Toasties, Lego and friends: Stoke Park youth cafe keeps growing
An after-school youth cafe at St Peter's Stoke Church in Ipswich has grown from just two members to more than 15 children, who come every Thursday for crafts, football, Lego and the volunteers' popular cheese toasties.
Why it matters: The cafe gives children a regular after-school space to play, make friends and try new activities, at a time when young people in parts of Ipswich say there are too few places for them to go.
The details: The cafe started with two members in September 2025. Each session includes:
- Crafts, games, Lego and football
- Cheese toasties, a highlight of the week, prepared by volunteers Jackie and Rose in the church's kitchen
- A quiet moment of reflection towards the end, when the children gather for prayers and to learn about God
What they're saying: Sue Bridges, Pioneer Children and Young People’s Worker, said: "We have children here aged nine to 12 from different schools, coming here from all over Ipswich.
"It started about a year ago and it has really grown since then.
"We have crafts and games, Lego and football – there's so much for them to do."
Nine-year-old Cassius said: "I only joined last week and I love it. It's very fun and I have learnt lots of new stuff."
Mia added: "I really like it and think it's really fun. You can do lots of fun things and the volunteers are all really kind."
Revd Emily Swinerd said: "The after-school youth cafe has been a big success and is growing every month."
Revd Emily Swinerd joins the children's craft activities at the youth cafe while Jackie and Rose rustle up some delicious cheese toasties. (Photo: Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich)
What's next: The children are raising money for a youth weekend in Bury St Edmunds in October.
Swinerd said: "We are planning on going on a trip, a youth weekend, in Bury St Edmunds in October and are currently doing some fundraising to pay for the trip.
"The children have been decorating pencil cases to sell, and this week are creating bracelets."
The bigger picture: The youth cafe is one of several regular activities at the church, which also hosts:
- Two services every Sunday morning
- A baby and toddler group on Tuesdays
- A top-up shop on Wednesdays
- A monthly messy church
Archdeacon of Ipswich, Revd Canon Samantha Brazier-Gibbs, said: "Across Suffolk we want our churches to be places where children and young people know they are welcomed, encouraged and able to thrive.
"The youth café at St Peter's Stoke is a wonderful example of this vision in action."
The youth cafe is open to children in school years five to nine and runs on Thursdays from 15:30 to 17:30 during term time.
The bottom line: A year after opening with two members, the youth cafe has become a weekly fixture for more than 15 children from across Ipswich, offering friendship, activities and cheese toasties.
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