The Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Elango Elavalakan, took part in recognising the local charity ActivLives’ volunteers for the impact they made in promoting health and well-being across Ipswich and Suffolk, through the charity’s inclusive sports, gardening and exercise programmes and hubs. At the Annual General Meeting in November, ActivLives celebrated the role of volunteers in helping bring people and communities together to advocate mental and physical well-being across Ipswich and Suffolk.

Three dedicated volunteers who have given their time and commitment with ActivLives for over a decade were honoured at the annual meeting. One of the volunteers, Anita Bimpson, who was honoured has been helping the charity’s St Mary at Stoke Lunch Club. She has been serving local men and women in Ipswich with care, support and meals for 16 years. “I’ve seen people’s lives changed, as they grow, as they come and as they made friends. Our lunch club is very much like a family,” she said.

It is ActivLives 11th AGM, since it became a Charity in 2012, promoting health and wellbeing in Ipswich and Suffolk’s local communities and organisations. CEO Julie Stokes shared how volunteering and team effort kept the charity delivering services that make a difference in people’s lives.

“We have experienced ‘change’ and ‘challenge times’, but I have an amazing team of caring, passionate, enthusiastic and experienced staff and a wonderful team of dedicated and loyal volunteers across the organisation, who work exceptionally hard to keep our services running”, she said. She also thanked everyone involved in the charity for their support, generosity and feedback.

ActivLives looks forward to developing existing partnerships, building new relationships with funders, supporters, donors and growing ActivLives services to reach more people and communities in the coming year.