Partners » Suffolk Information Partnership

The Suffolk Information Partnership has a growing number of partners from the statutory, voluntary and independent sectors in Suffolk. Find out more about these organisations by clicking on the links below.

Who's new to the Suffolk Infomation Partnership in August 2022?

Access Community Trust We support people who may be homeless, vulnerable and suffering from social exclusion. We believe that everyone, irrespective of their background and circumstance, is entitled to live in a decent home, enjoy positive and rewarding relationships with others, engage in meaningful activities and achieve their maximum potential. We work with hundreds of vulnerable and disadvantaged clients in our communities, providing supported housing units, information advice and guidance services, drop-in centres, education and training facilities that include working with schools and youth-led projects including minority groups such as the LGBT+ community. Access CT also offers an employment mentoring recruitment service and a dual diagnosis mental health service, alongside a growing number of social enterprise cafes throughout Suffolk and Norfolk.

The ACE Project supports young people with mental health difficulties to Achieve, Connect and Enjoy for wellbeing. We work with young people aged 16-24 who would like some support with their mental health, whether they have a diagnosis or not. We offer: Weekly Wellbeing Workshops in Ipswich covering topics such as stress management, anxiety awareness, communication skills and resilience building; fun, accessible PACE fitness clubs to give young people the opportunity to engage in physical activity as a means to promote positive behavioural change and boost emotional wellbeing; and Wellbeing Wednesdays where young people across Suffolk can book on-line sessions with a qualified therapist for focused metal health support.

ActivLives is a small, grassroots charity, working in Ipswich and East Suffolk. Since becoming a Charity in 2012, we have developed a wide range of activities and projects, for people of all ages, to get involved in, such as Community Gardening, ActivSheds, Community Singing, Inclusive ActivSport, Step by Step Programme (Falls Prevention), seated exercise, health walk, lunch club and stimulating activities for people living with Dementia, Carers and former carers. Our 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. We support people with long-term health conditions, both physical and mental, people with Learning Disability, people with a disability, younger people and adults. We mainly work in areas of deprivation, including urban and rural and we work with a diverse range of people, from different communities, ethnicity, faith and religions. We have a fantastic team of experienced and qualified staff and over 40 dedicated and loyal volunteers who help us run the activities we provide.

Anglia Care Trust, ACT specialises in preventative, community based services, giving people the stability, support and challenge which is often required in order to enable them to realise their full potential. These fall within three broad headings: Community Safety, Housing Services, Advice and Guidance

The Customer Services team provides a range of support to our customers and signposting to other council services. Can act as a referral point for other Babergh and Mid Suffolk Council services

The Digital Journey support package helps our residents get online, learn digital skills, and build confidence with all things digital. From providing devices to facilitating online and in person training, we're here to help you get the most out of the digital world

The Housing Solutions team provides in-depth advice on housing and homelessness issues across Babergh and Mid Suffolk, including Homelessness Prevention, Rough Sleeping, Temporary Accommodation, Private Sector Housing and the Gateway to Homechoice.

The Income Management team are responsible for the collection of rent and other charges for Council-owned accommodation. Where tenants are struggling to pay their rent or other housing-related charges, the Team can provide the advice and support that will help keep our tenants in their homes.

The Tenancy Management team are responsible for ensuring that Council tenants understand their rights, and their responsibilities, under the tenancy agreement. They can provide the advice which will help tenants sustain their tenancies, and they are responsible for tackling anti-social behaviour and other tenancy breaches.

The Befriending Network provides companionship to people across West Suffolk age 60 plus. We are an established service with over 200 clients and similar numbers of volunteers. The aim is to enhance the lives of all involved. We have adapted our service to fit in with the needs of the pandemic and are currently offering both Face to Face and Telephone Befriending. We receive referrals from a variety of pathways for a number of reasons; isolation, limited mobility, bereavement to name just a few. All referrals are triaged on a case by case basis and our Befriending Co-ordinator will visit individuals to get to know them and carry out a risk assessment before introducing them to their Volunteer Befriender. We aim to match like minded people who can form long term reciprocal friendships. Many of our matches continue for several years and all our volunteers undertake an induction and enhanced DBS check.

Breakeven Breakeven offers free gambling related harm interventions and support delivered by a highly skilled and specially trained team of practitioners. Treatment is provided not only for the gambler but also for anybody that may be affected by someone’s gambling behaviour. The free treatment and support that we offer is either delivered face to face, via the telephone or by video appointments for clients across the southeast of the country. Our offices span from Eastbourne all the way to Norwich with our Ipswich office located at Suffolk Enterprise Centre. Once a referral is received one of our dedicated assessment team will contact the client to arrange a telephone assessment and assign them to a practitioner. The practitioner will offer weekly sessions and regularly review the treatment plan to make sure the client is getting the most out of the service.

