Background
Christians in Ipswich held a conference in April 2021, “Ipswich I’m in”, to celebrate the many initiatives underway to support those in need in the town and to explore how to do more together.
There was a recognition of the need to become more strategic and more co-ordinated through developing mechanisms for:
•Dialogue with civic leaders and statutory agencies (an 'Engagement Vehicle')
•Enabling creative responses to identified gaps in provision / shared priorities (a 'Delivery Vehicle)
Among the many positive outcomes from the 'Ipswich I’m in' conference was an offer from Ipswich Borough Council to identify an officer as a key conduit into the council, highlighting the need for the Christian Community to reciprocate.
As a result, a group of Church and Christian charity leaders met together in November 2021 and agree to set up an ‘Engagement Vehicle” to be known as “Together for Ipswich”.