian Daily Times and the Ipswich Star have set up a brand-new initiative called Cash 4 Charities. It’s a campaign created to support local charities that have been hit by the pandemic and ActivLives has signed up. There’s a chance for us to receive a share...
Community run plant nursery re-opens to public
Enjoy a Spring outing to ActivLives plant nursery in Chantry Park, Ipswich, when we open to the public on Tuesday 30th March at 10am. We have a wide range of perennials, Geranium and other plants on offer – with bedding and a new range of plants coming in soon. Our...
Charity joins with local garden centre to help schools grow
ActivLives’ gardening project is taking ‘Get Gardening’ kits into schools in and around Sudbury with the support of Perrywood garden centre. The kits contain vegetable seeds, a bag of compost, an indoor cress-growing activity, and wildflower seeds and clay to make...
Mothers Day is Blooming…
Brighten up your mum’s special day with a spring display from The Chantry Walled Garden
January -April Newsletter 2021
Stay Safe and ActiveWhat’s happening at ActivLives….. Although many of our services are still closed due to the 3rd lockdown we are still working very hard to keep people active and connected across Ipswich and East Suffolk. So, what’s occurring!!!! The ActivOut...
A huge THANK YOU to Thompson & Morgan!
ActivGardens volunteers and trainees have been planting bulbs kindly donated by Thompson & Morgan.
ActivLives Message – 13.01.21
Due to the latest Government announcement and lockdown restrictions, ActivLives had to close all of our activity sessions again, including ActivSheds, the Sudbury project and limit the access to our two community gardens in Ipswich.
ActivLives Newsletter – December 2020
In light of the UK lockdown, we unfortunately won't be bringing our usual bright and colourful newsletter to you this quarter.However, here's an electronic version with the added benefit of bigger photos!ActivGardensFestive Market a HUGE Success!Our team at the...
Message from ActivLives – 27.11.20
Just to let everyone know how ActivLives is managing the lockdowns and Government and Sport’s Bodies restrictions and how we are continuing to support our members and volunteers.
ActivGardens plans for safe Christmas market
Christmas is not cancelled at ActivGardens! We are bringing our wonderful array of produce, crafts and gifts to you – but this year at the community garden so we can keep safe in the open air.
ActivLives recognises World Mental Health Day on the 10th October 2020
Mental Health is everyone’s business, especially now. Having good mental health, emotional health and well-being is as important as having good physical health.
ActivLives Newsletter – October 2020
In light of the UK lockdown, we unfortunately won't be bringing our usual bright and colourful newsletter to you this quarter.However, here's an electronic version with the added benefit of bigger photos!ActivGardensUpdates from the People's Community Garden - Beverly...
Message from ActivLives – 02.10.20
An ActivLives lockdown update from CEO Julie Stokes
Sign up to the next ‘Grow Your Future’ programme NOW! – 18.09.20
If you are looking for a new direction – how about taking part in a FREE outdoor-based learning programme at ActivGardens?
‘Grow Your Future’ will enable you to learn new skills and gain confidence on your way to further opportunities.
Outdoor, socially distanced ActivSingers sessions was a great hit!
Some of our ActivSingers got together at The People’s Community Garden last week to enjoy a socially distanced sing-along in the beautiful setting of our garden!
Outdoor Learning and Skills Programme for young people at school – 29.06.20
ActivGardens is launching a new learning and skills programme at the People’s Community Garden, Maidenhall Allotments, Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE to inspire young people and help move them on to the world of work.
Message from ActivLives – 19/05/2020
You may be wondering what recent changes have meant for our services and activities at ActivLives?
ActivLives launches online plant and produce sales!
ActivLives is taking its plants and produce out to local people with the launch of online sales.
ActivLives April 2020 Newsletter
In light of the UK lockdown, we unfortunately won't be bringing our usual bright and colourful newsletter to you this quarter.However, here's an electronic version with the added benefit of bigger photos! We're hoping to bring you our next newsletter in July...
