Heather’s November Blog

It's Fireworks month already - though Moley hopes nobody sets any off during his shifts in the Dales shop's office, as the noise hurts his little ears. (He would like to add that loud noises should only be made by him, thank you very much...)

Speaking of which, Moley's enthusiastically applauding the fact that the Royal Oak's Sunday Roasts have returned! Take a seat in the cosy dining area and warm yourself with a roast for £12.50 and a hot drink. You'll need to pre-book by booking at the till, emailing cateringmanager@emmaussuffolk.co.uk or calling 01473 721570. (With your choice of roast: Turkey, Beef or Vegan, party size and choice of time – either 12 or 1pm.) Moley's also really happy that Emmaus have launched their Christmas Dinner Appeal again this year.  You can give a donation at the Royal Oak or donate online, enabling Emmaus to provide free hot meals for homeless people.

In October, Emmaus Suffolk won some free community tickets for a showing of “Footloose” at the Wolsey Theatre. Many thanks to the theatre and also to hub coordinator Debbie, who informed volunteers about this and distributed the tickets. (Moley would have attended too, but admits he wouldn't have been able to resist climbing up on stage to join in. He does so love to have an adoring audience, especially if the cast could improvise a new song, just for him, about nap time...) This musical is set in America, in a place where the local preacher has banned dancing and popular music. His daughter, a new boy in town and their friends rebelliously set out to change things. (Moley's in favour of people singing and dancing to such catchy tunes – except for when he's asleep...) It was a fantastic show with a really talented cast, who sang classics such as the title song, “Let's Hear It For The Boy” and “Holding Out For A Hero” with great gusto. They also had great comic timing - the characters Rusty & Willard and the waitress at the diner were particularly hysterical! It was interesting that the stage musical has more songs than the film version. (Which the Dales appropriately has the dvd of! Alas for Moley, it's too high up for him to reach...) This musical was a delight from start to finish and I highly recommend it.

One Wednesday in October, gardening expert David advised that it was getting too cold for many more tomatoes to ripen. I helped untie and pull up the stakes which held up some of the tomato plants and put them away so they can be reused next year. On the Friday, as I weeded the allotment, the resident robin was having a long, loud conversation with a smaller bird. Sweetly, they flew between the trees together several times. The robin perched high up in a tree which overlooks the allotment, the Emmaus community garden and the neighbouring gardens. The smaller bird perched at the very top of the tree. They continued chattering away until the robin spotted something in a neighbouring garden and dive-bombed out of sight. (As speedy and graceful as a fighter plane – Moley wonders if maybe this robin was a Spitfire pilot in a past life? Later, when it was time for me to finish, the robin emerged onto the fence, chirping as if to say goodbye. In November, I helped pick the final beetroots and tomatoes. David said there wouldn't be any more allotment sessions now until February, as it'll be too cold to plant anything new. In the meantime, the soil is full of worms for the robins to enjoy.

Inside the warmth of the Dales shop, antiques aficionado Moley spotted Toby Jugs, a “Charles & Diana” decorative plate and a Wedgewood trinket box. He also perused a box of 50p items and boxes containing selections of wool and cotton reels. Other items included an ironing board, a Snoopy + Woodstock badge, a “Mr & Mrs” ornament and Moley-approved signs which read “Beware Of The Cat” and “A House Is Not A Home Without A Dog”. (Alongside a sign saying “Be Happy and Smile” - a motto which Moley certainly lives by.) A dvd of the “Men in Black” film tempted him as well. (“Galaxy Defender” Moley hasn't found any aliens yet at the Dales, but as he did find a tiny 2-in-1 microscope/periscope and a stargazing book, he's well-prepared, just in case...)

People have kindly continued to donate mirrors for Moley to admire himself in and he continues to be tempted by boxes which might contain food but are actually either filled with something else or are empty! (E.g. a “Camembert” box contained a set of plates – not a scrap of cheese in sight!) Not to mention, there was a large painting of some teddies dressed as pirates – Captain Moley's rather jealous of their treasure chest filled with gold...