Citizens Advice Diss, Thetford and District We provide free, confidential and independent advice to help people overcome their problems. Offices in Diss and Thetford, plus outreach in Harleston and Eye

Citizens Advice Felixstowe offer free, confidential, independent, impartial & quality assured advice on Benefits (including Universal Credit), Debt, Consumer Issues, Employment, Housing, Relationships & Family, Tax, Utilities, Health & Community Care, Education - and in fact, anything else which is bothering you. We have a specialised Money Advice Team who can provide support around all issues involving Debt and Money Management

Citizens Advice Ipswich offers free, confidential, impartial, quality assured advice and support to all those in Ipswich who need it. We help people find a way forward with their problems and campaign on big issues when their voices need to be heard. We support income maximisation through reviewing benefit entitlements, saving money on energy costs and accessing grants when needed. We are an open gateway for food parcels and welfare assistance. Our Money team can negotiate with debtors, enabling clients to manage their daily lives more effectively. We are open Monday to Friday from Tower Street, with outreach drop in sessions at Hawthorn Drive GP surgery, Gainsborough Library and Whitton Clinic.

Citizens Advice Leiston, Saxmundham & Distict We answer thousands of queries, covering every aspect of life, from dealing with multiple debt to what to do about wasp's nests. We are here to provide information, advice and help in negotiating with others. We are free, independent, impartial and confidential. Outreach locations in Wickham Market, Saxmundham, Framlingham, Woodbridge, Aldeburgh and Alderton

Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk Our Vision is that everyone will be able to access free advice to find a way forward. Our Mission is to provide free, confidential, impartial advice to help people overcome their problems and campaign on big issues when their voices need to be heard. We offer information and advice through face-to-face, phone and email and online

Citizens Advice North East Suffolk provides free, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. In addition to delivering the quality assured advice that provides our clients with the best opportunity to make informed decisions, we also campaign effectively for positive change and provide rewarding volunteering opportunities. We have office locations in Lowestoft, Beccles, Bungay and Halesworth and can also be found at number of outreach locations including Community Centres and Doctors' Surgeries around Waveney.

Citizens Advice Sudbury and District We provide free, independent, impartial and confidential advice to local people to help them to resolve problems including benefits, housing, debt, employment, relationships and family issues, consumer goods and services, discrimination, legal, energy advice, health and community care

Citizens Advice West Suffolk (Bury St Edmunds, Brandon, Haverhill, Mildenhall, Newmarket) Provision of information, advice and advocacy. We provide free advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination.

Communities Together East Anglia is a countywide charity providing support to people within the communities in which they live, work, socialise and ultimately feel safe and supported in. We are part of the Connecting Communities rural transport service, covering Ipswich and Mid Suffolk. In addition to this, we can also support with transport needs for schools, hospitals and social activities, care homes and more. Suffolk Carers Matter - is our family carers service, and is now a part of our suite of services supporting the community. Currently we offer a support line with a referral route into other family carer support, access to counselling for family carers and respite and social activities for both family carers and the cared for. We also offer a "carers card" which can support family carers with access to priority queuing and proof of carers status (this is not regulated or officially recognised)

Community Action Suffolk (CAS) is the 'go to' organisation for Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations in Suffolk. We support organisations in the sector to enable them to operate more effectively. We provide a voice for organisations and groups who may not otherwise be heard and represent their interests to the private and public sectors. We do this through conferences, workshops, events, specialist networks, and by consultation with the sector.

Public Health - Community Information Team (CIT) managing Suffolk InfoLink, Suffolk's online directory of community information, local clubs, societies, community and voluntary organisations, childcare providers and services.

Connected Communities is a social prescribing plus project (the plus being it is a mobile service) for people 65 and over model for the areas outlined below in East Suffolk. It uses the health coaching model over 4-5 appointments to help people make a positive step forward in an area in their life eg low mood, loneliness or an existing health condition they wish to make a change in. 1 Woodbridge and Deben, 2 Framlingham and Wickham Market, 3 Rural East and West Waveney (excluding Lowestoft). People can refer through a variety of Statutory and VCS organisations but can also be referred by family or self-refer to the project. This is done by contacting Suffolk Family Carers directly, electronically on the website or a hard copy of the referral form sent out to anyone enquiring about the project. Also funding opportunities for the three project areas.

Customer First is the first point of contact for social services in Suffolk. We deal with enquiries and referrals for adults, children, and for mental health assessments. You can contact our team via phone, email, online referral and Web Chat. Our lines are open Monday to Thursday 8am to 5:20pm, Fridays 8am to 4:20pm (excluding bank holidays) The Emergency Duty Service is available out of these hours. You can report the abuse of an adult online. You can also report child abuse online using the safeguarding referral form.

