TFI August Update
Keeping you informed and prayerful
As the summer weather continues so do the opportunities for blessing Ipswich practically and spiritually. May we all be alert to where we can be part of this happening, as well as taking time to recharge in this season if that is possible.
The TFI Steering Committee team is continuing its concerted effort to make greater connections between churches/charities/authorities, with a view to sharing expertise/learning/resources for specific ventures, praying across church/organisation boundaries and ultimately seeing action as the Body of Christ in this town.
Would you like to join in more? - simply email secretary@togetherforipswich.uk Do you know others who might want to know more? - then pass on this email to them and encourage them to subscribe to get them regularly.
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Do remember that TFI is still carrying on its listening season to sense God’s priorities. Please feel free to add to the growing feedback including from the Annual Celebration by emailing it to me via secretary@togetherforipswich.uk.
If you would like to have a TFI representative talk to your church or charity then please reply to me via secretary@togetherforipswich.uk and I will seek to make this happen – we need to increase the level of connection between different groups who are all seeking to follow Jesus.
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Missional Leaders lunch update
A new series is being planned for the Autumn with the first one as follows:
23rd September - St. Thomas' Church - 12noon start (do bring your own lunch).
Please do contact Simon Harris in the first instance for more details and to suggest ideas for future events. A WhatsApp group is being setup to keep people in touch so watch out for the link to join this soon!
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Following the success of TFI breakfasts last year we are organising another one!
This will be a relaxed opportunity to network and learn about how to connect better with other Christian churches and charities to bless Ipswich.
Experience of the benefits of connecting and working together will be shared. We hope this will include input from Irina, a special guest from Kyrgyzstan, who has extensive experience of helping churches work together to bless the wider community.
There will be time to share and network over the breakfast tables which can often be the most productive part of such events. Prayer will play a part too as we recognise our Father as the source of our power and united endeavours.
If you have never been to such an event before then take the risk and book in! We trust it will be a chance to make new inspiring connections and renew existing ones. Pass on the details using the flyer as above.
To reserve a place simply follow this Eventbrite link. There is no charge for this event but if you would like to donate towards expenses then please go to this TFI website link. If you have special dietary requirements then please email Jonathan at secretary@togetherforipswich.uk.
Reserve a space for September Networking Breakfast
This seeks to encourage the global Church to pray non-stop in every nation on earth during this same week! Please note the following:
National Day of Prayer for Schools - 9th September. CYM and Burlington church have teamed up to provide a space and focus for prayer for Schools in Ipswich. Please see this letter for all the relevant details.
Ipswich wide prayer breakfast - 12th September from 8.30-10am at the Ipswich 24/7 Prayer Room. See this link for more details and how to book in to this free event.
Another https://www.24-7prayer.com/weekofprayer/way you could be involved is to book your own slot in the Ipswich 24/7 Prayer Room via this link or the button below - and please, cut and paste to your friends.
Book a slot in the Ipswich 24/7 Prayer Room
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National Week of Prayer
Coming up 10-16th October!
Can you help by sending in details of prayer gatherings you are having that week which are open to all?
Simply email details to secretary@togetherforipswich.uk.
Key opportunities:
1. Short Term Mission opportunity
Alan Cutting writes - Are individuals in your church considering joining an overseas short-term mission team this year or next? Are you struggling to recruit and train up enough of the right people? How about pooling resources with other local churches, and turning it into a team from Ipswich, thus building up local as well as international networks? We have some interesting options for you to consider, for example, in Kyrgyzstan, Croatia, Romania and Kenya, all hosted by trusted partners and led by experienced Ipswich-based team leaders. Please make contact via info@togetherforipswich.uk for an informal chat to find out more.
2. Peacebuilding and ReconciliationAlan Cutting issues a challenge - With so much of the world in conflict, what are you doing to equip your colleagues and church members in how to be peacebuilders and reconcilers? We have access to some great resources and experienced local trainers who are ready and willing to help, in contexts such as church away weekends, team building days, evening courses etc. Again please make contact via info@togetherforipswich.uk for an informal chat to find out more.
