What Partners do

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. You can also find them all listed on Suffolk InfoLink.

Who's new to the Suffolk Information Partnership in April 2024?

Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Christies Care

4YP provide 7-25 years olds’ with somewhere safe to go, something positive to do and someone trusted to connect and journey with, via counselling and youth work, from our Hub, in the community and in schools. Services we provide: Counselling In person in Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds, Virtually on screen, By telephone. Schools (as listed on our website) Youth Work, Hub, 1:1s, Youth Groups (e.g. Girls Group / Walk n Talk), Open access drop-in, Academic holiday activities, Community Spokes, Youth Clubs (Kesgrave and Rushmere), Detached/Street Work (IP2 & IP3), Health Coach (Ipswich Hospital Diabetes Transition Service), Schools (as listed on our website), Youth Social Prescribing, 1:1, Groups 

Abbeycroft Leisure: Active Communities provides a variety of community-based physical activities delivered at our leisure centres across Suffolk to enhance community cohesion, well-being and tackle inequalities or inactivity.  We have a range of groups that support those living with dementia, long-term health conditions and disabilities.

Abbeycroft Leisure: Active Living Exercise on Referral provides support and advice from an exercise referral specialist, who will arrange to meet with you at your local leisure centre. The referral schemes are suitable for people with anxiety, arthritis, asthma, cardiac rehabilitation phase IV, COPD, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis or who are overweight or obese.

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.

Ace Anglia is a people-lead advocacy organisation working with people with a learning disability and autistic people across Suffolk. Ace is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. Ace is people-lead meaning organisational and strategic decisions are made jointly by a board of Trustees and an Advisory group. Our focus areas are: One to one advocacy/Group advocacy/Working in coproduction/Implementing the Joint Suffolk Learning Disability Strategy/Facilitating the Learning Disability Partnership Board coproduction and focus groups/Producing accessible information/Project work/Film work and photography/Community inclusion.

Our vision is for: “A world where everyone has their voice heard so that people live good lives as part of their community with the right support, at the right time from the right people”.

Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis is a national charity. Our vision is to find a cure for pulmonary fibrosis (or lung scarring) so that everyone affected by the disease has a better future. We provide support to families through our Support Line and signposting to local Support Groups, raise awareness, campaign and educate to improve access to the highest standard of care for everyone affected. Our Support Line number is 01223 785725, and you can sign up to our newsletter through our website here https://www.actionpf.org/information-and-support/signup 

Active Suffolk is one of 43 Active Partnerships across England committed to increasing the number of people taking part in sport and physical activity. We are a non-profit organisation, funded primarily by Sport England. Since our formation in 1996, we have developed our role and reputation as a key player in shaping the current and future provision of sport and physical activity across the county. We work in conjunction with a wide range of partners including local authorities, national governing bodies (NGB's), the education sector, the health sector, charitable/voluntary organisations and third sector organisations to support people in Suffolk to lead healthy, active lives.

We also provide the Active Wellbeing Service which is designed to support older adults (50+) who are currently inactive to find physical activity that suits their needs. With the support of one of our Physical Activity Advisors, an individual accessing the service will be able to discuss their motivations to get active, and overcome any barriers, issues or concerns they might have. They will be signposted to physical activity opportunities available either in their local community or online which have been checked by our team to ensure they are safe and appropriate. These include activities such as health walks, gentle exercise classes, falls prevention, swimming and even adapted sports. The Active Wellbeing Service is currently available within select areas of Suffolk (please check our website for details). 

ActivLives is a local charity that has been working in Suffolk for 17 years helping to motivate, empower and support people to make positive changes to their lifestyle, improving their own physical and mental health & well- being, reducing loneliness and social isolation.

