Ipswich Priory

A Salvation Army Church and Community Centre

The Priory Centre is a busy and thriving community centre where we aim to offer a welcoming and safe space for all.

As Christians, our love for God motivates all that we do. We run an exciting and busy community centre where we offer community engagement and social activities to meet the needs of the local communities. We encourage and promote diversity and we value each and every person as someone special. So we would love to see you and you are welcome to visit us or join our community programme whether you have a faith or no faith at all. 

We are passionate and committed to working not just with the local communities but with other Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations specifically those working with disadvantaged and vulnerable communities to encourage social justice, address poverty, alleviate distress, promote equal opportunities and offer other support provisions.

The Salvation Army’s work in the Priory Heath area of Ipswich began in the late 1920's when a Sunday school for the local children was started in the front room of the house in Beatty Road belonging to the Snowling family. The success of the venture led to the Salvation Army building a hall in Queensway; the first building on the shopping parade.

For many years the Salvation Army played an important role in the local community, providing a friendly, busy church and a range of family-based activities and welfare support - particularly during the depressed years of the 1930's. However, by the early 1970's the church was in decline. This decline continued during the next two decades until by the late 1990's, membership of the church was in single figures and the building was in serious need of modernisation.

Although the most obvious decision might have been to close the church down, the Salvation Army took the view that the building was in an ideal position - at the centre of four social housing estates - to meet local need in an area that had been identified as social deprived. A project worker was appointed in October 1998 to research the potential for the Salvation Army to have a relevant role in the community.

The research carried out over a twelve week period included a door-to-door survey in the area in which residents were asked to identify unmet needs in the community and to give their views as to whether the Salvation Army should be involved in helping to meet those needs and in what capacity. The result of the research was the decision to close down the existing Salvation Army church and re-develop the building as a community or social centre.

The church closed in the summer of 1999 and an appeal was made for funds to modernise and extend the building. While the money (in excess of £200,000) was being secured, the Salvation Army maintained a presence in the community by placing a portacabin on the site and appointing a development officer.

The portacabin - given the name "The Priory Centre" - was initially open two mornings a week to offer coffee and tea and the opportunity to socialise. A parent and toddler group and a women's healthy lifestyles group soon followed. Volunteers were recruited to help run the Centre.

In December 2001 the Priory Centre moved into the refurbished building. By the time of its official opening in May 2002, the Centre was open six days a week and was offering a range of different activities, including a community café. The programme continued to develop and the number of volunteers involved in running the Centre grew from the initial five to up to sixty over the next five years. Most of the volunteers were recruited from the local community. Through close working with other agencies, it was possible to offer work experience and volunteering opportunities to people with special needs, including learning disabilities, and to those recovering from mental health problems. Community work experience was also available for inmates from HMP Hollesley Bay.

The acquirement of the premises next door in 2009 have provided us with a funding stream by setting up a community store providing further volunteering opportunities, as well as providing cheap quality clothing and household items.

In 2014 an extension was added, and the Centre completely refurbished resulting in additional rooms, enlarged café area, kitchen and extra office space.

Partnership working with agencies such as SNAP housing advice, Eastern Savings and Loans have increased the capacity to offer practical support to local people visiting the Centre.

Local involvement has been a vital part of the success of the Priory Centre, not only through volunteering, but also through the seeking of local opinion and ideas for the development of the Centre. The community, as well as the volunteer team, is represented on the Centre Advisory Board which advises the Salvation Army on the running of the Centre.

Monday 

4pm - 5pm NG Impact 

Impact runs every other Monday and focuses on young people making a positive difference in the community. We do activities such as litter picks, giving out free hot chocolates and running charity events - all ideas are created and planned by the young people themselves. Please follow NG Instagram (@ngipswich) or Facebook page (NG Youth Project) for further information. 

Tuesday

10am - 12pm Craft Group

The Craft Club enables people to learn new skills, get help with their craft and enjoy being with others. Some people bring their own projects, while other have a go at something new. Refreshments and light lunch available in The Hub Café. You can join our friendly craft club for as little as £1.50 for a two hour session. No booking needed, just come along.

