Community Corner
Community Corner
Season’s greetings everyone from the Emmaus Suffolk Family!
My name is Heather and I’ve been volunteering with Emmaus Suffolk in Ipswich for several years. Being a volunteer in the Dales Road shop, the allotment and with their upcycling has really helped my confidence with the support they offer and the chance to try out new things, the latest of which is this blog.
Emmaus Suffolk is like a big family, including Mandy’s lovely dog Moley, who is currently in the office trying to decide which is the most comfortable spot in the arm to rest in his head. He now seems to have found it as his eyes are closed very contentedly – as the saying goes, it’s a dog’s life!
There’s still time to get your Christmas shopping done at the Emmaus shops in Ipswich and Felixstowe. You’ll find something for everyone, from decorations and cards to cuddly toys and clothes. All purchases help Emmaus Suffolk to continue to support Suffolk people struggling with homelessness, unemployment and their mental health. Hubs at the Carr Street shop in Ipswich town centre and Felixstowe offer a safe warm space, company and support, including if you’re quiet like me. You can have a cuppa and a chat, enjoy crafting, play a board game or do a puzzle. (And there are biscuits too, if you have a sweet tooth.)
The Royal Oak also provides hot meals with their ‘One Pot Wonder’ offer and drinks, as well as a singing group, a Kids & Carers group and a Men’s Breakfast Hub. Whatever your circumstances and level of confidence, Emmaus Suffolk will give you a warm welcome (Dogs are welcome too, including in the shop areas at each site – some are regular visitors!)
The Christmas elves are up to their tricks again at the Royal Oak – you’ll see the evidence on the Emmaus Suffolk Facebook page! (This afternoon will be the volunteer Christmas party so hopefully they will have left some mince pies…). There’s also a Giving Tree there, which you can donate a present to. When you order a meal at the Royal Oak, there is an option to add a donation to the cost of your meal – this donation will be used to provide someone with a hot meal this Christmas.
Volunteers have been busy upcycling donated craft materials into Christmas decorations and cards, some of which are available in the Carr Street shop for a donation. They and the hub attendees also made Emmaus donation themed decorations for the Emmaus Suffolk Christmas Tree at St Mary-Le-Tower’s annual ‘Trees @ The Tower’ display.
The Dale Road shop also has a small community garden and allotment. This year, David and Dave planted a lot of vegetables including potatoes. It’s been interesting helping out at the allotment and seeing each week how much the veg has grown (some broad beans are sprouting at the moment.
Helping on the till is also interesting – you never know what’s going to donated. So far this winter, a lot of teddy bears have been donated along with an advent calendar with miniature books behind each door telling the Nativity story. (It sold quickly and the teddy bears found new forever homes too!)
As Moley happily settles down again after his pre-Christmas lunch, he and the team hope that you too can join us for some festive fun this Christmas time, whether it’s at the hubs, volunteering or browsing in the shops.
Warm Christmas wishes from everyone at Emmaus Suffolk!
p.s Moley has a Christmas cracker joke – “What do Santa’s little helpers learn at school? – The Elf-abet!” He also found out on Google that mince pies used to be lucky – back in the day, people thought that if you ate a mince pie every day during the twelve days of Christmas, you would get 12 months of good luck. Moley approves of this and is hunting for mince pie crumbs (although he know dogs can’t eat the filling)… he hopes it’s true and wishes you good luck too in 2024!