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.

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 Cafe.

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. This needs to be booked 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.

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. Refreshments and cooked lunch is available in The Hub Cafe. 

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 a good speed totally FREE Wi-Fi for our Hub Café and Community Shop customers 

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. 

We are especially looking for people who can run various activities in the centre to support community engagement, integration, social action and diversity. If you are a qualified professional and would like to volunteer, we would love to hear from you.

Our current volunteering opportunities are open for the following roles:  Cook, Cleaner, Community Shop Assistant and Worship service helper.

If your interest is not listed above, we are open to ideas. Please send us a message or call us to discuss.