 4.15 - 6pm NG Youth Café (term time)

Run by Christian Youth Ministries (CYM) in partnership with The Priory Centre on Tuesdays for those in Year 7-13.  We provide a space filled with board games, air hockey and other fun activities, alongside our kitchen that serves our famous milkshakes and toasties! It is a chance to meet new people and hang out with friends. Please follow NG Instagram (@ngipswich) or Facebook page (NG Youth Project) for further information.

Wednesday

11am Worship

A relaxed worship meeting including songs, Bible reading, prayer and a Biblical message. 

12:30pm Lunch Club

Lunch Club is open to anyone who is lonely or likes to eat with others. A two course meal with tea or coffee is provided for £5. Please book in advance. 

From 5:30pm Rainbows and Brownies

Thursday

10.30am Pop-up shop

The pop-up shop is run by IP3 good neighbours. A variety of low priced food available for local people who struggle to make ends meet. £2 a bag, no questions asked.

9.30am - 1.00pm Employment Plus - (Sessions are currently suspended. Please watch this space for an update) 

These weekly sessions offer tailored support to help people become job ready, to get a job and to stay in work.  Examples of help available: Digital inclusion, Benefits advice and support, a listening ear. Sessions are free and provide confidential information, advice and guidance to empower individuals to overcome obstacles they face professionally and personally.  No booking needed, just come along. For further information https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/employment-plus

Friday

10am - 12pm Art for Fun

Art for Fun on Friday mornings is for everyone who enjoys being creative, from the complete beginner to the budding Turner. It is a relaxed session, with occasional speakers or demonstrators.  You can join Art for Fun club for £2.50, for a two hour session. No booking needed, just come along.

Lunch
Refreshments and cooked hot lunch is available in The Hub Café to purchase

The hub cafe is just the place to meet friends or make new ones. The cafe serves refreshments and light lunches including delicious home-made cakes

Opening Times

Tuesday 10am - 1pm

Thursday 10am - 1pm

Friday 10am - 1pm

Chat with friends, browse on social media or why not work from our café. We offer fast speed FREE Wi-Fi for our Hub Café and Community Shop customers. Enjoy our freshly made sausage rolls, scones, cinnamon rolls or home made cakes with a hot/cold drink for very reasonable rates

Buy or donate preloved clothes, books, homeware and other items. 

• Clothing including men's clothes, women's clothes, dresses, coats and jackets
• Shoes, boots and trainers
• Books, CDs and DVDs , toys
• Homeware, household items, bric-a-brac and unique gifts

Opening Times:

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday : 10am -1pm

VOLUNTEER

Applications are now open for a wide variety of volunteering roles. Help and support your community if you can spare 2-4 volunteering hours a week or if you are looking for job placement and work experience.

We are especially looking for people who can lead a group for various activities in the centre, to support community engagement, integration, social action and diversity. No experience necessary only your time and committment. However, if you are a qualified professional and would like to volunteer, please get in touch to discuss a more suitable opportunity.  We are open Tuesday - Friday 9am - 3pm

WHAT WE OFFER?  Full induction, training opportunities, flexible working, free Wi-Fi and hot drinks. 

CURRENT VACANCIES

GROUP LEADERS: To lead a group of adults for community and social activities. No experience needed, training provided

RELIEF COOK/CAFÉ ASSISTANT (Bank Role): To run the café in the cooks absence, including preparing and cooking meals. Experience preferred, training provided

CAFE ASSISTANTS: To serve light refreshments, keep the kitchen and café area clean and tidy and help the cook prepare meals. No experience needed;  training provided

LUNCH CLUB ASSISTANTS: To help the cook prepare and serve meals at table, serve light refreshments in the café, keep the kitchen and café area clean and tidy. No experience needed;  training provided

COMMUNITY STORE (Charity Shop) ASSISTANTS: To sort and prepare donations for sale, serve customers and keep the shop clean and tidy. No experience needed; training provided

RELIEF GENERAL ASSISTANT: Duties include preparing rooms for use and light cleaning. No experience needed, training will be given.     

OFFICE ASSISTANTS: Help with general office administration. Good IT and administration skills required.

If your interest is not listed above, we are open to ideas. Please send us a message or call us to discuss.  For an informal chat please get in touch at 01473 710721 or ipswich.priory@salvationarmy.org.uk