Gardens keep up essential growing during lockdown
Integral work has been happening at our gardens to make sure our plants & produce stay healthy and alive! We have ensured that all of our staff and key volunteers are sticking to the Government guidelines by staying 2m apart, having staggered breaks, doing deep...
Message from Julie Stokes, CEO
In light of the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, ActivLives is following strict government guidelines. Our main office at Brightspace closed on Monday 23rd March 2020, with all staff working remotely and continuing to do so until it is safe to...
ActivGardens projects & services to close.
Following the Government’s announcement last night (23 March 2020), ActivGardens and its projects and services will close until further notice.
🚨 COVID-19 Hub Closures 🚨
All hubs to close until further notice amidst the Coronavirus outbreak.
Sign up now for our next course to Grow Your Future!
If you are looking for a new direction now spring is springing – how about taking part in a free outdoor-based learning programme at ActivGardens? Starting May 2020
CANCELLED – Fun for all the family at Community Market & Open Garden
THIS EVENT HAS NOW BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19 . . . .Our first ActivGardens market of the year is combining with Easter-themed fun at the People’s Community Garden on Friday 17th April, 10am to 12.30pm, during school holidays.
Calling all nature-loving volunteers
ActivGardens are calling on those who love getting close to nature in the great outdoors to join us on a Monday afternoon for environmental conservation volunteering in our Wild Zone.
Our ‘Grow Your Future’ Open Day is fast approaching!
It’s on Thursday 23 January from 1pm to 3pm at the People’s Community Garden, Maidenhall Allotments, Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE. There will be hot drinks and biccies, and a chance to look around the gardens and speak to members of our friendly team. OPEN DAY Agenda...
Support the ‘Women’s Skills Exchange’!
A project at our community garden to encourage women of all abilities to learn, share skills, and develop new opportunities.
Dreaming of a green Christmas!
A wonderful selection of crafts, plants, seasonal arrangements and produce will be on offer at our festive market, all made or grown at ActivGardens.
Turn over new leaf at ActivGardens in free learning scheme
If you are looking for a new direction in 2020 – how about taking part in a free outdoor-based learning programme at ActivGardens, part of local charity ActivLives?
Celebrate local harvest at community garden market
Our stalls will be bursting with freshly picked fruit, vegetables and plants grown at our community gardens as part of our produce market on Friday 11th October 2019, at the CRESS Pavilion, Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE, from 10am to 12.30pm.
Autumn plant sale at charity walled garden
ActivLives are holding an autumn plant sale at:
Chantry Walled Garden, Chantry Park, Ipswich IP2 0BS
“We’re all going on a Summer Holiday!”
“…No more working for a week or two. Fun and laughter on our summer holiday, no more worries for me or you, for a week or two!”
Job availability – ActivSheds Session Leader
ActivGardens: ActivSheds Session Leader Closing date: Friday 17th May 2019 Interviews: Friday 24th May or by appointment Initially: Five sessions Mondays 10th June to 8th July inclusive 1pm to 4pm (clients to arrive around 1pm for lunch break and session to run...
ActivGardens on hospice Great Garden Trail
Volunteers are pulling out all the stops in preparation for two special ActivGardens open garden events as part of St Elizabeth Hospice Great Garden Trail.
Charity walled garden project blooms for Easter
Give yourself a treat over Easter time and take a stroll across Chantry Park on Thursday 11th April, to enjoy the walled garden from 10.30am till 2.30pm.
ActivGardens launches its new look men’s shed
ActivSheds is launching its fabulous new facilities on Friday 22nd March at the CRESS Pavilion!
Calling all women! Learn new skills in the New Year
ActivGardens Women’s Skills Exchange is offering two FREE workshops in the New Year for you to try something different!
Thompson & Morgan donates flower seeds to local charities
Thompson & Morgan just donated 100s of packets of flower seeds to local charities, ActivLives and St Elizabeth Hospice.