3. The Wellbeing group for Ukrainians in Ipswich hosted by Bridge Communities and held at ‘On the Huh’ Cafe is well established, alongside other support groups such as the English Conversation Classes at Hope Church. Pray for their ongoing impact week by week.
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Key updates from churches and charities which are closely linked with TFI – for information, pray and appropriate action
1. Network Suffolk - check out this site for details of a wide range of Christian related events, some of which are located in Ipswich. You may even want to advertise one of your own events via this platform!
2. Do you want to setup/improve a family focussed Café church or a Community Choir?
Landseer Road Methodist Church are happy to share their experience on both these matters and have resources available for each. Please use this link to make contact with Neil or Elizabeth Hepplethwaite. This could be a yet another example of the Body of Christ working together better in Ipswich!
You may also want to check out the weekly Methodist "Bite Sized church" at link.
3. Family First items to take note of:
- they are holding a family fun day on afternoon of Monday 17th August. Please see this flier for more details.
- As we step further into 2026, we’re grateful to share that God is moving powerfully through the work of Family First. Already this year, 38 new families have been referred to us—far beyond our usual 4–6 per month. It’s a remarkable reminder that when God opens doors, He often does so wide.
We’re thankful, too, for His provision. Two recent grant awards now cover around half of our expected annual costs. Yet these grants were based on last year’s workload, and with referrals rising so sharply, we anticipate needing additional funding sooner than planned.
Alongside financial support, we are urgently seeking volunteers. The growing number of families means we need more hands, more hearts, and more people willing to walk alongside those who are struggling.
We would deeply value your prayers. And if you feel your church could partner with us—through giving, volunteering, or simply opening a conversation—please get in touch. I would love to speak with you about how we can serve these families together.
Sarah Stapleton (Service Lead)
Email: Sarah.Stapleton@familyfirst-uk.org
4. Potential to be involved in town centre prayer
The Ark Church is welcoming anyone who wants to work with them in a new initiative looking to offer prayer for people in Ipswich Town Centre. If this resonates with you then do contact Pastor Penny via arkipswichuk@gmail.com.
5. KICK looking for new workers for Ipswich area
KICK is a Christian Charity whose mission is to 'Transform young people's lives with God's love through Sport and Support'. They do this by going into schools and delivering Sports, Mentoring, Behaviour Support, Dance and Chaplaincy. Lindbergh Road Community Church know the value of their work as they have a KICK academy running.
At the moment, KICK are currently recruiting for the expansion of their work in the Ipswich area. This is paid work, in both full-time and part-time roles.
Please see this flyer with more information and take a look at their website for more information:
https://kick.org.uk/
6. Inspire Counselling and Training is looking for your help:
Inspire is currently accepting new clients for counselling and this news needs to be shared. Would it be possible to promote the attached advert in a newsletter you can input to?
They are also currently looking for volunteer receptionists – please see this flyer for relevant information.
7. Could you be a Volunteer Teacher at Oasis English Language School?
OASIS is looking for someone to join our lovely volunteer team from September! The ESOL classes run on Thursday mornings during term-time in Ipswich. You'll be teaching a small, friendly group of adult learners, helping them grow in confidence, improve their English, and feel more connected to the local community.
A teaching or TEFL qualification is preferred, but we can help support the right person with training if needed.
Oasis has strong links with local churches and a passion for welcoming people from all backgrounds.
If you'd like to find out more, we'd love to hear from you: www.oasisenglish.org.uk
8. Home For Good Friends - Home for Good Suffolk as a coordinator supports families who foster, adopt and kinship carers in Suffolk. It exists to provide support and connection and to promote the need for more foster carers and adopters in Suffolk. They are looking for new 'Friends of Home for Good'. This is a new venture but as funding is so difficult to keep gaining they felt this would help in ensuring that the work remains sustainable, meaning that families continue to have the support they deserve. Please see all relevant information in this document and do take a look at their newly produced video
for sharing in churches etc showing the impact of the work of Home For Good.
