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# ActivLives boss wins award as charity marks successful year at AGM
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/activlives-boss-wins-award-as-charity-marks-successful-year-at-agm/
- Published: 2024-11-19T12:07:22.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:30:00.000Z
- Description: The CEO of Ipswich charity ActivLives has been named Activity Champion of the Year, as the organisation celebrates the dedication of its long-serving volunteers at its 11th annual general meeting.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Changemakers, Third Sector, #article, ActivLives, Elango Elavalakan, #Import 2026-03-16 14:46

**The big picture:** Julie Stokes was honoured at the Active Suffolk Awards 2024 for her decade-long leadership in promoting community wellbeing through inclusive sports and exercise programmes.

![Julie Stokes was honoured at the Active Suffolk Awards 2024](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1732017663-activlives_active-suffolk-awards-1.jpg)

Julie Stokes, CEO of Ipswich charity ActivLives, was named Activity Champion of the Year (ActivLives)

The charity's work spans multiple programmes:

- Community gardens and outreach projects
- Woodworking through ActivSheds
- Health walks
- Exercise classes
- Lunch clubs
- Community events

**Why it matters:** The celebrations highlight the growing impact of community health initiatives in Suffolk, particularly in supporting mental health and helping those with learning disabilities.

**By the numbers:**

- 117 people attended the AGM
- 3 volunteers honoured for over 10 years' service
- 16 years of service from one volunteer at St Mary at Stoke Lunch Club

**What they're saying:** "I've seen people's lives changed, as they grow, as they come and as they made friends. Our lunch club is very much like a family," said Anita Bimpson, who has volunteered at the St Mary at Stoke Lunch Club for 16 years.

"We have experienced change and challenge times, but I have an amazing team of caring, passionate, enthusiastic and experienced staff and a wonderful team of dedicated and loyal volunteers," said Stokes.

![The Mayor of Ipswich celebrated with 117 volunteers, members, staff, partners, and supporters for local charity ActivLives’ Annual General Meeting](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1732017695-activlives-agm-jpeg.jpg)

The Mayor of Ipswich celebrated with 117 volunteers, members, staff, partners, and supporters for local charity ActivLives’ Annual General Meeting (ActivLives)

**Success beyond leadership:** The charity's [BreatheFit programme](https://activlives.org.uk/activhubs/breathefit/?ref=ipswich.co.uk), which runs in Felixstowe and Ipswich, was also named runner-up for Innovative Project of the Year at the Active Suffolk Awards. The programme helps people with respiratory conditions improve their physical health through weekly sessions.

**What's next:** [ActivLives](https://activlives.org.uk/?ref=ipswich.co.uk) is seeking to develop existing partnerships and build new relationships with funders and supporters to expand its services across Suffolk.

**The bottom line:** As the charity celebrates both its leader's success and its volunteers' dedication, the charity demonstrates how local organisations can make a lasting difference in community health and wellbeing through inclusive programmes and committed volunteers.

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