Garden project promises community cheer at festive market
A wonderful selection of crafts, plants, seasonal wreath and produce will be on offer at our festive market, all made or grown by participants of ActivGardens.
Visit from the High Sheriff of Suffolk!
Lovely day meeting the Suffolk High Sheriff; George Vestey
Vote for Us!
We need your help – Vote for us by 20th November 2018, and help us get the Aviva Community Fund.
Women’s Skills Exchange FREE workshops
ActivGardens is running a series of fun workshops as part of its ‘Women’s Skills Exchange’ project to encourage women to learn about gardening, the environment, growing their own food, cooking from scratch and other skills.
Celebrate local harvest at community garden market
Our stalls will be bursting with freshly picked fruit and vegetables grown at the community garden as part of our produce market on Friday 5th October, at the CRESS Pavilion, Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE, from 10am to 12.30pm.
Help keep our Bees Buzzing!
Help us rebuild our ActivGardens bee apiary.
ActivLives hosts Wonderland-themed tea party
It was a trip down the rabbit hole for visitors at The People’s Community Garden – as guests took tea with the Mad Hatter and Cheshire Cat.
Community market bursting with fresh local produce
Freshly picked local produce will be on offer at the community garden’s next market on Friday 8th June, at the CRESS Pavilion, Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE, from 10am to 12.30pm.
ActivGardens make ready for Great Garden Trail in aid of hospice
Volunteers are weeding borders, sweeping paths and making plants are in top condition for St Elizabeth Hospice Great Garden Trail, which ActivGardens are proudly taking part in for the first time.
Vote for ‘Bee Amazed by the Wonderful World of Bees’ at Tesco!
ActivLives calls for votes to bag a share of Tesco’s bag fund for a project to help everyone buzzing about our bees!
Young people roll up their sleeves to make healthy food for community market
Young people from Stoke High Ormiston Academy are donning their aprons ready to serve seasonal goodies and cakes they have made, at the People’s Community Garden’s plant and produce market on Friday (13th April).
Spring is springing at community market
As the growing season gets into full swing, come and visit the People’s Community Garden’s plant and produce market on Friday 13th April from 10am to 12.30pm at the CRESS Pavilion, Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE.
Charity grows grassroots gardening business in Sudbury
Suffolk-based charity ActivLives has been awarded a grant of almost £5,000 by Power to Change, the independent trust supporting community businesses in England, to test the case for a community business in Sudbury.
Grow Your Future Survey
ActivLives has been awarded a Power to Change Suffolk Seed Grant to test the viability of developing a Horticultural Services community business in Sudbury. The business will have clear social objectives and sell services that benefit the community, while providing worthwhile training and employment opportunities.
ActivGardens: Internship position 2018
All applications must be received by Friday 6th April 2018.
Older people carry on gardening with local project 🌺
ActivLives is launching a free drop-in gardening session for older people and their relatives or carers, including people living with Dementia and other conditions.
Danny’s buzzing to tell you about our bees! 🐝
BEE sure to give it a read!
Young people help at first community market of the year
Young people from Chantry Academy will be cooking, baking and helping at the café at the People’s Community Garden’s first produce market of the year on Friday 16th March from 10am to 12.30pm at the CRESS Pavilion, Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE.
Charity buzzing over funding to bring joys of beekeeping to people of all ages and abilities
FUNDING BOOST FOR ActivLives People’s Community Garden
Groundwork’s community garden award winner announced!
The People’s Community Garden has been named Groundwork’s community garden or greenspace winner at the inaugural Groundwork Community Awards, a ceremony designed to recognise and celebrate the work of local community heroes.
ActivLives ‘Grow Your Community –Sudbury’ calls out for votes to bag a share of bag fund
Grow Your Community – Sudbury is bidding to bag a massive cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative.
ActivGardens nominated for ‘Best Community Garden or Green Space’!
ActivGardens and its projects have been shortlisted for the Groundwork Community Awards in the category ‘Best community garden or green space’.
