Photo by John Ferguson
ActivThoughts
Exciting summer months for everyone!
Welcome to the new look of ActivLives Newsletter and welcome to Jomel Gutierrez who is our new Marketing and Communications Officer As you can see ActivLives has been very busy over the last few months delivering our services, attending events and starting new programmes to support more people in Ipswich and East Suffolk
We hope you enjoy the new layout and reading what’s been happening with our members and volunteers or what is being planned over the summer months Let’s hope the sun continues to shine, so that we can enjoy some warmer weather, get out in the fresh air and improve our mental health and physical well-being.
This quarter we are putting some focus on ActivHives At the People’s Community Garden, we have an apiary and a bee garden where we work hard to provide habitat for a wide range of insects that pollinate your garden There are 250 species of Bee in the UK - 224 solitary species, 25 bumble bee species and one honey bee species
At ActivHives, on a Monday (except bank holidays), there is the opportunity to observe what it takes to manage our honey bee hives. There are a few ways to support ActivHives. You can sponsor a bee – for £5 you will receive an information booklet and a badge along with the knowledge your funds are helping maintain our bee colonies You can book to observe or experience us undertake our bee hive inspections For £5 we will secure you in a protected observatory area. For £10 we can lend you a beekeeping suit, and you can help us undertake the hive inspections During both the observation and experience sessions, as lead beekeeper, I will tell you as many fascinating facts about honey bees that I can remember Sessions are Mondays between 11:00 and 13:00 Yes, we do also sell the honey the bees produce
Our first honey of the season, made by bees foraging on our very own wildflower meadows, has been harvested! Come and get yours before it’s too late It’s £7 a jar, two jars only per person owing to limited supplies.
For further information, please contact Ian - ian@activlives org uk or text or call 07599 951 060
Ian Hirst ActivGardens Operations Officer
Julie Stokes ActivLives CEO
ActivGardens ActivGardens
Community cooks up a storm at launch of Grow Well Eat Well project
Damper bread with homemade chutney and pizza with salad are some of the delicious meals we have made in our new outdoor kitchen at the community garden as part of a fun project to encourage people to grow their own food, enjoy cooking and eat healthily
Project Officer Phoebe showed us how to make damper bread over the open fire at our Volunteer Skills Share session in April, while in June local families enjoyed making their own pizzas
Members of St Peter’s Church gathered in the Welcome Space to mix and knead the dough before leaving it to rise in the polytunnel – which was the perfect temperature! We collected delicious salad leaves from around the garden, together with herbs to top off our pizzas - non-express!
ASDA Community Champion Teresa Davidson, who has supported the project from the start, enjoyed visiting and speaking to volunteers and participants She said: “I really love this project – it’s so good it gives me goosebumps! It’s lovely to see children in the garden ”
Thanks to volunteer Tony who, assisted by others including Trevor and Lynne, has worked so hard to transform an unused area of the garden into a fun cooking space
Thanks also to the ASDA Foundation - which funded timber and equipment for the kitchen, together with a new cover for the polytunnel
Thanks also to our Grow Well Eat Well Project funders including Suffolk County Council Public Health and Communities, East of England Co-op Community Cares Fund and Suffolk Community Foundation
Use your loaf to work out how many ears go into bread!
We are growing a loaf of bread at the community garden! Do you know how many ears of corn go into making an average sized loaf of bread? Text 07599 951060 or email ian@activlives org uk with your name and age in time for our Harvest Lunch on Friday 13th September, when our winner will be announced
In your words
“I really like the social aspect of it, meeting and speaking to people is a big deal for me. At my worst I wasn’t leaving the house.