Disability Advice North East Suffolk DANES We do much more than simply advise on benefits. Our work focuses on giving free advice, guidance, and representation to anyone in the area with a disability, long term health condition, their carers and the professionals who support them. Our staff have a wealth of knowledge, often backed up with lived experience, of the challenges faced by our clients. Our aim is to help people to be the best they can be through timely advice, appropriate welfare benefit applications and appeals, support to overcome barriers to everyday life and assistance to find employment, volunteer opportunities and education, if that is what they want to achieve. If we don't know the answer we can usually find it!

Disability Advice Service East Suffolk (DAS) is a small independent voluntary organisation offering advice to disabled people and carers living in the Suffolk Coastal area of East Suffolk. We specialise in welfare benefits and housing rights.

East Suffolk Council Customer Services provide advice and guidance on council services eg council tax, benefits, housing and general advice and assistance. We provide a telephone service, online access and face to face provisions at a number of locations across the district.

East Suffolk Council Covid Community Intervention Team - part of the Communities Team at the Council, the CIT supports the Covid-19 response and recovery, particularly testing, responding to outbreaks in public settings and supporting the vaccination programme led by the two Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). We have a particular focus on tackling health inequalities and supporting those who find it more difficult to access information, advice, services and support.

East Suffolk Council Communities Team - the Team support individuals and communities in East Suffolk with health and wellbeing, community safety, anti-social behaviour and enabling communities to achieve their ambitions. We support the eight Community Partnerships in East Suffolk and work with our Customer Services Team to provide support for people to access food, prescriptions and social support through the Home But Not Alone helpline.

East Suffolk Council Tenancy Services Team are responsible for all aspects of tenancy management for our Council Tenants. We ensure that tenants know their rights and responsibilities under their tenancy agreement, provide tenancy sustainment advice and we are responsible for tackling anti-social behaviour and other breaches of tenancy. We are responsible for the collection of rent and other charges for Council owned residential properties, and can provide advice and support where tenants are struggling to pay their rent. Our Financial Inclusion Officer is able to provide advice on maximising income, reducing outgoings and benefits advice to support tenants to pay their rent and outgoings and sustain their tenancy.

Emmaus Suffolk is an independent charity and a member of an international movement. The vision of every Emmaus is "A world in which everyone has a home and sense of belonging". We provide volunteer work opportunities and experience for the local community in an social enterprise setting, offering retail and community cafe roles. We also run community hubs in both our Ipswich and Felixstowe sites. The arts and crafts community hubs are open to any member of the public as a drop in service at specific times. We also run a gardening club and have upcycling opportunities that can be accessed through our volunteering openings. We have a small community house share for those who are homeless or vulnerably housed (there is a criteria). Every person entering the house must sign off all income based benefits (excluding housing benefit) and will be expected to volunteer for 37.5 hours a week within the Emmaus and local community. In return they will live in the house, receive a personal allowance and money for food. They will be supported to help them build their self-esteem, confidence and skill set and work towards independent living.

Family First is a local Christian charity who support families in Ipswich. We seek to increase parents/carers confidence, social support networks and mental wellbeing. We will work with any family regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability or cultural background. We simply ask that families recognise a need for change and are willing to work with us to make this happen. We provide a mentoring service matching trained volunteers to visit families for an hour a week to listen, support and empower them to achieve mutually agreed goals. We hope to provide a holistic service supporting families to make small changes that can lead to a big difference. This often includes signposting to other services and support agencies. We can provide longer term support (up to one year). We work directly with the parents/carers and want to see families flourish and become more resilient so they are better equipped to manage in the longer term when support has ended.

Felixstowe Christian Action against Poverty and Debt works in partnership with the national charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP) UK to provide: debt counselling in which Rick, our debt coach, and CAP’s head office staff work to find the best route for anyone living with debt to become debt free - ring 0800 328 0006 to arrange an appointment; one to one budgeting advice sessions and the CAP Money Course to enable people to get to grips with their finances so they can budget, save and prevent debt. For more information call: 07394 177634 or email: Felixstowemoneycourse@outlook.com; the Life Skills course which equips people with the confidence, decision making, and practical skills needed to live on a low income To find out more call: 07942353486 or email: joybaker@caplifeskills.org All our services are free and are available to everyone living in Felixstowe and the surrounding area, regardless of their age, gender, background or faith.

The Fishermen's Mission provides practical, emotional and financial support to both current and retired fishermen and their families. We are also able to refer our clients onto specialist debt advisors specifically trained to deal with seafarers as well as offering free counselling and healthy living advice through our SeaFit programme. We have a nationwide emergency on call service which operates 24/7 for incidents at sea.