What an amazing start for Goodgym Ipswich!
Goodgym running to help the local community.
Urban Buzz Ipswich
Urban Buzz is an ambitious project aiming to create over 100 ’buzzing hotspots’ in and around Ipswich for our much loved bees and other pollinators, providing flowers, nesting and sheltering opportunities. With the help of local partners and various community groups over the next 20 months, we can help create a more vibrant buzzing town!
Festival Growers!
Over the weekend (18th-20th August), a festival called FolkEast took place at Glemham Hall (between Wickham Market & Saxmundham)….and we were there!
Goodgym Ipswich Launch
Goodgym is a community of runners that combine getting fit with doing good. We stop off on our runs to do physical tasks for community organisations and to support isolated older people with social visits and one-off tasks they can’t do on their own. It’s a great way to get fit, meet new people and do some good. As long as you’re up for getting sweaty, everyone’s welcome.
Community market celebrates community garden harvest
A wonderful array of fresh produce as well as plants to brighten up your garden will be on offer at our community market on Friday 15th September, at the CRESS Pavilion, Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE, from 10am to 12.30pm.
CRESS Community Market – 18th August 2017
The CRESS Community Market, our monthly market, is returning once again!
Expert brought in to rejuvenate Sudbury’s Belle Vue Park
A community scheme should see life brought back to the formerly award-winning flower beds at Belle Vue Park in Sudbury.
Spring Plant Fair at Chantry Walled Garden project
ActivLives Chantry Walled Garden is holding a Spring coffee morning and plant sale on Thursday 13 April 2017 from 10.30am until 3pm.
Branching Out Growing Together
Do something different in 2017!
GardenGATE – Garden with ActivLives: Training & Enterprise
At the People’s Community Garden, Maidenhall Allotments, Halifax Road and Chantry Walled Garden, Chantry Park
ActivLives has received £19,990.00 thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
The funding boost from Postcode Local Trust will enable ActivLives People’s Community Garden to create a wild learning project at ActivLives’ community garden.
Free seed potatoes at the People’s Community Garden!
Free seed potatoes are being offered to schools and community groups at the People’s Community Garden, courtesy of Ipswich Organic Gardeners.
We’ve been selected for the #BagsofHelp initiative!
We’re delighted to be a recipient of Tesco’s #BagsofHelp initiative. Please visit your local store and help make a difference in your community!
Halloween Family Fun at the People’s Community Garden
Pumpkins have been harvested, witches have been warned, potatoes have been dug and the face painter has packed an extra box of paints in preparation for the People’s Community Garden spooky Halloween event on Wednesday 28th October from 11-2pm.
Dizzying Heights Reached at Edible Garden Open Day
Edible Gardens event along with the Biggest Sunflower Competition.
Get Out There! – New project for ActivGardens
ActivGardens has launched a project to encourage people to get out into the great outdoors to improve their physical and mental health and wellbeing, learn new skills, meet new friends, and feel part of their community.
BBC Radio Suffolk – ActivGardens Picnic & Community Market – 14.08.15
An interview with Jo Whittle, CRESS Project Co-ordinator.
Edible Gardens Harvest Festival at The People’s Community Garden- Sunflowers, Clay Oven Baking and some Tricky Questions!
The People’s Community Garden will celebrate its autumn bounty with a series of events on Saturday 19 September.
Go wild at our Big Garden Party on Saturday 25 July!
The People’s Community Garden celebrates its 7th Annual Event with some reptilian fun!
We are also marking ‘Year of the Sunflower’ so come and see how tall ours have grown this year…
Community Garden Prepares for a Bountiful Summer Market
Please note there will be no market in July as we will be busy preparing for our BIG GARDEN PARTY ON SATURDAY 25 JULY – PLEASE COME ALONG AND INVITE ALL YOUR FRIENDS!
