Wellbeing and Community Support
We know that the rising costs can make it harder for people to get together and do the things they enjoy.
Staying in touch with others can help you feel happier and more supported.
We want to make sure that despite higher costs people can still connect and take care of their wellbeing.
There are lots of local groups and services that can help you:
- Feel part of your community
- Make new friends
- Learn new skills and feel more confident
- Get help with money worries
- Improve your health and wellbeing
Community Meet-Ups and Wellbeing Services
There are warm, friendly places across Suffolk where you can meet others, chat, and stay warm.
- Libraries: All Suffolk libraries are warm spaces. Find your local library
- Good Neighbour Schemes: These offer help with everyday tasks and often run coffee mornings, afternoon teas, or lunch clubs. Find out more about Good Neighbour schemes
- Men’s Sheds: Friendly workshops where people share skills and talk. Find out more about Men’s Sheds
- Rural Coffee Caravan: Brings people together in villages for social events. Find out more about the Rural Coffee Caravan
- Exercise Referral Scheme: If your doctor thinks it would help, you can join fun exercise sessions to feel better. Find out more about the Exercise Referral Scheme
- Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF): Free holiday clubs and meals for children who qualify. Find out more about the Holiday Activities and Food Programme
- Feel Good Suffolk: Free advice and support to help you make healthy changes. Find out more about Feel Good Suffolk
Social Prescribing
If you want to meet people or join a group but don’t know where to start, a social prescriber can help. They’ll talk to you about what you enjoy and what support you need, then help you find the right local group or activity.
There are two social prescribing teams in Suffolk:
- Connect for Health: Covers places like Stowmarket, Debenham, Hadleigh, Ipswich.
Email c4h.suffolk@nhs.net
Phone 01394 332265
Find out more about Connect for Health - Life Link: Covers places like Sudbury and Woolpit.
Email social.prescribing@snee.nhs.uk
Phone 07971 594709
Find out more about Life Link
Winter Grant Funding
Local groups and charities do amazing work to support people. That’s why we’re giving extra funding to help them do even more this winter.
If you’re part of a local group and want to offer extra support, you might be able to apply for the Living Well in Winter Grant. Find out more about the Living Well in Winter Grant in Mid Suffolk