Community lifeline boosted by new home

Service manager Michelle Frost and volunteers Danielle Duffy and Victoria Stewart are preparing for a busy run up to Christmas

Charity volunteers say their new home has helped them offer many more services to vulnerable people, especially in the run up to Christmas.

The IP17 Good Neighbour Scheme in Saxmundham, Suffolk, was started in 2020 but moved to new premises at The Gannon Rooms in Station Approach earlier this year.

The charity, which focuses on tackling food poverty and loneliness, could now offer a wider range of group activities and support, including a warm room, festive events, a games afternoon - and an area for people to socialise.

In a statement, organisers said: "What started out as a response to the Covid pandemic, is now a vital lifeline to many in our community."

The charity's social supermarket scheme offers a mixture of fresh vegetables, canned and dried foods at subsidised prices

The charity also provides food and household essentials at subsidised prices to residents who are struggling to pay bills, through its Social Supermarket scheme, which opens on Tuesday mornings.

'Demand is increasing'

Christmas dinners, cooked on site, will also be delivered to about 80 people who find themselves on their own this year.

Michelle Frost, service manager at IP17 GNS, said: "We have a really good friendship with our service users and they know if they need anything they can come to us and we'll find out if there's a way we can support them.

"And since moving to the Gannon Rooms in April we can offer a lot more services whether that's a free hat or coat, some food because they're struggling - or a warm space.

"We also offer free sanitary products and nappies and a subsidised shop.

"Demand is definitely increasing, especially among pensioners who have lost their fuel allowance so donations are always appreciated.

"Our social supermarket is a way to help those facing food poverty stretch their budget further. It's not a food bank, although we do also offer emergency food supplies for those in crisis."

The charity has announced plans to start a men's breakfast club in the new year and the venue also hosts a children's and toddler group on Thursdays.