GamFam is a registered Charity set up by those who have experienced first-hand the devastating effects that gambling can have on family and friends. We provide advice and support to those directly and indirectly affected by gambling harms through structured peer support and signposting to relevant partners and agencies. By raising public awareness and understanding of the early warning signs commonly associated with the development of a gambling addiction we aim to promote early intervention and minimise any related potential harms. GamFam is an organisation that is committed to supporting any person directly or indirectly affected by gambling harms by: Ensuring Lived Experience of gambling harms is at the centre of everything we do; Providing a safe, supportive and inclusive service with care and respect

Gatehouse We're an independent charity that works with the vulnerable throughout East Anglia. Our work is split into four project areas: The Home Store, The Foodbank, the Community Wellbeing project, the Christmas project

Genesis Orwell Mencap provides a range of high quality day care services in Suffolk, supporting adults and young people with learning or physical disabilities. Our services include daytime support from our fully accessible day centre in Ipswich, support in the home and community through our domiciliary services and supported living, weekend and school holiday daytime support for young people, and a weekly evening social club. We also operate social enterprises, including the manufacture of our Genesis Garden Furniture and the Green Bike Project, which provide work experience activities for adults with disabilities, aimed at encouraging inclusion, raising awareness and changing attitudes.

Green Light Trust is a registered charity that believes in the healing power of nature to transform lives. With a core ethos around the preservation of our natural environment, we bring people and nature together in woodland spaces across East Anglia. We support over 2,000 participants each year through running transformative wellbeing and educational courses for both adults and children who society has marginalised or disadvantaged, helping them to refocus and rebuild their lives. The benefits for our participants include: improving wellbeing, growing self-esteem, reducing isolation, building self-confidence, improving social skills, practical work-based skills, such as woodworking, environmental management and conservation of our planet, and the importance of nutrition and cooking skills. Our fully funded courses vary in length but are always one day a week, 10-3 with lunch provided.

Home-Start in Suffolk is a Family Support Charity. Our vision is that every child in Suffolk is given the best start in life because of the love, support and guidance they receive from their parents, guardians or the people performing the role of their parents. We work with families with children aged 0-12 years across the County. Our network of over 250 fully trained, compassionate and non-judgemental volunteers support families as they navigate through difficult circumstances including Mental Health, illness, disability, bereavement, domestic abuse, poverty, isolation and much more by providing weekly 1-1 support through home-visiting, telephone or video call.

Hope After Suicide Loss aims to provide a comprehensive support package specifically tailored to meet the needs of suicide loss, to alleviate isolation, reduce secondary suicides and offer a service with no waiting list. We offer: indefinite and free support, where the expertise most valued is not clinical but based on personal experience; E-mail and telephone support available 7 days a week; Free access to a library of books through our website; The marking and remembering of the anniversary of a person's death; Support at group meetings in Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich and Lowestoft; Signposting for survivors; Guest speakers who are invited to talk about specific challenges, post suicide; The encouragement of networking amongst survivors in order to alleviate isolation; Regular communication to survivors by block e-mail in accordance with data protection laws; The opportunitity to attend an annual service of remembrance dedicated to survivors bereaved by suicide; Encouragement for survivors to co-produce social and fundraising events.

Independent Living Suffolk (ILS) This service is delivered by Suffolk County Council in partnership with local Districts and Boroughs. The purpose of the service is to provide advice, guidance and where necessary, improve or adapt your home to ensure that you are able to continue to live in your home in safety and comfort. Services offered include: Advice and information about your housing options, Occupational therapy service, Home adaptations, Grab rails, Advice and information about paying for work. Our initial advice is always free.

ihAg - Ipswich Housing Action Group is a registered charity actively supporting those at risk of homelessness. The Chapman Centre provides a daily point of human contact as a hub for social interaction, practical support and engaging advice. It is also a hub for supporting partners providing employment, education, housing advice, mental health support and general health advice. The Supported Housing Service provides a roof over single people's heads. We have 55 places in 14 houses. The Money Advice Service offers free and practical financial guidance.

InsideOut Community 1 Regular group art and wellbeing sessions, short courses for creative writing for wellbeing, we also have a limited availability for one to one art for wellbeing sessions. 2 A community-based arts and wellbeing resource for people with mental and emotional health needs. Our varied art programme: visual arts, creative writing, dance, music and more, is run by professional artists and supported by programme leaders who have training in mental health & emotional wellbeing.