• ActivHubs is a programme to improve the health and well-being of people who live in and around Ipswich with a specific focus on activities for older adults 55 years and over. The Elderflower Hub supports Carers & cared for; ActivFriends supports people living with Dementia and their Carers, plus we have a Men’s Breakfast Hub, a weekly Lunch Club and an ActivHeart’s Ladies Hub. These sessions are held Tuesday to Friday.
• Falls Prevention Programme – Step by Step – OTAGO falls prevention sessions are held all over Ipswich, East Suffolk & Mid-Suffolk. The sessions include seated / standing exercise, which helps to build strength, co-ordination and balance. We also run seated exercise sessions and seated dance sessions in Ipswich and East Suffolk.
• ActivGardens – Provides opportunities for volunteering and learning at our two Community Gardens in Ipswich, The People’s Community Garden at Maidenhall and Chantry Walled Garden in Chantry Park, we also have a team of volunteers who help maintain Belle Vue Park in Sudbury. The Gardens support people aged 18 years, with mental health, disability and Learning Disability & Autism and enables people to gain new skills in nature, growing, the environment, conservation and woodwork and access to a variety of courses. ActivShed’s provides woodworking activities for men / women and supported sessions for people with a disability, Learning Disability / Autism and on-set Dementia etc. You can also volunteer with the Bee Team and learn about Bee Keeping.
• ActivSingers - Two community singing groups meet in Ipswich and Woodbridge every other week. Singing a variety of songs and performing at ActivLives AGM and fundraising events. For people who like singing in a group.
• ActivSport is a community sport’s activity programme, which provides inclusive sport opportunities for older adults, people with a disability, younger adults with an intellectual disability and people with a long-term health condition. Activities offered include: Health Walks, Walking Football, New Age Kurling, Boccia, Inclusive Badminton, Bowls indoors / outside, Ping Pong, Short Tennis and seated Yoga. 

Alumah offers a place of safety, in which domestic abuse victims can rediscover their self-worth and be empowered to find a life much better than living with abuse, a life that they can dream about and take steps to begin to achieve. We do this by offering groups and courses to empower and educate each person, working with other agencies to offer a more holistic approach, so each person receives the help they need.  There are 3 age streams: 7–11-year-olds, 12–24-year-olds and 18+ adults.  We take our groups and courses to various nearby towns to help those who don’t have access to their own transport. 

Alzheimers Society Dementia Support East & West Suffolk (excluding Waveney), provided by Alzheimer’s Society in partnership with Suffolk Family Carers, is a personalised dementia support service for anyone with dementia, their carers, families, friends, or anyone concerned about their memory. The service is free, easy to access, Our Dementia Advisers provide information, practical and emotional support, and help the individual to navigate health and social care in order to live well with dementia. Referrals are received by our telephone service for initial triage and caseload management. Based on individual need, service users will then be offered either: telephone-based information provision and signposting, a home visit and Dementia Support Plan from our community Dementia Advisers, a Carer Assessment or Emergency Plan from our Family Carer Advisers, our online self-management resources, including regular Keeping in Touch calls. Telephone support is available between 9am – 8pm Monday to Wednesday, 9am – 5pm Thursday to Friday, and 10am – 4pm weekends. Local Community support will be available 9am – 5pm weekdays. 

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 

Apprenticeships Suffolk is an impartial and completely free service at Suffolk County Council as part of the strategic aim to increase the quality and quantity of apprenticeships within the county, thereby supporting business and economic growth. The team identify apprenticeship opportunities, provide employer focused advice and guidance, and actively promote Apprenticeship opportunities to support employment in Suffolk. We work with aspiring apprentices who are ready to take their next step and explore the apprenticeship route whilst supporting both the employer and apprentice throughout their journey.

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. 

Barton Mills Good Neighbour Scheme provides social and practical support, such as befriending and collecting shopping or prescriptions, to the residents of Barton Mills in West Suffolk. Throughout the winter months, as a result of rising energy, fuel and food prices we are currently operating a "Warm Refuge" whereby we provide a warm environment in the local Church Room on two days per week for six hours per day, complete with hot drinks and soup for villagers in need. 

Bramacare is a specialist care provider for adults with eating disorders who require support with nutrition, mealtimes, and daily living. Bramacare provides rehabilitative residential and nursing care at The White House in north-Ipswich, as well as supportive day care activities in Ipswich town centre where adults can explore their difficulties and gain control over their eating disorder in a safe space. The team at Bramacare offer medical, mental health and social care expertise with tailored care for every individual, helping patients to manage their eating disorder and make steps towards recovery. 

Brantham Good Neighbour Scheme has been one of the first schemes launched in Suffolk some ten years ago now, we offer our services throughout the Brantham Village and sometimes to adjoining villages such as East Bergholt and cross the border to Lawford and Manningtree. Like many GN schemes we offer services such as lifts to Hospitals, Clinics GP Surgeries, shopping, befriending and make safe small jobs around the home to residents within our catchment area. We run a monthly good neighbour coffee morning at our local leisure centre whereby local residents both young and old get together and chat about everyday occurrences around the village. 