During the November chill, bookworm Moley will have contented himself on the sofa with books about Bear Grylls, Judi Dench and Gloria Hunniford and a novel about a bookshop. Also, Michael Morpurgo's wonderful “War Horse” and the charming “Little Women”. If you're looking to continue Halloween for a little longer, there's still creepy-sounding titles such as “The Charmer”, “The Black Candle” and one of the newer Poirot novels, “The Mystery Of Three Quarters”. (Monsieur Moley's own detective skills helped him discover a pad of Stars Wars stickers and a selection of £1 items too, such as witch hats, a wig, Halloween bunting and a tray shaped like a boiled sweet. The clothing section also had a Darth Vader costume and a child's Scooby Doo costume!)

The Dales shop led up to Remembrance Sunday with lots of poppy-themed items, including a glass cake stand, a dining table set, a serving bowl and a painting. There were also women's clothes in a poppy shade of red, a souvenir jug and coaster set from Duxford Air Museum, a rubber duck dressed like a G.I. and a glass dish commemorating the 1936 Coronation of King George VI. Also, a little sweetie tin, with “Churchill” on the side. The dvd section had a great selection of war-themed films, including “The King's Speech”, as well as a set of documentaries about the RAF, Army + Navy and a set about British history. Moley was thrilled to spot a boxed “Flight Simulator”! (Just what he needs to fulfill his dream of flying, without having to leave the comfort of his own home.) Moley recently found a photo in the East Anglian Daily Times of a Suffolk Regiment in World War 2. He's very proud of these local heroes.

To fit with the Remembrance theme, I picked a book from the Dales called “Forgotten Voices of the Second World War” by Max Arthur. It consists of testimonies by men and women who lived through the war, including those who were children at the time. (Transcribed from taped interviews in the Imperial War Museum Sound Archive. The museum is well worth a visit, but its website has plenty to look at, too.) It's divided into sections for each year of the conflict: 1939-1945. Although it predominantly documents British memories, there's also some by German, Italian, American, Canadian and Polish fighters, as well as a German Jew, a journalist and an SOE agent. So it was really interesting to see how the war affected people on both sides and from various walks of life. The black-and-white photos really added to the descriptions of both warfare and life on the “Home Front”. For example, the rather chilling photo of a woman and baby wearing gas masks, along with one of RAF pilots relaxing, which belies their terrifying experiences in the air. (Just to forewarn, the book does refer to certain words and attitudes which are no longer used today. Additionally, there's some graphic descriptions of injuries, deaths and cruelty, including in the concentration camps.) The battle accounts are so detailed that you can almost feel the North African heat and the chill of the Norwegian winter. Along the way, you'll learn about such larger-than-life characters as the “Red Shadow”. Also, about the parachutists' amusing radio success signal and why the Gurkhas had such a fearsome reputation. As I enjoy war films, it was fascinating to read the real experiences of people involved in events portrayed in films such as “Dunkirk” and “Operation Mincemeat”. Moley will have been pleased to see that a dog was mentioned in the Dunkirk section! (This terrier was rescued by British troops, who named him “Kirk”.) Later on, there was also a photo of a canine mascot, “Pat”. Little details such as this were one of my favourite things about this book, as well as the way that the British eccentricities and sense of humour prevailed throughout the war. E.g. one British parachutist recalls how the Canadian members of his team played sports in their spare time in the run-up to D-Day. He affectionately contrasts this with the “not worrying, not bothering, and having a good nap while you can, of the British.” (Which also perfectly describes Private Moley's daily routine...) Though, as you will see, in battle they became very serious indeed. Therefore, the many tales of heroism and tragedy also make this door-stop sized book a poignant and heartstopping read.

Until next time, Moley's holding vigils by the poppy items. May we remember them, Heather.