IP3 Good Neighbours has been set up for the community by the community. We are part of a wider Suffolk Network of Good Neighbour Schemes which are supported by Community Action Suffolk. We are looking to help people within the IP3 region of Ipswich who need support whether this be practically or just by being a listening ear. The group was originally formed to help people during the Covid-19 outbreak, but we have seen a need that will be ongoing and an opportunity to build on the increased Community Spirit that the outbreak has brought to the fore.

Ipswich Borough Council Customer Services consists of a dedicated team of Customer Service Agents that answer queries from customers either by phone or online. Our agents cover a wide range of service areas and are specifically trained in 3 separate groups to maximise their expertise.

Lofty Heights CIC is a small non profit organisation. From decluttering the homes of hoarders to tidying the mildly muddled – we can help to regain control of your home. We also enable hospital discharges to be speeded up by moving/rearranging of furniture to create space for hospital equipment. We carry out cleaning and deep cleaning within the home, empty lofts, and cut back overgrown gardens. By using our services you enable us to provide more opportunities for real work and training for young people. There may be charges for our services if the person referred does not receive mainstream support. Please have that conversation with your client to avoid upset when we contact them. We can discuss in more detail if you are unsure.

The Macmillan Benefit Advice Service We provide free confidential advice, information and support to cancer patients and their families/carers attending any of the following hospitals: Addenbrookes, Ipswich, James Paget, Norfolk and Norwich, West Suffolk

Medequip Connect services focus on optimising the use of todays' smart technology to help keep people secure and safe both in their homes and when they are out and about, boosting independence and quality of life. From care line alarms with personal call alarm buttons linking to immediate response services through to more sophisticated falls detection devices that can be worn or installed around the home. Medequip Connect makes sure you can access immediate help and support 24 hours a day. Alarms trigger a response from relatives or emergency services, dependent upon the requirement.

MENTA help people who would either like to start a business or move into self-employment. Our support is delivered via a blend of workshops (delivered virtually via Zoom), 1-2-1 sessions & self-led learning, our training is comprehensive, focused and above all completely free of charge. Starting a business from scratch or transferring skills to become self-employed, a freelancer or sole trader is a big step, that’s why the business experts at MENTA who make up our top team of business advisers and specialist trainers are so keen to share their experience. You can count on us to help get your client’s venture off to a great start.

Newmarket Open Door is a charity providing homeless and vulnerable young people with supported housing and training opportunities in Newmarket. As well as our houses, we run two Charity Superstores and Training Centres in Newmarket and Mildenhall to fundraise and the local Foodbank to support the wider community

Newtide Homes is part of the Flagship Group. Flagship build homes, let, improve, and maintain them. Making homes available and affordable for all is easy to say but hard to deliver on. We don't simply want to make a difference to our tenants and their communities - we want to solve the housing crisis too. The Group has three regional housing associations - Newtide Homes, Samphire Homes and Victory Homes.

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) helps people with mental health problems in Norfolk and Suffolk. Supporting them to improve their emotional wellbeing and to live fulfilling lives

PACT Parents and Carers Together We offer support around mental health and emotional wellbeing for parents and carers who have a child or young person with mental health issues - diagnosed or not - by providing support groups, 1:1 support, training, workshops, resources and signposting

PHOEBE Offering specialist advice and information, casework, advocacy support and counselling services to black and ethnic minority women and children. We help women facing domestic violence. Provide free English classes on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Organise bilingual interpreter programs. Organise self-esteem workshops for women and children

Progression Sessions covers Ipswich and East Suffolk. They are free monthly meetings for young disabled people transitioning into adulthood. We work together to support each other through our own experiences and knowledge. We also invite special guests to talk about their professional fields, and how they benefit disabled people.

The Raedwald Trust is a partnership of Alternative Provisions and bespoke pathways serving children and young people requiring a different route to success. We operate nine sites across Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds. Our colleagues and partners share our passion for achieving exceptional outcomes for our young people; we work together to support our young people into being productive members of the communities in which they live.

RAF Benevolent Fund supports members of the RAF family, both past and present. This means serving members and their families as well as RAF Veterans and/ or their widows and includes those who served in the Royal Observer Corps and those who completed their National Service with the RAF- they only need to have served for a day! The Community Engagement Worker supports RAF Veterans and/or their partners or widows facing loneliness and isolation, whether through physical or mental health challenges, financial problems or caring responsibilities. The Benevolent Fund also deal with housing and mobility issues, financial support, disability and carer’s breaks and a range of wellbeing support such as advocacy, professional counselling and telephone support groups.

REACH Community Projects We are an independent charity, operating in the Haverhill area, who's aim is to support people who are struggling with financial hardship and/or crisis. We do this by supporting people with debt advice and budgeting support - for which we are FCA registered; with benefit advice - while also offering support to complete applications and, if required, to the appeal process; offering welfare support and possible financial aid; signposting to other organisations, and we also run the Foodbank in Haverhill. We have a Team of Outreach Advisors who will support people through face-to-face visits to travel their journey for as long as the person requires.