9. The Help Is Here website lists community support activities run by churches and Christian charities in the area. Help Is Here is part of Together For Ipswich. Please feel free to use the linked banner as the basis for a poster or email to your church or network of contacts so that you can:-
Start signposting people to Help is Here to see what relevant help is available.
List any community support initiatives you are leading which are open to the public.
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The latest Ipswich monthly prayer focus is available at this link – please use it as you find it helpful.
“Crown Him, Ipswich!” cross church prayer gathering - the next one is planned for the evening of 15th October (venue TBA) and please see the Events page for full details. This is taking place during the National Week of Prayer.
Each Tuesday morning there is a prayer time from 7.30-8.20am usually held in All Saints Church, Chevallier Street which is open for anyone who wants to intercede for Ipswich.
Items of interest from
around the town
- notified to TFI for wider publicity among its contacts
This TFI update email seeks to publicise matters which have a wider impact than an individual Church or Christian Charity, or where there is an invitation that is clearly wider than the church itself and open to a broader community.
Please pass this update on to others in your networks who should be aware of its contents.
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Activities to be aware of:
1. Take part in The National Conversation!
Churches from all traditions are invited to contribute to The National Conversation - sharing views on what it's really like living in our area right now. It's a major UK-wide project by researchers at Oxford University, and it only takes a few minutes. Have your say by 31st August by going to this link.
2. Growing Hope update – from Graham Alcock (Chair of Trustees for Growing Hope Ipswich). Please read this key communication from Graham to understand what are the plans for providing free therapy for children and young people with additional needs in partnership with local churches, and how you can help to make this a reality.
3. Kick Academy linked to Lindbergh Road Community Church in the South East of Ipswich is still going strong, well attended by young people and seeing young people attend church for the first time which is exciting. Please see original poster for details of how to engage with this outreach activity.
4. Faith In Recovery Ipswich – a new project providing a space for anyone who has a faith, or is open to a faith, in Jesus and struggles with an addiction. The group meets 6-7pm on Wednesdays at The Key, 15, St Margaret’s Street, Ipswich, IP4 2BB.
If anyone wants anymore details or to chat further then please see contact details on this flyer or via this link.
5. Footsteps Walking With You – a Christian based mental health counselling charity which works with young people (and has won 2 High Sherriff awards) would love the opportunity to tell church congregations about their work. Contact Jo Ashton (CEO and Lead Counsellor) if you could help with this.
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Requests for support:
1. Cool Spaces - with the current heat waves could your church or charity potentially offer a 'cool space' for a few hours to help vulnerable people to have a place of rest. Suffolk Resilience Forum is looking to map these opportunities for easier visibility so please do contact me (via secretary@togetherforipswich.uk) and I will pass your details on.
2. Triangle Church has a day to day presence in its community through its charity shop "Living Water" in Dickens Road. This is in need of more volunteers and also customers! Please see details of what is required in this Living Waters volunteer appeal information sheet. Thanks to Rev Lawrence Carey for highlighting this need.
3. Support for Sizewell Hall – for 50 years this property has been used to change lives for Christ and the trustees have been given the opportunity to buy the Hall from its owners. Please see this communication with more information on how you could help to make this possible.
4. Fair Trade Shop - After 36 years, the Fair Trade Shop in Ipswich is facing closure. It was started by Christians and sold goods originally out of a small hall at Christ Church, Tacket Street. Then we found a shop in Orwell Place before moving to ideal premises in Upper Brook Street 10 years ago.
The combination of decreasing footfall in the town, combined with a huge increase in rates, and a few emergencies (e.g. flooding from the store above), have meant that we have no option but to vacate the store.
Is there anyone who knows of premises (ethical shop, church, church hall?) with spare capacity that we would be welcome to share, or even storage space so we can still sell at outside events and to other groups as we are invited? Contact me (via secretary@togetherforipswich.uk) and I will pass your information on.
