Pride in Place fund recipients announced for Ipswich

Why it matters: The funding will pay for repairs, refurbishments and accessibility improvements to buildings used every day by residents, from community centres and youth facilities to cultural, heritage and faith spaces.

The details: Alongside smaller grants to churches, nurseries and community clubs across the town, the largest awards include:

• £233,000 for Murrayside Community Centre, to install new flooring in the sports hall, upgrade heating and lighting, and install solar panels
• £150,000 for Eastern Angles Theatre Company, to replace theatre seating, upgrade lighting, replace the theatre floor and install secondary glazing
• £72,450 for Suffolk Mind, to refurbish its building at 2–6 Arcade Street and bring it back into use as a mental health and wellbeing hub
• £65,851 for YMCA Trinity, to restore its sports hall, which has fallen into disrepair, creating more opportunities for young people and the wider community to take part in sport and physical activity
• 1st Ipswich Scout Group (£82,000)
• The Sangat Sikh Community Association (£122,332.06)
• Inspire Suffolk (£51,313.91)

What they're saying: Councillor Neil MacDonald, leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said: "This central government funding will make a real difference to community organisations across Ipswich that work tirelessly to support local people. The overwhelming response to the fund shows just how much passion, commitment and ambition exists within our communities."

He added: "By investing in the buildings and spaces that bring people together, we are helping organisations continue and expand their valuable work while creating places that residents can be proud of."

Councillor George Lankester, portfolio holder for communities, said: "The Pride in Place Impact Fund is about strengthening communities by improving the places where people learn, socialise, seek support and take part in activities that improve their wellbeing.

"We're delighted to support such a wide range of projects across Ipswich and look forward to seeing the positive impact these improvements will have for local residents."

Jack Abbott MP, member of Parliament for Ipswich, said: "I was delighted to secure £1.5 million for Ipswich as part of the Pride in Place Impact Fund. Thanks to this Government funding, 25 community organisations, charities and local groups will be able to refurbish, improve and enhance buildings and facilities used every single day by local residents.

"This investment will make an enormous difference, supporting the organisations that make our town such a great place to live and making sure they can continue their incredible work for years to come."

Patrick Spencer MP, member of Parliament for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, said: "I'm delighted to see this investment being directed towards community organisations across North Ipswich. These projects will help improve the buildings and facilities that local residents, especially young people, rely on every day, creating stronger, healthier communities and ensuring everyone has access to high-quality spaces."

The bigger picture: The Pride in Place Impact Fund is separate from the Government's 10-year Pride in Place Programme, through which Ipswich has already secured £40m of long-term investment for the Whitehouse and Stoke Park & Chantry neighbourhoods. That programme will support transformational projects and community-led improvements in those areas over the coming decade, while the Impact Fund focuses on immediate capital investment in community assets across the town.

The bottom line: From Scout huts to theatres, 25 Ipswich organisations are set to benefit from capital investment aimed at creating welcoming, accessible spaces that meet local needs for years to come.

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