Realise Futures Enhancing People's Lives, operating across Suffolk and Essex combining commercial trade of products and services alongside work placements, employment and training opportunities. The primary aim of the business is to improve and promote the economic, wellbeing and mental health of those who are disadvantaged and/or disabled. The company is organised in three divisions, Learning and Development, Employment and RF Works (six distinct Social Businesses). Together they provide professional and tailored opportunities that support people to realise their potential.

Restitute We support to 3rd party victims of crime - the parents, carers, loved ones and siblings of people who have survived childhood sexual abuse or exploitation, sexual violence as an adult, serious violence or domestic abuse.

Samphire Homes is part of the Flagship Group. Flagship build homes, let, improve, and maintain them. Making homes available and affordable for all is easy to say but hard to deliver on. We don't simply want to make a difference to our tenants and their communities - we want to solve the housing crisis too. The Group has three regional housing associations - Newtide Homes, Samphire Homes and Victory Homes.

Sharing Parenting offer a range of advice support to parents and carers including parenting courses, taster sessions, parent guidebooks, 1-1 support, advice and support for parents or children with SEN, advice and support on return to work, volunteering or education

Shaw Trust delivers a range of services nationally including employability programmes and health and wellbeing services. We deliver social prescribing support in East Suffolk known as Connect for Health. Social prescribing recognises the wider determinants of health, such as poor housing or being unemployed and the impact this can have and is about connecting individuals to sources of help and support within the community, through supporting, enabling and equipping them to deal with wider social issues. Social prescribing helps people get more control over their health and wellbeing, to manage their needs in a way that suits them. Connect for Health is a free confidential service available to everyone over the age of 18 years.

Shaw Trust delivers Connect for Health in the following areas: Woodbridge (Kesgrave, Martlesham, Wickham Market and surrounding areas) Felixstowe (surrounding areas) Saxmundham and North East (Saxmundham, Leiston, Framlingham and surrounding areas) South Rural (Hadleigh, Shotley and surrounding areas) Eye and North West (Eye, Fressingfield, Debenham and surrounding areas) Central Suffolk (Stowmarket, Needham and surrounding areas).

Solo Housing has been working with single people to find housing solutions since 1985. We help a range of people, from those who simply need a roof over their head, to those who need regular help to overcome problems that they may be experiencing. We are funded by a number of different agencies, as well as by voluntary donation, to provide support, advice, information and practical help to achieve this. We offer a range of accommodation solutions including support housing, lodgings & general needs.

SPOT Wellbeing is a Community Interest Company in Suffolk serving the community to help people aged over 50 to keep physically and mentally well. We are a team of Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists working with people to improve and maintain their mental and physical wellbeing, promote healthy living through exercise and prevent ill health. We are a non-profit organisation and any surplus made will be invested into community projects to promote health and wellbeing in areas where needs are identified. We serve to make a lasting difference to people's lives not just alleviating the symptoms but tackling the long term problems which cause the symptoms.

St Nicholas Hospice Neighbours is a local volunteer project that provides valued companionship and practical support to people and their families facing long term and life threatening illnesses.
Offers of support can include:
• Companionship – visiting for a cup of tea and a providing a friendly listening ear
• Practical support
• Connection – helping people to stay connected with their community
• Signposting to local support services
All support is provided free of charge

St Nicholas Hospice (West Suffolk & Thetford) Community Connector Team. We support people who are at the end of life, or with a life limiting diagnosis, to connect into their local communities and to link with other forms of support to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. We equip communities to talk more openly about death, dying and grief in order that people feel more confident to hold compassionate conversations with those that are facing end of life or experiencing loss and bereavement.

St Peters is the parish church for the rural town of Brandon. Its main vision is to serve the people of the town through support, care and action through the activities that we hold in our community church hall. These activities include Tiddlers toddler group, Beacons children's group, Youth Group, weekly drop in, St Peter's Pantry, Crafters Group, Men's Breakfast, monthly community lunch and community events. These groups support those who are recently bereaved, isolated, lonely, homeless and those in emergency accommodation, families and individuals on low income. We recently received an award from our community for the impact we are making locally.

Steel Bones helps amputee families live life to the full, helped by a proactive supportive peer community. The support we provide empowers the amputee and their family and friends helping in moments of stress and crisis. Steel Bones has a year round calendar of regular social events for amputees and their families. It provides direct support where there is a geographical or service need and provides advice, guidance or signposting to relevant services to help amputee families navigate the complex, and often confusing, amputee support landscape. Our telephone support service, the Bones Lines, our website and online community help support amputee families across England and Wales, whilst our local, volunteer-led, Steel Bones' hubs work on the ground with amputee families in their own communities.