July

Welcome to July at Emmaus Suffolk – full of bright, summery outfits to cheer you up after all the rain! Sun-worshipper Moley is ready for every summer celebration that 'Costa del Ipswich' has to offer, are you? E.g. he's seen beautiful Pride bunting decorating the Dales and browsed a book there about Suffolk churches, for Suffolk Day. He's admired the pretty “Volunteer” cards and Emmaus-themed badges too, which were kindly made for volunteers. Moley also likes the sound of all the turbans and saris at the Ipswich Gurdwara Sikh parade – he'd have liked a ride on their motorbikes!

Moley's been checking the Emmaus Suffolk Facebook Page again so he can share more updates with you. He can reveal that the Royal Oak team are now selling iced coffees! (He's drooling at the photo and snuffling to himself about what a shame it is that treats like that are just for humans...) It also says that “BBQ Saturdays are coming soon” - Moley's so excited, he can practically smell the burgers already! He also likes the photo of the sunflowers they're growing there, which he hopes will encourage the warmer weather to continue. Another charity have also put a pear tree and some plants in the Royal Oak garden for flowers, fruit and veg. Moley can't wait to see more photos of how that all progresses! Apparently, Emmaus Suffolk took part in “Charity Super.Mkt” at the free First Light Festival in Lowestoft as well, selling “pre-loved fashion and accessories” alongside other charities. Moley's been nosing his wet nose through other local Facebook pages too and has found out that Chantry Park has had a “Dinosaur Invasion Day” and that Ipswich also had Windrush Day events. Additionally, that Christchurch Park hosted Ipswich Music Day, while Holywells Park now currently has a splash pad. (Since Moley knows he can't slurp your iced coffee, he's considering cooling himself down on the splash pad instead, especially as Holywells Park's not too far from the Royal Oak. The thought of smelling all the park cafe's ice creams is appealing to him as well...)

Speaking of the Royal Oak, the annual summer BBQ took place there in late June as a kind thank-you to companions and volunteers, joined by my lovely friend's lovely dog Luna! Some staff and trustees also attended and fortunately the weather was glorious. My Mum and I enjoyed the scrummy burgers and hot-dogs, plus watching Luna, who impressed everyone with all the clever tricks she can do! She also promoted Pride with her smart rainbow bandana! Many thanks to the team who organised the BBQ, along with the fun quiz! (Which included matching staff members with their adorable baby photos. Also, tricky questions such as guessing the cost of the world's most expensive pizza!)

In honour of Wimbledon, tennis fan Moley has a strawberry fact for you. I've been told before that legend has it that Ipswich's own Cardinal Thomas Wolsey gave a banquet for Henry VIII which introduced “strawberries and cream”. (Moley hopes this really is where the tennis tradition came from. He's now daydreaming about lounging next to Henry VIII and offering to be the royal taste-tester at the banquet – at least for the meat courses!) Moley reckons he'd make a good Wimbledon ball-boy, so long as the Murray brothers wouldn't mind waiting for him to collect each tennis ball in his own time... As for the Olympics, Moley would love Dina Asher-Smith to give him a piggy-back as she sprints for glory, then join her on the podium and try on her medal.  A dog can dream... 

In June, some of the allotment veg continued growing nicely. One Wednesday, I pulled up last year's spring onions, some of which were alright to take home. The following week, gardening expert David picked the largest radishes, which were also delicious, and very peppery. Unfortunately, most of the herbs had been eaten – David said it was probably the snails. (Thankfully the tasty parsley survived.) The pea stems and runner bean stems and David's sunflowers are all getting taller, however, while the beetroot plants have also now got little shoots. I helped to clear some overgrown weeds to put on the compost heap, plus David taught me how to water round certain plants, e.g tomatoes. Near the end of June, David picked all the yummy broad beans – enough to fill the wheelbarrow! Most went on sale in bagfuls at the Dales shop, each for a donation.