I like the physical aspect too - it helps with my sleep patterns. Getting stuck in and feeling you’ve achieved something is really good
It’s a relaxed environment, there’s no pressure For people with mental health issues, pressure is a thing. In the garden, if you make mistakes and things don’t come up, you try again That’s why I like gardening in general
I like it here because it’s a big space - you can take yourself off and do your own thing if you want If you’re lonely, you can have a chat and a laugh in a group
I’m now sharing an allotment with Terry and learning a lot off him I’ve got paid gardening work - I’ve carried over the skills and confidence I gained here ”
-Alex, volunteer, ActivGardens
New floristry project is a blooming success
Flower-arranging workshops have been a huge success both at our garden venues and at care homes around Suffolk as part of a new project for older people
Project Officer Gina is busy teaching people basic techniques to create beautiful displays as part of ActivBlooms - bringing older people together to learn something new in a social setting. “We have made a great start this year reaching different members of the community, delivering various flower workshops in Suffolk,” Gina said
Alex was recommended ActivGardens by Suffolk Mind He joined our Gardening In Mind programme, supporting positive mental wellbeing, before progressing to Grow Your Future – to build skills and confidence towards employment He is now not only a regular volunteer, but one of our Key Volunteers, stepping up to look after parts of the garden and mentor others
He is also volunteering for another outdoor-based programme and has started part-time work as a gardener Not only that, he’s so hooked on the benefits of fresh veg, he’s taken up an allotment plot
Suffolk Community Foundation funders were hugely impressed when they visited one of our first workshops at the CRESS Pavilion, attended by residents of Avocet Court Care Home and members of the community.
If you would like to attend a workshop or make a booking, please contact Gina - activblooms@gmail.com or at 01473 345350
Alex before becoming a volunteer participated n Garden ng in M nd
G na teach ng ActivBlooms part c pants during a flower workshop
Act vb ooms f ower arrangement workshop at the Chantry Wal ed Garden
Making p zza at the Peop e’s Community Gardens w th St Peter’s Church
Teresa from ASDA Foundat on v sits the gardens w th Ian, Act vGardens Operat ons Officer
Left photo: Vo unteers shar ng their ski ls to Act vGarden participants and a photo (r ght) for the number of ears of corn game
ActivGardens ActivHubs
Better Balance Sessions invite volunteers
Benches leave Sudbury volunteers smiling
Park benches have been reinstalled in Sudbury’s Belle Vue Park to encourage people to sit and enjoy the beautiful borders the team have worked so hard to maintain
The benches were removed following spates of vandalism, but now are back to enable our hardworking team to take a well-earned break, too
If you could spare some to time to help keep Belle Vue Park blooming – please contact Susannah on 07530 407302 or email susannah@activlives.org.uk
What’s Coming up at ActivGardens?
Gardening In Mind: Our final course starts Monday 22nd or Wednesday 24th June. Please get in touch if you’d like a place – drop in any time between 10am and 2pm to find out more
Grow Your Future: Our next course starts Tuesday 27th or Wednesday 28th August Open Day: Tuesday 23rd July and Wednesday 24th July – drop in 10am to 2pm
ActivLives CEO Julie Stokes was presented with a cheque and donations totalling £1,030.00 from Ipswich Wanderers Football Club The club has been raising funds for ActivLives over the last year with quiz and race nights, sponsored walk and raffles. ActivLives thanks everyone at the Club for fundraising for the Charity Meanwhile, Care Home Avocet Court in Ipswich conducted a series of activities to raise a total of £228 for ActivLives
Would you like to help older adults keep fit and active in the community? We are looking for volunteers to help with our Better Balance sessions in Martlesham and Felixstowe on Wednesday mornings for 2 hours on a weekly basis You’ll be needed to help set up, take registers and session money, plus to be on hand to help participants that might need a bit of extra help
This could be a great opportunity if you are retired, or looking to get back into work and would like to develop your skills or if you are a College/University student looking to gain experience working with older adults and have an interest in rehabilitation.
The work that volunteers provide is essential to everyday activities, giving them a sense of purpose, especially when giving their time and talent in the areas they find meaningful
Spaces available for Needham Market Better Balance Sessions
We still have available slots for you to join our Needham Market Better Balance Sessions. In the setting of Needham Market Bowls Club we have a morning and afternoon Better Balance sessions to improve your balance whilst having fun and making new friends
We have time after the sessions for tea/coffee and a chat which makes it a nice social opportunity See the flyer on the side for more information on how to register and participate.