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. 

Christian Action against Poverty and Debt Felixstowe 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.

Christies Care has over 30 years of experience providing high-quality, personalised live-in and visiting home care, so our clients can continue to live safely and happily in their own homes. Every one of our expert carers undertakes our award-winning training programme, so they can provide the best person-centred care possible. Twice rated Outstanding by CQC we give you the carers you need to help you be as independent as possible, for as long as possible.

** Please note that Citizens Advice Ipswich are no longer accepting Warm Handover referrals. Please only send referrals to other Citizens Advice locations for residents in their own localities as they are not able to receive referrals for Ipswich residents **

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

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. Our overall aim is to reduce social isolation and loneliness, which we address through a number of different initiatives and services. Unless specified, services are for people aged 18+.

• Community Connect telephone service -  365 days per year from 10:00am to 2:00pm where our staff will speak to callers and offer advice, signposting or just a friendly listening ear (with a real person to chat to!)
• BeAFriend is a friendship service which seeks to match those in need of befriending with a volunteer befriender either by telephone or in person (and in some cases digitally or penpal)
• CommuniTEA Chinwags – social friendships groups, held monthly in locations across the county, for people aged 60+. An opportunity for local people to come together, chat and enjoy some refreshments together in a supportive environment with entertainment, games & activities.  Includes signposting available to other support services
• You’re Welcome – social friendship groups, with a focus on supporting health & wellbeing through Our Community Engagement team provide a range of ‘Chinwags’ or ‘You’re regular meeting up, friendship, chat, games & refreshments.  For anyone aged 18+.  These have varied frequency from weekly to monthly, depending on the location.
• Community Transport service - can provide a cost effective, friendly, ,and flexible bookable transport service across Ipswich & Mid Suffolk.
• Digital Support - CommuniTea Digital Workshops offer a monthly opportunity for people to join in a friendly supportive group where our Digital Champion volunteers will support and guide people in how to use their phone/laptop/ipad more effectively or with greater confidence. Access to free sim/mobile via the National Data Bank for people who need internet connectivity. By equipping people with data, it allows them to feel more informed, connected, and confident. For those people who are at the beginning of their digital journey and have no device we can give them access to a six-week tablet course, where they get to keep the device at the end of the course. Through referral and based on an individual needs/circumstance we have access to refurbished laptops that can be donated to them.
• All of our services can only operate with the help of our volunteers and we provide a friendly, welcoming and thorough recruitment, onboarding and ongoing support service to all of our volunteers in a variety of roles. Community Connect – 01284 334516; General Enquiries – 01449 707030; Community Transport – 01449 614271 

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. 

Community Catalysts is a social enterprise working across the UK, to try to make sure that older people who need care and support to live their lives, can get that help in ways, times and places that suit them, with real choice of attractive local options. Many people have fabulous skills and ideas and want to use them to work for themselves to help older people but are unsure where to start. Community Catalysts in Suffolk run a free development programme designed to help local people to set up small enterprises, working for themselves, to provide a personalised and flexible service. We offer advice and support to shape initial ideas into a safe and sustainable business. We also support existing micro enterprises who wish to diversify or who require some advice. We help enterprise leaders to work together in peer networks, supporting and learning from each other. 

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

Connect for Health East Suffolk Connect for Health is a free confidential service available to everyone over the age of 18 years. It is a social prescribing support programme. Social prescribing recognises the wider determinants of health, such as loneliness, social isolation, 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. 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). If you are making a referral to us please include the person’s GP surgery details or NHS number if possible.

Connect for Health Ipswich Connect for Health is a free confidential service available to everyone over the age of 18 years. It is a social prescribing support programme. Social prescribing recognises the wider determinants of health, such as loneliness, social isolation, 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. Citizens Advice Ipswich delivers Connect for Health in the following areas: Ipswich East and Ipswich West. If you are making a referral to us please include the person’s GP surgery details or NHS number if possible.