On sale recently at the Dales: a doll's chair, a hip flask, a stopwatch, a sparkly clutch bag, elephant ornaments, an outdoor darts set, a set of 3 little tables, a dachshund mobile and an assortment of plastic plants. Also, a Thermos flask with “Vogue” on it. (I don't know if it did have anything to do with Vogue magazine, but Moley will have been “voguing” past it all the same...) In last month's blog, I mentioned Moley had noticed a telescope event in Christchurch Park and how much he wished he had a telescope for checking the weather. Spookily, the day after I emailed that blog off, there happened to be a large telescope on a stand at the Dales - I expect Moley was thrilled! (My Dales read last month included an old Scottish saying: “Whit's fur ye'll no go past ye” - basically meaning “If it's meant to be, then it will happen for you.” Moley will now be thoroughly convinced this is true – the eyepiece was positioned at exactly the right height for him - provided he was lifted up to the table first... To add to Moley's luck, one shelf displayed a small barometer!)

A recent donation at the Dales was a “Paddington Spot The Difference” game. (Moley wishes he could join its next little owner when they play with it – he loves to show people what a clever boy he is.) Also, a yoghurt-maker, a pasta-maker and Harrods toiletries. Customer purchases have included salt + pepper shakers, pictures and a mini arcade game. In the book section, Moley's beady eyes have noticed “Casino Royale” and books about Chris Packham, Dame Ellen MacArthur, Sir Matthew Pinsent and Michael Schumacher. Also, books about music chart hits, guitar playing, knitting, memory book making, Florida photography and New Zealand photography. Malorie Blackman's powerful Young Adult novel “Noughts & Crosses” featured too. History-wise, there's been “The Tattooist of Auschwitz”, “Call The Midwife”, and “Where Poppies Blow: The British Soldier, Nature, The Great War”.

This month's Dales shop read is one which was once recommended to me. It will introduce you to a refugee couple who've fled Syria. (The book is fictional but inspired by the testimonies of real-life refugees.) Artistic Afra has been struck blind by a terrible experience and her husband Nuri has become her carer. They're living in a refugee centre at the beginning, and at this stage you don't know much else yet except that they once had a beautiful home in Syria and that Nuri used to be a beekeeper. (Which gives Christy Lefteri's heartbreaking novel its title: “The Beekeeper of Aleppo”.) Lefteri takes you back to their home in Nuri's memories – full of gorgeous colours and smells, e.g. red, gold and blue and the scent of jasmine, cinnamon and the honey from Nuri's beehives. The story goes back and forth between the present and the past, as certain everyday things remind Nuri of either happier times in Aleppo, how the city got destroyed by the Syrian civil war, or their dangerous journey to the country where they're now seeking asylum. Therefore, you gradually find out more details about their experiences as it goes along, which kept me guessing. Given the subject matter, it does detail the physical and emotional trauma that the couple and other refugees have been through, including abuse. Additionally, the severe impacts this naturally has on their mental health. This was all really upsetting to read about, though important to learn about too. There's also lighter moments, however and I really liked Lefteri's writing style because I could picture the people and places vividly. She particularly writes about nature and about Aleppo before the war in a very magical way. Her own parents were apparently refugees from Cyprus and she used to volunteer at a refugee centre in Athens, so the storyline is very close to her heart. (To learn more about Lefteri and her inspirations for this book, there's an interesting interview with her on the Suffolk Libraries website, in the “Meet the Author” section. At the back of the book, there's also an extract from one of Lefteri's other books - “Songbirds”. The extract combines the beauty of Cyprian sheep with servitude and cruelty to animals.) If you like equally moving, beautifully-written books such as Khaled Hosseini's Afghanistan-set “The Kite Runner” and “A Thousand Splendid Suns”, try this one too. Like those novels, it's very thought-provoking and gives an insight into other cultures.

Until August, enjoy your iced coffee at the Royal Oak and if you're off to play tennis yourself, you might just find Moley's turned up to watch you, with his bowl of dog snacks at the ready... Have fun, Heather.

June

Summery wishes from Moley, the Emmaus team and myself! Monsieur Moley is pleased that Ipswich is getting a few more sunny days, so he can enjoy sunbathing once more. (In his opinion, it's about time, too!)

