Ipswich community projects to benefit from £1.5 million Pride in Place Impact Fund
Community projects across Ipswich are set to benefit from a £1.5 million Fund after Ipswich Borough Council allocated grants through the Government's Pride in Place Impact Fund.
The £1.5 million fund provides investment to improve community hubs across Ipswich, creating better spaces that strengthen communities, improve health and wellbeing and increase pride in the places people live.
Funding has now been awarded to 25 community organisations, charities and local groups to refurbish, improve and enhance buildings and facilities used every day by residents.
From community centres and youth facilities to cultural, heritage and faith buildings that provide activities and support services, the funding will help create welcoming, accessible spaces that meet local needs and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
Among the awards are £233,000 for Murrayside Community Centre for building refurbishments; £150,000 for Eastern Angles Theatre Company to upgrade essential elements of the building’s infrastructure, including toilets, retractable seating and the theatre floor; £72,450 funding for Suffolk Mind to refurbish and bring its building at 2–6 Arcade Street back into active community use as a dedicated mental health and wellbeing hub for Ipswich; and £65,851 for YMCA Trinity to restore its sports hall, which has fallen into disrepair through wear and tear, creating more opportunities for young people and the wider Ipswich community to take part in sport, physical activity and community life.
Councillor Neil MacDonald, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said: "This central government funding will make a real difference to community organisations across Ipswich that work tirelessly to support local people. The overwhelming response to the fund shows just how much passion, commitment and ambition exists within our communities.
"By investing in the buildings and spaces that bring people together, we are helping organisations continue and expand their valuable work while creating places that residents can be proud of."
Councillor George Lankester, Portfolio Holder for Communities, said: "The Pride in Place Impact Fund is about strengthening communities by improving the places where people learn, socialise, seek support and take part in activities that improve their wellbeing.
"We're delighted to support such a wide range of projects across Ipswich and look forward to seeing the positive impact these improvements will have for local residents."
Jack Abbott MP, Member of Parliament for Ipswich, said: “I was delighted to secure £1.5 million for Ipswich as part of the Pride in Place Impact Fund. Thanks to this Government funding, 25 community organisations, charities and local groups will be able to refurbish, improve and enhance buildings and facilities used every single day by local residents.
“This investment will make an enormous difference, supporting the organisations that make our town such a great place to live and making sure they can continue their incredible work for year to come. This is exactly what our Government's Pride in Place programme is about - investing in our communities by investing in the places and spaces that matter to them."
Patrick Spencer MP, Member of Parliament for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, said: "I'm delighted to see this investment being directed towards community organisations across North Ipswich. These projects will help improve the buildings and facilities that local residents, especially young people, rely on every day, creating stronger, healthier communities and ensuring everyone has access to high-quality spaces.”
We’ll be highlighting more of our award winners and their work across our social media channels over the coming months.
The funding has been awarded to the following organisations:
| Community Hub Ipswich CIC | £27,379 |
To create an accessible front door, refurbish the kitchen and toilets, and painting and decorating in the main space.
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Sounds East CIC (T/A Brighten The Corners)
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£29,882.40 | To install an energy efficient heating and cooling system. |
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Suffolk Mind
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£77,058.33
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To restore and refurbish 2-6 Arcade Street, creating a Community Hub. |
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Highfield Nursery School - Friends of Highfield
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£13,731.95 | To replace their climbing frame. |
| Bows and Arrows | £17,355 |
To create a storage area and drying racks for children's belongings, alongside the build of a new wooden cabin which they are match funding.
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| Ipswich BMX Club | £64,534.50 |
To improve accessibility with a disability strip running around the track.
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| Landseer Road Methodist Church | £3,900 |
To replace the floor in their church hall.
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| Creative Computing Club CIC | £46,453.02 |
To improve energy efficiency with new windows, solar panels and updating their electrics.
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| Triangle Church/Community Centre | £19,196 |
To replace existing windows and doors.
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The Parochial Church Council of Holy Trinity Church Ipswich
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£34,322,95 | For renovation works to their kitchen, including new appliances and flooring in the Café. |
| Genesis Orwell Mencap | £27,330 |
For the demolishment of an old timber building, and resurfacing works to improve accessibility.
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| Inspire Suffolk | £51,313,91 |
To install air conditioning and complete an internal refurbishment, including furniture.
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| Murrayside Community Centre CIC | £233,014.80 |
To install new flooring in the sports hall, upgrade heating & lighting, and install solar panels.
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| 6th Ipswich (St John's) Scout Group | £23,500 |
Funding towards moving their current toilets, improving accessibility and replacing the kitchen.
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| St Margaret's Church | £53,167.20 |
For roof and window repairs, decoration and dry rot treatment.
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Pauls Sports and Social Club Limited
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£16,000 | Funding towards refurbishing their kitchen. |
| The Willows Daycare | £35,000 |
For removing plasterboard, installing a new kitchen and alterations to electrics and fencing.
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| 1st Ipswich Scout group | £82,000 |
To improve facilities including the kitchen, disabled toilet, storage and disabled access at the front of the building.
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| Eastern Angles Theatre Company | £150,000 |
To replace theatre seating, upgrade lighting, replace the theatre floor, and install secondary glazing.
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Ipswich Community Church & Centre
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£44,225.54 | To repair and restore windows and frames sensitively. |
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Ipswich Suffolk Council For Racial Equality (ISCRE)
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£8,570.41 | Funding towards updating their building, including a new door and signage. |
| YMCA Trinity | £65,851.60 |
For lighting, replacing gym flooring, electrical work and decorating.
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| Sangat Sikh Community Association | £122,332.06 |
To modernise the building, including flooring, decoration, lighting, toilet upgrades and accessibility.
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| The Butterfly Centre Limited | £83,978.84 |
To install a noise reduction system, re-surfacing, installation of a patio area and pergolas.
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| The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Mary & St. Botolph’s Whitton, Ipswich | £90,264.06 | For flat roof repair and insulation, replacing windows and doors, upgrading heating system. |
Any remaining funds are held for contingency and/or for organisations still going through the application process.