Stepping Home is a Suffolk wide service delivered by East Suffolk Council’s Private Sector Housing team. The service aims to solve housing issues for vulnerable hospital and community patients by providing minor adaptations to their homes, e.g. grab rails, key safes, decluttering and deep cleaning. The Service aim to improve householder safety, independence and wellbeing.

Storehouse Foodbank is a compassion ministry run by Stour Valley Vineyard Church since 2007. We aim to help local families and individuals in financial crisis.

Sue Ryder supports those with complex neurological conditions with residential and community based support, including The Chantry nursing home. They provide a welcoming, safe environment for people living with, or recovering from, a neurological condition including dementia to maintain their independence, skills and self confidence.

Suffolk Coastal Debt Centre is a Free Debt Counselling Service run by Christians Against Poverty (CAP) who are a Nationwide Award-Winning Charity. When you call our free number 0800 328 0006, you'll speak to someone from out New Enquiries team. They'll arrange an initial appointment with a CAP Debt Coach from your local area. Here at CAP Suffolk Coastal Debt Centre we cover the area from just outside Ipswich up to the borders of Waveney and as far back as the A140.

Suffolk Community Services provides a comprehensive range of NHS services closer to home. It is run by East and West alliances of local healthcare providers including Suffolk GP Federation, Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust and West Suffolk NHS Hospital.

Suffolk Constabulary holds a wide collection of crime prevention information within our First Principle library which can be passed on electronically or a hard copy. Alternatively, Suffolk Constabulary can make contact via telephone or if necessary, in person, to discuss crime prevention measures to make people safer and reassured. Warm Handover referrals should only be used for crime prevention advice requests. To report a crime, concern for welfare, provide intelligence etc should be done via traditional methods of 999 in an emergency, 101 or online at the Suffolk Constabulary website.

Suffolk Family Carers provides a countywide unhurried information, advice and guidance service (either telephone or face to face) to family carers of all ages; caring for someone with a physical disability, mental health condition, autism and substance misuse. We run free of charge sessions to help family carers cope with their situation and training sessions, including a moving and handling advice service. Suffolk Family Carers also have a presence in hospitals in Suffolk and East Norfolk, GP Surgeries and visits to schools. We are involved with Social Prescribing projects and a carer's information bus that pops up in various locations!

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service Prevention Team deliver Safe and Well visits to vulnerable people in their homes. Advice is given regarding home fire safety, night time routine and escape plans. Fire related risks including smoking cessation, warmer homes and isolation issues are also discussed and referrals made where appropriate. Free smoke alarms are fitted if required and sensory alarm equipment is available for residents with hearing issues.

Suffolk Law Centre is a charity providing free legal services to help the diverse communities of Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex CO postcodes. We aim to help individuals to gain equal access to justice, to challenge disadvantage and inequality, and to understand their legal rights, obligations and protections.

Suffolk Libraries delivers a free library service across Suffolk. We have 44 libraries, a mobile service, a Mental Health and Wellbeing service, an information and digital service and a Home Library Service for customers who are unable to access our libraries. We offer advice and assistance to the public on a variety of topics, including books, and provide community activities and a general enquiry service. Our libraries also offer courses and events throughout the year for all ages.

Suffolk Mind is a mental health charity whose aim is to make Suffolk the best place in the world for talking about and taking care of mental wellbeing. All of us have mental health, just as we have physical health, and it is important to meet our emotional needs as well as our physical needs. At Suffolk Mind we have information and services that are easy to access and can help people to take care of their emotional needs, to secure their own mental wellbeing, and enable them to be more supportive of others.

Suffolk Sight is the new sight-loss charity for Suffolk, created by amalgamating the East Suffolk Association for the Blind with West Suffolk Sight. It's purpose is to improve the lives of people who are affected by sight loss throughout Suffolk. Designed to provide practical and realistic solutions to challenges posed by sight loss, we provide a wide range of services to help individuals promote and maintain their independence. Services include Low vision therapy, aids and equipment, Befriending, Assistive Technology support, Newsletters and Social Clubs.

Suffolk Trading Standards supports and assists both consumers and businesses. They advise on and enforce laws that govern the way we buy, sell, rent and hire goods and services. Trading Standards are part of Suffolk County Council and are a county-wide service advising on consumer law, investigating complaints and, if all else fails, prosecuting traders who break the law.