The Fairtrade movement aims to encourage a just way of trading, which puts uppermost the wellbeing of farmers and producers in low income countries, as well as the wellbeing of the land. Since Fairtrade started it has become more mainstream and lots of goods are available in normal supermarkets, but independent ethical craftspeople will definitely miss out if we close.
The shop in Upper Brook Street is the only one in Suffolk , and is almost the only justification for calling Ipswich a Fairtrade Town.
5. Can you help with an opportunity to engage with the community and deliver awareness information about heart failure? In partnership between the local NHS Integrated Care Board and ITFC Foundation we are looking to do some awareness and prevention work around heart failure. We would love to attend any events, lunch clubs or coffee mornings you have coming up where we can engage with the community and deliver some information around what heart failure is, the signs and symptoms to look out for and what we can do to prevent it.
For more information or to get involved please email Molly Roberts.
6. Home Fire Safety Visit awareness
The Prevention Team at Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) seek to work with partners/agencies/volunteers to ensure they are aware of the free Home Fire Safety Visits we provide to residents of Suffolk and how to refer onto us. We are also very willing to speak at groups/events re: Home Fire Safety.
A Home Fire Safety Visit (HFSV) considers and offers advice regarding:
Detectors and Assistive Technology
Fire Safety in the Home
Clutter and Hoarding
Safer Heating and Electrical Safety
Medicines and Medical Devices
Carbon Monoxide
Smoking related fires
We want to ensure we are reaching out to all faiths and communities in Suffolk with a particular emphasis on reaching the most vulnerable in Suffolk, hence this contact with members of the church community in Ipswich.
Please do email Sarah Campbell (Partnerships and Delivery Manager) for more information.
7. Wall of Prayer - You may be well aware of this but in England there is a plan to build an 'Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer', which relies heavily on people submitting answers they have experienced (given the encouragement of Psalm 66:16 which says, "Come and hear… and I will declare what He has done"). Do consider what you could submit to add another brick into this wall.
8. Sailing Opportunity!
The Morning Star Trust is a Christian sailing charity (www.mst.org.uk). They seek to encourage the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of young people and adult groups through active involvement in our yacht sailing voyages. Our Christian faith underpins all we do and all our skippers are Christians. They have had several engagements with charities in the Ipswich area this year and have finished their season.
If you are interested in exploring opportunities for next year or praying specifically for their ministry then please do contact Adam Davis (via adam.davis@mst.org.uk) soon for more information on prayer requests and how to get involved.
9. English language classes and more
As does OASIS, the organisation Realise Futures provide English language courses which are free to most adults 19+ who are residents in Suffolk dependent on their income. It is a Community Interest Company with 3 departments - Employment, RF Works and Learning, Coaching and Advice. Courses cover key areas such as Health & Wellbeing, Work Skills, Digital Skills, Learning in Families, and English, Maths, and ESOL. They are from Entry Level to Level 2, including both accredited and non-accredited provision.
See www.realisefutures.org for more information or contact melanie.hercus@realisefutures.org directly who leads the Learning, Coaching and Advice department.
10. Creativity Input to the City of Culture bid
Ipswich's journey to become UK City of Culture 2029 is gathering momentum as the bid moves into its second phase, with a new team now in place to lead the work. Amy Vaughan has been appointed bid director, joined by four local creative producers drawn from the town's own creative community - Marcus Harris-Noble, Kath Cockshaw, Kirsty Tallent and Hannah Houghton. Together they will help shape an inspiring vision for Ipswich's cultural future, building on the ideas, energy and creativity already shared by communities across the town.
Residents, artists, organisations and young people are being invited to play an even bigger role in co-creating the bid with the local producers. This phase, to prepare our full submission in time for the August deadline, is about turning ideas into action and showcasing the wealth of talent that defines our town. From grassroots creativity to major cultural moments, Ipswich is ready to tell its story with pride.
This is our opportunity to put Ipswich on the national stage and create a lasting cultural legacy for generations to come.
To find out more and get involved, visit ipswich2029.com
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Blessings on behalf of the TFI team.
Jonathan Barnes
(TFI Secretary and Acting Chair)