People volunteer for different reasons, such as exploring careers, sharping skills, staying active during retirement, meeting new people and serving their communities
If you are interested and would like to find out more information about volunteering for our Better Balance sessions, please email jemma@activlives org uk or call the office on 01473 345350.
Photo by Lynda Weavers
Better Balance Kirton members moving and keeping steady w th instructor De
Keeping f t at our Better Balance Sess ons with nstructor Laura
Bet er Ba ance Needham Market participants n ful act ve mode
Stokes receives the cheque from the Ipswich Wanderers
Our Elderflowers have had a busy few months We have been waiting for the spring weather and have enjoyed activities with a spring in our step! We got creative making our Spring flower baskets and decorated the Cress Pavilion with our hand made Decoupage hanging eggs. We also took part in the National odd sock day (awareness for Down’s syndrome) and raised money for the Alzheimer’s Society with a cuppa and cake morning
We organised the Bowls tournament with David and Linda coming joint first who also celebrated their 50th Golden wedding anniversary this year Glynis is second place and our very own Ann Stannard finished with a bang in third place! We enjoyed St George’s Day and had a session dedicated to the 1960's The ElderFlower’s Hub which started on 12th September 2019 ends in June but our members will always remember the good times and memories they shared together with the food, chat and fun activities
Special Hubs Special Hubs
Remembering Eric
This year we lost a member of our Elderflower family, we really have felt the void without him there. Top photos are of our lovely Eric Baker who is very missed Thank you for being a part of our journey Eric, you will not be forgotten
ActivFriends – Fridays with a Difference… find out why Places are limited, so if you want to join in the fun, or
If you come along on a Friday, late morning, to Whitehouse Baptist Church Hall in Ipswich, the first thing you will hear is laughter, followed by the buzz of voices There is an energy in the room, and delicious aromas coming from the kitchen. Conversations going on all around the room, plenty of teas and coffees, plenty of sweet treats
Then something else catches your eye, gosh is that Elvis… no it’s the Everly Brothers, well it looks like them both anyway Hang on, what’s happening now, that looks really interesting as well, wow that music’s really catchy……
No, it’s not a film set or a movie, its ActivFriends, our weekly activity and lunch hub for older people So, if you are caring for a loved one who has dementia, or a physical health condition, or if you are feeling isolated at home, give us a call and both come along and visit us, you won’t regret it
DAY
Well it’s the start of the honey season and we had our local expert, “Barry the Bee Man” over to deliver a session on the “Life of a Honey Bee” which was absolutely fascinating and everyone was spellbound with the talk
Dr David Norman, a history researcher and a militaria collector gave a really enlightening session, with a copy of a letter connected to the Charge of The Light Brigade, a military jacket from early 1900’s and a Victorian Metal Dragoon soldiers helmet, complete with the horsehair plume. Lots of discussio ti d banter, a very enjoyable session
ActivFriends Open Day Friday 12th July 10.30 am –1.30 pm at Whitehouse Baptist Church Hall
ActivLives members, volunteers & staff enjoy Posh Club
It was full of fun, music, entertainment and dancing at the Posh Club which was organised by The SPILL Festival and Duckie. ActivLives members, volunteers and staff truly enjoyed the event with good food, drinks and conversations
D Day was our next session, with members bringing in a selection of books, gas masks, service records, medals and military equipment from the 40’s, we supplied a selection of newspapers printed in the day and local memorial issues, a very enjoyable morning.
So, if you are over 60 and feel like coming to a fun, lively, men’s breakfast group, in Ipswich, get in touch, spaces are limited though We can offer wonderful bacon sarnies, biscuits galore, teas, coffees and lots of chat If you want to join us call us on 01473 345350 and ask to speak to Alison Pearson
Special Update & Project
ActivLives supports carers
If you need someone to talk things through with as a carer, or if you used to be a carer and need advice, I can help Please do get in contact with me, Alison Pearson, on 01473 345350 or email me at alison@activlives.org.uk. Bees, Bacon, Battles and WW2
Creating Spring joy at Elderflowers Hub
Making memor es w th our Elderflowers since 12th September 2019
ActivSport ActivSport
A busy ‘sporting’ summer (and autumn), coming up
This summer promises to be a very busy one on the sporting front with plenty to excite anyone who has a sporting interest including, of course, the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris
For our part at ActivLives, most of our weekly ActivSport sessions take a break during August, although we do keep playing Lawn Bowls in Kesgrave, near Ipswich, throughout the summer months, and our Health Walk group continues to meet in Christchurch Park, Ipswich, twice monthly.