Creative Mojo (Norwich, Waveney, and District). We provide arts and crafts workshops in care homes, dementia cafes, the community and in private homes, to adults with learning disabilities, the elderly and specialising in dementia. Our sessions are fun, inclusive and aim to bring joy. We use bespoke shapes, that help individuals who may have lost their previous confidence in being creative to join in and regain their confidence to feel able to express themselves once again. We work with large groups and on a one to one basis giving a more bespoke experience.

Cutlers Hill Surgery are a GP surgery that covers Halesworth and surrounding villages. We are able to support patients that are registered with our surgery with General health, Mental health and Social and Emotional health. This includes signposting to local services that can support them more in depth or make referrals to hospitals and other care services. 

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. 

Dora Brown is a large team of ‘sturdy girl’ volunteers who transform homes + lives, free of charge, for families in need; homes which have broken down from domestic neglect, furniture poverty + hygiene poverty. We make-over homes with clearance, deep cleaning, organising, room layouts + self-care systems like bathing, laundry + cleaning. We provide donations of furniture, necessities + long term support we maintain the home where needed. 

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 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.

ESNEFT Cancer Care Navigators help you to get the right help and support for your non-medical needs. We offer practical support and advice, which might include: Helping improve health and wellbeing; Pointing towards relevant cancer support groups and courses; Referrals for emotional support where needed, and identifying who may be best placed for support; Advising on how to talk to family and friends about cancer; Access to services and support in your local area; Access to practical support; Support with the transition back to daily life, as your care moves from hospital back to your home or to the community 

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. 

Families Together Suffolk: We are a local charity that is focussed on ensuring that families in Suffolk have access to the networks, knowledge and skills that provide a strong foundation for their children’s' future, and we have been doing this for almost 40 years. We offer practical and emotional support through home visiting, family groups, specialist support groups (i.e., SEND and PMH) and workshops to families from all walks of life.  Our services and projects are dedicated to making a positive difference to the lives of children, families, and communities throughout Suffolk, and are all free of charge.  Families may need support for various reasons, such as isolation, bereavement, multiple births, illness, disability or who are simply finding parenting a struggle. 

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. 

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 Emergency Alarm Response Service (HEARS) is a home alarm service providing emergency response service in Ipswich and the surrounding areas and monitoring only services further afield within Suffolk.

Home First - Helping you stay independent. Home First provides reablement support on behalf of Suffolk County Council. Home First will work with you to create a support plan to help you live at home. The plan will include goals that have been agreed with you. Help is short-term and focused for only the period that is needed to reach your goals. Most people meet their goals between two and four weeks. You'll get help with daily tasks (for example cooking and bathing) and with doing more things yourself. This support is free (subject to assessment if it then carries on long-term), and aims to: prevent hospital trips that are not needed; help people in their home after a hospital stay; avoid people from moving into a care home before it's needed

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 opportunity 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 provided by Suffolk County Council in partnership with local Districts and Boroughs. The purpose of the service is to support you to live safely, comfortably, and independently in your own home as long as possible. How it works: You can call us on 0800 121 7711 or email ILS@suffolk.gov.uk and a member of our team will be able to explain the process and take the necessary information needed for a referral to be made. What we are unable to assist with: Assessments in Council Properties; Galvanised Rails; Assessments for equipment & mobility; OT assessments for children. What help is available? Our services include Occupational Therapy assessments for major adaptations such as wet rooms & stairlifts (excluding Council properties); Preparation of plans & recommendations for the District and Borough Councils to assist in applying for grant funding; we can assess, supply and fit grab rails for adults and children in owner occupied and privately rented properties. 

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. 

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.  

IpswichFit provides support and advice from an exercise referral specialist along with offering a range of physical activities at our sports centres and swimming pools. Offering opportunities in specific referral schemes, individual programmes and group activity to make a positive impact upon peoples lives and tackle inactivity.

LifeLink, West Suffolk - Social Prescribing is a social prescribing service that connects people to voluntary sector activities, support groups and community resources to promote health, well-being and independence. A social prescriber will help people to take control of their own health and wellbeing, supporting people to connect with sources of support in their communities if they are feeling, lonely, anxious, isolated, struggling to manage a long term condition or need lifestyle advice and practical support. We give people time, focus on what matters to them and take a holistic approach to their health and wellbeing. 

Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity supports construction workers in need with financial, emotional and physical support. We also provide FREE online interactive training sessions on Building Resilience, Managing Stress, Work Life Balance, Mental Health Awareness and many more. Our support is FREE to anyone working in construction, available 24/7 and completely confidential. 

Livability - Icanho provides a comprehensive, community based rehabilitation service for people aged 18 or over with acquired brain injury (including traumatic brain injury and stroke). We offer interdisciplinary assessment, treatment and advice, through our highly specialist and experienced clinical team. Our service includes Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Clinical Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy, Vocational rehabilitation, Social Work, and rehabilitation medicine consultancy. We work as an interdisciplinary team, to provide integrated rehabilitation, which focuses on the individual's own hopes and goals. Generic Rehabilitation Assistants support therapy programmes. All our programmes are customised to individual needs, recognising the complexity of brain injury and the devastation it can cause to individuals and their families.This service accepts referrals funded through our statutory contract. The information we would require for this criteria is:

Primary diagnosis of an acquired non progressive brain injury; Aged 18 and over; Registered with a Suffolk GP  (please provide details);Time frame for acceptance of referral is up to 1 year from point of discharge from acute care. If over a year a referral can be made via the GP for a IFR ( Individual funding request).

Neuro physiotherapy Programmes Private funding referrals are welcome.  Following an assessment a personalised treatment programme will be designed to improve functional outcomes, increase independence and improve quality of life.  

6 Month Stroke Review is for all adults 18 and over, who are registered with a GP, who have had a diagnosis of stroke. Most people will be automatically contacted by their local NHS commissioned provider for an appointment between 4-8 months after a stroke. The review allows time to discuss their medical, social and emotional needs and provide them with helpful information and signposting/onward referral if further treatment or support is required. You can refer anyone that has not had a review in this timeframe.

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. 

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.

Memories are Golden specialises in offering day care services to individuals living with dementia and suffering from heart conditions, diabetes, and other long-term physical challenges. We also support people in their journey towards combating loneliness and isolation from families, friends, and their community. Our Community Hub provides a safe space to socialise and build friendships, as well as providing meaningful activities, entertainment, and social events, to improve well-being. We also provide a 2 course nutritious meal every day. We operate with 3 carers, 1 Manager, 1 grants officer, 1 cook. We are so fortunate to have 5 amazing volunteers that attend each week and are so important to our charity. We are accredited with Suffolk County Council who can commission service users to attend the hub if their finances are below threshold. 

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. 

Multiply Suffolk is a 3-year Suffolk County Council led project to deliver bespoke coaching, training, and mentoring to support adults 19 years+ living within Suffolk into learning and employment across Suffolk. Multiply Suffolk will provide opportunities to improve knowledge, understanding and use of numeracy in daily life: at home, in learning and in work. 

  National Landscapes for All Wellbeing in Nature Walks are the Suffolk & Essex Coast and Heaths and Dedham Vale National Landscapes for All monthly Wellbeing Walks.The Wellbeing in Nature Walks aim to support people to improve their mental health and wellbeing by connecting with these beautiful natural landscapes protected for nature. Walking is much more than just exercise, it is a chance to unwind, meet new people, discover, and connect with the beauty of our National Landscapes. Everyone is welcome on the Landscapes for All Wellbeing in Nature Walks. Wellbeing in Nature Walk groups are small (max group size of 10 people) and inclusive and can link participants with further volunteering opportunities and activities organised by the National Landscape team. Our Wellbeing in Nature Walks are led by an experienced member of National Landscapes team so there is no need to plan your route. National Landscape staff have enhanced DBS certificates and have undertaken safeguarding and First Aid training. Minibus pickup points are available from the Ipswich area for those that cannot travel independently. Wellbeing in Nature Walks are delivered in both Suffolk & Essex Coast and Heaths, and Dedham Vale National Landscapes if participants would like to join more sessions. Referrals to the Wellbeing in Nature Walks are welcome and to find out more information visit our websites: www.coastandheaths-NL.org.uk and www.dedhamvale-NL.org.uk or call  01394 445225

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. 