Sunflowers will make people smile at Big Garden Party
Sunflowers are the theme for ActivLives’ grand community event at the People’s Community Garden on Maidenhall Allotments on Saturday 25 July.
Put Spring in your step with fresh greens
Community Garden spring greens tempted visitors at our first market at the recently launched Pavilion on Halifax Road on Friday 17 April.
SACK LOADS OF SPUDS THE PEOPLE’S COMMUNITY GARDEN!
If you are looking for a fine crop of spuds this year, look no further as down at the People’s Community Garden we have all the seed potatoes you can carry!
Come to our Christmas Fair at Chantry Walled Garden
Thursday 11 December – 11am till 2pm
Halloween is best ever!
Halloween celebrations at the community garden attracted more people than ever before, with local families turning out in the sunshine to enjoy this creative green space, right on their doorstep.
Turtle Dove Conservation at The People’s Community Garden
In May of this year the People’s Community Garden were approached by Samantha Lee from the RSPB about working in partnership on a project called Operation Turtle Dove.
Lloyds Bank Community Fund
Earlier this year, over 7,000 community groups were nominated across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and Channel Islands. 1,400 causes in 350 communities were then shortlisted for the Community Fund award.
Four local causes in every area will be awarded funding depending on the number of votes they receive.
The group with the most votes will get £3,000, the next £2,000, £1,000 and finally, £500.
ActivLives have been short listed for this Community Fund award.
Toe-tapping fun at Big Garden Party
The Big Garden Party was bigger and better than ever before, including the weather. The sun shone constantly on a throng of people, enjoying a huge range of entertainment and activities, on our central theme of bees, bugs and butterflies.
Heads up for exciting partnership
More than 300 children got a taste of gardening when they made “cress heads” with ActivGardens at the Suffolk Show.
Grow your skills in the garden
ActivGardens is celebrating after winning funding from the European Union to offer a second round of free training placements at its two urban garden sites.
Need to fill the gaps in your garden or window box?
. . . Then please come to Chantry Walled Garden plant sale on Tuesday 27 May, 10am till 3pm!
The Big Garden Party 2014
Preparation for our annual garden event is coming along!
Families go green-fingered
The sun shone on enthusiastic visitors to the ‘Have a Go Gardening’ event at the People’s Community Garden.
Teaming up for bees
ActivHives is pleased to announce a brand new partnership with Ipswich and East Suffolk Bee Keeping Association.
ActivGardens partnering up with Incredible Edible Ipswich
ActivGardens is proud to be partnering up with a new growing project, Incredible Edible Ipswich.
Spuds galore!
Free seed potatoes are available to community projects and schools at the People’s Community Garden, on Maidenhall Allotments.
Help for lizards
Chantry Walled Garden students teamed up with Ipswich Borough Council rangers to build lizard hibernacula in Chantry Park in January.
Local Charity Helps Ipswich Station Blossom
Abellio Greater Anglia’s Ipswich station is looking blooming lovely thanks to a partnershipnbetween local charity ActivLives, Ipswich Borough Council and the local train operator.
The Big Garden Birthday Party 2013 – Review
“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday thepeoplescommunitygarden……happy birthday to you!!”
Chantry Walled Garden plant nursery to open for sales
This beautiful garden will be opening its gates on Tuesday each week, 10am until 3pm, for members of the public to come and buy plants.
Garden is a picture
The Botanical Art course at the community garden turned out to be a great success, despite a windy start which blew down a tent. After the participants decamped to the polytunnel, things settled down, and tutor Sara Harrington delivered a fantastic two-day course for her Ipswich Institute pupils on Thursday 13 and Friday 14 June.
The Big Dig Review
“We were amazed how many people turned up….It was tipping it down all day!”
The Big Garden Birthday Party!
It’s that time of year again – But this time…it’s the gardens 5th birthday!
The Big Dig
The Big Dig Day – the biggest ever community gardening day. Pull on your boots and roll up your sleeves to take part in the biggest ever community gardening day on Saturday 16 March.