We also continue our work with partner organisations to provide inclusive sports opportunities for participants with a disability This summer we will be delivering inclusive sport activities with a variety of local providers including Avenues East, Indigo Opportunities, Leading Lives Stowmarket, LEAPS Suffolk and Ipswich Borough Council
The start of September sees the return of our weekly programme of inclusive sports and physical activities including Badminton, Boccia, New Age Kurling, Table Tennis, Short Tennis, Yoga, Short-Mat Bowls and Walking Football. This programme focusses on the Ipswich, Stowmarket and Felixstowe areas and is
open to adults of any age who would like to become a little more socially and physically active. We provide all of the equipment, and no ‘special’ sports kit is required
Our ActivSport programme consists of a number of sports and physical activity sessions which are targeted particularly at adults (of any age), who are not taking part in regular sport and/or physical activity All of our sessions are led by experienced facilitators/coaches, and are designed to be welcoming and easy to get involved with There are no membership fees and the first session is a free taster
If you would like to find out more about any of the inclusive sports and physical activities that we offer, please call on 01473 345350 or email mike@activlives.org.uk.
fever hits Stowmarket
The Second ActivLives Inclusive Boccia Tournament (for participants with a disability), is being held in Stowmarket on the 28th July, 10am-3pm This event is being delivered by ActivLives, in partnership with Special Olympics Suffolk and is being kindly supported by the Postcode Places Trust, Suffolk Community Foundation, Everyone Active and Special Olympics GB.
Last year this event had 47 competitors, we would love to get close to that number again this year. If you, or anyone that you know, would be interested in competing, or you would like to know more about playing boccia with ActivLives, please contact Mike on 07531 236442 or email mike@activlives.org.uk.
ActivLives holds successful Inclusive Badminton Tournament in Ipswich
The ActivLives Inclusive Badminton Tournament was held recently at Gainsborough Sports Centre in Ipswich. The event, delivered by ActivLives, in partnership with Special Olympics Suffolk, was a tremendous success
with 26 competitors from inclusive groups in Ipswich, Wimbledon and Southampton, taking part.
The format consisted of four divisions, where players competed in doubles and singles groups in a roundrobin format The day concluded with a team relay event, with all of the players involved There were some very close matches and divisions with one of the gold medals being decided by just a single point!
(Top Pictures: Players and volunteers in action during the Inclusive Badminton Tournament in Ipswich)
BreatheFit Sessions open in Felixstowe and Ipswich
BreatheFit Ipswich opened on 7th of June at the St Francis Church Hall, Hawthorn Drive, Chantry, IP2 0QQ. The sessions are every Friday afternoon from 1 30 to 3 00pm
Meanwhile, BreatheFit Felixstowe started on the 10th of June at the Grove Medical Centre, Grove Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 9GA The sessions are every Monday afternoon from 2 003.30pm. Sessions are for £5.
If you would like to know more on how to register, please send email to frazier@activlives org uk or chat with us at 01473 345350.
“Each time that we host one of these tournaments, the standard of play just keeps on rising”, said Mike McCarthy, ActivSport Development Officer “These inclusive events, which are targeted at athletes with an intellectual/learning disability, are very important for us. They are a great way to help showcase the sportsmanship, commitment and talent of all the athletes who take part”.
Many thanks to our brilliant team of volunteers and also to our supporting partners Special Olympics Suffolk, Special Olympics GB, Suffolk Community Foundation and Ipswich Borough Council
If you would like to find out more about getting involved with badminton for players with a learning disability, please call ActivLives on 01473 345350 or email mike@activlives org uk
Boccia
Participants enjoying the Act vLawn bowls game
Don t miss our Inclusive Boccia Tournament th s com ng July!
Fraz er leading our BreatheFit sess ons