Noise Solution delivers 1:1 music mentoring programmes that fuse digital youth work, Self Determination Theory, cloud technologies and music technology mentoring. We have been independently proven to consistently improve well-being among young people a facing a variety challenging circumstances and barriers. Barriers like: School refusal; Disruptive behaviours; Lack of motivation or self-esteem; Unwillingness/inability to engage; Anxiety or depression; Neuro diverse challenges; Looked after children struggling to thrive; Students at risk of exclusion; Re-engagement with school or mental health professionals.

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 

Old Felixstowe Parish Nursing A volunteer parish nurse working 5hrs a week as a pioneering project in Old Felixstowe, Suffolk. Free service offered to anyone living in Old Felixstowe or having links with Old Felixstowe Parish churches. We offer health promotion and screening, health education, support to carers, referral, and signposting to other agencies, making sense of medical information, prayer support and the opportunity to discuss spiritual needs, and working with those with long-term conditions. 

Orford Good Neighbour Scheme: Located on a peninsula, Orford is several miles away from a town. This has shaped the services we provide to our community which are: Friendship and companionship, Collection of medication, Shopping, Dog walking / feeding pets, Form filling and help with technology, One-off garden tidy, Minor household repairs, A healthy meal, Transport to hospital and GP appointments, Provision of a personal care alarm and key safe, A Community Larder located in the entrance to the Kings Head car park, Weekly trip to Woodbridge (£2 charge), Support for anyone who is impacted by a scam. Orford Warm Rooms:  Mondays at Orford Sports & Recreation Club 1-3pm; Fridays at Bart’s Hall 11am-4pm. Other activities as requested and agreed 

Orwell Housing Association was formed in 1963 in Ipswich, employing no staff and managing only a handful of properties. Today, Orwell provides a range of services including housing, support, and care services. We employ around 700 staff including relief and volunteers whilst managing approximately 4,000 homes for 7500+ residents.  People are at the heart of our business. By recognising people’s diverse needs and strengths and treating everyone fairly we can both serve our customers better and support our teams to run a brilliant business and improve services.  We are ambitious to grow the organisation so that it can do more and realise the full potential of Orwell, our employees, and those we support and house.  We will work in partnership and search out best practice.  We will collaborate with tenants, customers and colleagues and like-minded organisations to develop solutions together.  We will be economic and embed efficiency across our services ensuring we lead the way with our knowledge and expertise.  We will ensure that our teams are committed and competent to be the best at what they do in order that they can provide the highest possible standards of service. Orwell’s vision is to make a positive difference to the quality of life and future opportunities of our customers, employees, and communities. 

Our Special Friends (OSF) is a 'one welfare' human-animal bond charity providing a range of animal companionship support services, to enhance the health and welfare of people and animals in need and at risk: working collaboratively with other service providers in the local community. We promote, preserve and provide the power of animal companionship. We want to help people to enjoy the companionship of animals without the worry, especially when people are elderly, vulnerable, feeling lonely or making difficult decisions. Our volunteers are in the West Suffolk area, but our Animal Companionship Practitioners can give advice and guidance which are not restricted by geography.  

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. 

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. 

Rural Coffee Caravan address the causes and symptoms of rural isolation and loneliness throughout Suffolk by visiting rural locations with our pop up cafes, and holding events that act as a catalyst for people to talk with one another in a friendly and non-threatening atmosphere, fostering community spirit and providing access to services to individuals and communities, helping them to maintain a good quality of life.

Safe Suffolk Renters is a two year Suffolk-wide project funded by Department of Levelling up, Housing and Communities and delivered by the 5 councils of Suffolk. Our aim is to support the Private Rented Sector through landlord and tenant engagement and advocacy. We offer support and signposting services to landlords and tenants around rights and responsibilities, energy efficiency grants and maintaining healthy and safer homes. 

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 

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 Elizabeth Hospice improves life for people in East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney living with a progressive or life-limiting illness. Our work is centred on an individual's needs, which means specialist support, whenever and wherever it is needed, whether at home, in the community or at the hospice. Through medicine and therapy we ease pain; we give life purpose and make life liveable. 

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 Communication Aids Resource Centre (SCARC) is a countywide assessment, support, training and advice service for children and young people up to age25 to consider use of a Voice Output Communication Aid (VOCA). We operate an equipment loan bank for short and long-term loans of communication aids, including responsibility for maintenance and repairs. We additionally provide specialist Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) advice for our Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) colleagues and other settings supporting students with communication difficulties.