Suffolk User Forum (SUF) is an independent mental health user led involvement, peer support and advocacy organisation. Listening and giving people a voice is central to our work. Our support is designed around people's individual needs, choices, and what matters to them. We promote the mentoring value of lived experience through meaningful coproduction and intervention-based support. Our services include: Advocacy Together - acute inpatient mental health, non-statutory, peer-led advocacy, and support for self-advocacy; Healthy Together peer support - peer support for people living with severe mental illness (SMI; Peer telephone support - providing support to increase people's mental health and wellbeing, building self-confidence and resilience, promoting connection, communities and reducing isolation; Making our Voice Count - enabling an active user voice in the commissioning and delivery of mental health services, facilitating coproduction, and influencing decision making; Suicide prevention; Signposting for support; Five Ways to Wellbeing and other learning workshops - exploring different approaches to self-care, supporting people with their mental health recovery to live well

Survivors in Transition is a support centre for men and women (eighteen+) who have experienced any form of sexual abuse in their childhood. We support men and women who have experienced sexual abuse in childhood, through a range of trauma informed, psycho-educational activities including one to one and group therapy, counselling, advocacy, research and training to become empowered and improve self esteem and resilience.

The Befriending Scheme (TBS) is a Registered Charity that since 1989 has offered befriending services, friendship and learning opportunities to vulnerable and isolated people in Suffolk including those with learning disabilities, those with mental health needs and vulnerable families. The core services of The Befriending Scheme focuses on building one to one friendships between vulnerable people and volunteer befrienders and running ‘drop in’s’, known as Hubs in five towns in Suffolk. As well as the hubs throughout Suffolk we also have a Community Farm Hub.

The Mix Stowmarket, is a Suffolk-based Youth Work charity. We provide a broad range of programmes and activities for young people, based at The Mix, in local primary and secondary schools and within the community. Our programmes work with young people ranging from age 8 up to 25. We also have a range of volunteering opportunities for people who share a passion for the young people in our community. These include helping out in our youth work activities, as well as more behind the scenes roles, which all help to enable our vision to become a reality.

Volunteering Matters believe that everyone should have the opportunity to thrive. We bring people together to overcome society's most complex issues, building stronger communities through the power of volunteering. As a trusted provider of high impact projects, we partner with communities to overcome adversity. Our projects in Ipswich enables older people to maintain their health and wellbeing, empowers young people leaving care or not in NEET to build skills, confidence and find their direction in life, helps reduce isolation and loneliness for vulnerable people, and makes sure young people can lead change.

Walton Parish Nursing is for anyone living in Walton, Felixstowe and/or connected with the three Walton Churches (Maidstone Road Baptist Church, Seaton Road Methodist Church and St Mary's Church Walton). They provide free health promotion and screening at three drop in clinics and at home visits, leg and foot care (sole mates), chair based exercise classes, support to family and carers, transport to medical appointments, referral and signposting to other agencies, support with enabling activities, both at home and community based, support making sense of medical information, prayer support and the opportunity to discuss spiritual needs, support to those with long-term conditions, health education in group sessions, support to increase and maintain safety and independence in the home and support with mental and emotional health. We provide 'No Labels' a mental health support group, Fizzability a physical disability group for those of working age and a craft group. Details of days and times can be found on our website www.waltonpn.org.uk

Warm Homes, Healthy People is a Suffolk multi agency partnership. The project aims to assist vulnerable people living in fuel poverty to have adequate access to heat. The project may be able to assist low income, vulnerable households with free home energy surveys, insulation, fuel payments, heating repairs and replacements (subject to eligibility criteria).

Wednesday’s Child is a not-for-profit organisation, supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. Fuelled by a team with both expert and personal insight, we deliver 121 therapy, group support for parents and carers, a comprehensive befriending programme and a suite of learning and training resources.

Wellbeing Suffolk provide a range of support for people with common mental health and emotional issues, such as low mood. depression or stress. We work with you to help you make the necessary changes to improve your wellbeing and quality of life. Our services are free and are available to people and for people aged 16 or over

Customer Services Team Provides a range of access to Council services and signposting to support. More likely to refer individuals to the scheme, than to receive referrals

Families and Communities Team consists of a number of locality officers, providing support, connections, and a wide range of information and advice to our families and communities. Working with a range of partners to strengthen and build resilient communities. We can signpost to additional support and also provide assistance through the Home But Not Alone service.

Housing Options and Homelessness Services Provide a range of support and advice services to access housing in West Suffolk. This includes links to the housing register (known as Home-Link), advice to access to private sector rented accommodation as well as a range of homelessness services.

Public Health and Housing Team The Team provides a range of services, including the provision of grant assistance to support disabled and vulnerable people to live independently and safely in their homes; decent and safe standards of accommodation in the private rented sector and a decent quality of life through control of nuisances.