Ipswich charity ActivLives marks 20 years of support

Why it matters: ActivLives now runs 46 weekly sessions across Suffolk, supporting some of the county's most vulnerable and marginalised people, including those living with dementia, Parkinson's and stroke, alongside their carers.

The details: The Mayor of Ipswich, Cllr Pat Bruce-Browne, joined members, volunteers, staff and supporters at the charity's Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at Kesgrave Community Centre.

Chief executive Julie Stokes told the AGM the charity supports people aged 18 and over, as well as those aged 50 and over living with long-term health conditions, mental health needs, neurodivergent conditions and addictions.

"ActivLives has 46 weekly sessions, alongside a range of amazing projects and services supporting some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people aged 18+, as well as people aged 50 and over living with long-term health conditions, mental health needs, neurodivergent conditions and addictions. We also support people living with dementia, Parkinson's and stroke, together with their amazing carers," she said.

What they're saying: A member of the charity's Men's Hub in Ipswich, one of ActivLives' specialist hubs, described the impact of attending regular sessions.

"The Men's Hub helps me get up in the morning. It is a gathering of men which is quite rare where we can give our thoughts and impressions and views on various subjects and interests…it helps people to get back on track and motivates people to improve their lifestyle and get active rather than just stagnating at home," he said.

For context: ActivLives began two decades ago as the Town & Bridge Project, a two-year funded Local Strategic Partnership scheme led by Dr Brian Keeble, director of Ipswich Public Health. It aimed to support people aged 45 to 74 living in Ipswich town centre and the Stoke (Bridge) area to improve their physical and mental wellbeing and bring communities together through neighbourhood projects.

The project was extended for a further two years, during which several of its major initiatives began, including the People's Community Garden, the Fit as a Fiddle exercise programme, community singing group Keep on Rockin', and two lunch clubs at St Mary at Stoke Church and the Ipswich International Church.

In July 2012, the Town and Bridge Project became a charity in its own right, taking the name ActivLives to continue providing healthy lifestyle programmes across Suffolk. It now provides opportunities for more than 1,000 people a year to connect with others, become more active, learn new skills, gain employment and volunteer.

What's next: To mark its 20th year, ActivLives has launched a new free course, Wild About Nature, aimed at adults aged 16 and over. It will run at the People's Community Garden, Maidenhall Allotments, Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE, on Mondays 5, 12, 19 and 26 October, from 10:00 to 12:00.

Over the four weekly sessions, participants will learn about nature, take part in practical activities and find out what they can do to help the environment.

Anyone wishing to join can contact project officer Phoebe Hyett at phoebe@activlives.org.uk, on 07756 533424, or via the ActivLives office on 01473 345350.

The bottom line: From a two-year pilot scheme to a charity now reaching more than 1,000 people a year, ActivLives marks 20 years of work supporting some of Suffolk's most vulnerable residents, with a new nature course offering the latest way to get involved.

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