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 Constabulary: Suffolk Restorative Justice Hub assess and facilitate safe communication between a person harmed by crime/conflict and the person responsible, as well as raising awareness of Restorative Justice within Suffolk and Norfolk Constabularies and with partner agencies. Restorative Justice is voluntary for those involved; empowering those impacted to have their voices heard and ask questions – providing a holistic addition to the criminal justice service in order to help them to cope and recover and helping people who commit crime to understand the impact. No crime type is excluded, as suitability is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

SCC – Active Travel Social Prescribing Team is a 3-year Active Travel Social Prescribing Pilot, funded by Department for Transport and Active Travel England. The project aims to support adults that suffer from long term physical and mental health conditions or social isolation. Referrals are welcomed from voluntary organisations, social prescribers, and GP’s. Individuals can also self-refer. We welcome referrals from multicultural groups and those with disabilities and can organise translation, support and accessible arrangements as required. We offer free walking and cycling groups at the introductory, moderate and competent activity level to individuals residing in Ipswich and Lowestoft. The introductory groups begin at a 0.5 mile walk or a 2-mile cycle ride which can be assisted using an electric bike. 1-1 buddy walking or cycling and journey planning is available for individuals and families. Bike maintenance and cycling courses are on offer with access to walking aids, bikes, electric bikes, and other accessible equipment. The activities are led by qualified and experienced leaders employed and approved by Suffolk County Council. 

Suffolk Falls Service Our community therapists assess mobility, transfers and your ability to perform the activities of daily living. 

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 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 run weekly wellbeing groups in Ipswich: Wellbeing Workshops covering topics such as stress management, anxiety awareness, communication skills and resilience building; & 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.  

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 Bridge Project is a unique, creative social enterprise. Being food-focused, we enable those living in Sudbury and surrounding areas to live well. The Bridge Project was set up in 1995 as a local charity, to assist disadvantaged adults within the community. To this day, we are dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing environment to support those living with dementia, learning disabilities and those experiencing mental health issues. Through our meaningful work, we create opportunities for personal development and building friendships. Our ethos is to work together and bring people together. As a result, our Shop Create in the town centre of Sudbury is a hub of creativity and inclusivity – open to all. Our talented kitchen team produce fresh, delicious snacks, lunches and afternoon teas using locally sourced, Suffolk ingredients. The Bridge Project provides and maintains a series of social activities, a hot meal delivery service and creative workshops for all ages.  We also run support groups for those living with dementia and their carers are open to residents in Sudbury and the surrounding areas. 

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. 

'The Link' is a local information and listening service opening as a drop in on Haverhill High Street. It's role is to link up individuals to suitable activities, services and organisations in the local area. There are also volunteer listeners for those who wish to stay and chat. The Link is supported by the Salvation Army in Haverhill. 

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. 

Virtual Ward - The Voluntary Network are working with the West Suffolk Hospital Virtual Ward team on a kit collection pilot. At the end of the patients time in the Virtual Ward, a request will be sent via the Warm Handover to the Voluntary Network transport team to collect the equipment and bring back to the hospital for re-use. 

Unity Healthcare are a GP Surgery based in Haverhill. We provide general practice medical services to the local population of Haverhill and surrounding villages.

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. 

Walking With The Wounded ‘WWTW’ is a leading military charity which recognises that those who served, deserve. Whether mentally wounded, socially wounded or physically wounded, they deserve the care, support and means they and their families need to function in society, serving in the communities in which they live, reigniting their sense of purpose and making a positive contribution again. Walking With The Wounded gets those who’ve served – and their families - back on their feet. We do four things: employment, mental health, care coordination and volunteering which are saving jobs, homes, relationships and lives for the veterans who are struggling since leaving the military. Whether you served or wish to support, find out more at www.wwtw.org.uk. 

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. 

West Suffolk Hospital providing hospital and community services to people who live in west Suffolk

The WHAT is the Woodbridge Holistic Assessment Team that is made up of a Physiotherapist, Pharmacist, Community Nurse, Social Prescriber, Podiatrist, Psychologist. It is a service for people who have experienced a first fall or who are fearful of falling. Each professional will provide a half hour consultation to explore factors that may be implicated with falls such as medication, poor foot care, social isolation. You will be given advice or an onward referral, based on your needs identified.

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