Did anyone see the Northern Lights over Suffolk in May? Although I didn't, I've heard that many others did. To follow that, there was apparently a free “Solar Party” outside Christchurch Mansion to give the chance to look safely at the sun through specialist telescopes. Moley wishes he could use one of those telescopes in the Dales shop's office, then he could make sure it's not going to rain when owner Mandy takes him out for a stroll round the car park. (As he likes to be warm and to look his best at all times.) Other Christchurch Park news is that a Tawny Owl has been seen back in the hole in “Mabel's tree” and that she has 3 owlets. Perhaps you'll be lucky enough to walk past at just the right time of day when the owl is there, peering down on all her fans. (Moley wishes he could take the owl's place, even just for once – he does so love to be adored and photographed. Since he doesn't think his little legs could manage to climb the tree, he wonders if a crane could lift him up there? And back down again later, when it's time for his tea...) There was also apparently a ceremony at the park's war memorial to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Appropriately, the Dales shop's little community garden (next to the allotment) is full of poppies once again.

Moley's got some updates for you that he's recently seen on the Emmaus Suffolk Facebook page. Apparently, there's a new Suffolk campaign called “Move More to Feel Better”, which is “a physical activity and movement strategy for Suffolk.” In line with Mental Health Awareness Week, the aim is “to build a healthier and more resilient Suffolk” by “supporting people to lead healthy active lives”. (Whatever your circumstances, e.g. it recommends walking as this is an activity people can do for free. Moley plans to take part by walking an extra circuit round the Dales office!) Additionally, Carr Street hub attendees made fantastic positive quote magnets to celebrate #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, plus a new hub space is being created in Felixstowe so that an Emmaus hub can be started up there again. A group of volunteers is kindly cleaning it up and painting it - very fitting for Volunteer's Week. Moley can't wait to see photos of their finished efforts! The Woodbridge 10k race is also featured, with the news that Woodbridge Shufflers running club ran it to raise money in support of Emmaus Suffolk. Moley is very impressed with the total raised: £3,273 - and that they managed all those steep hills! (Just the thought of trying that himself is making him feel sleepy...)

I saw an anonymous positivity quote online, which is: “When you can't find the sunshine, be the sunshine.” This is something I'm not personally good at as I'm very quiet and serious in person – I find writing helps me to express myself and my sense of humour. (Because I can redraft what I want to say.) Spontaneous Moley, on the other hand, brings sunshine wherever he goes!

After the productive planting at the Dales allotment, sadly it turned out that the snails ate a lot of the shoots in the greenhouse this last month. (Including most of the broccoli and sweetcorn shoots.) So gardening expert David removed all the plants from the greenhouse and hosed inside it. The snails also hide on the broad bean stems' leaves but you can also spot ladybirds there. The bees really like the stems' flowers as well. David also told me that the middles of the tops of the tallest broad bean stems needed removing and showed me how so I could have a go. He explained that these shoots mustn't get too tall, otherwise they'll end up with fewer beans (which are growing well). David also replanted the runner bean shoots into the ground with some tall sticks. I helped untangle some string and he tied several lines of it round the sticks. At the first June session, it was nice to see the stems growing up along the sticks and curling round the string, like last year. I pulled up last year's spring onions and David replanted the cabbage shoots into the ground, then he taught me to water around them. Many thanks to whoever kindly left some little tomato plants out for the allotment.

Moley's latest picks at the Dales are: sandals for hot days and comfy slippers for when winter suddenly reappears without warning! Party animal Moley would also like you to know that there's a great choice of summer clothes on sale, with plenty of colourful accessories – including handbags, purses, sunglasses, trainers, high heels, wedding hats and fascinators. One mannequin's modelling a long summer dress, while the other's displaying a bright summer top. On the clothing rails, there's also a top with a bird design on it and a jacket with a poppy design. Equipment for days out has recently included a crabbing net, rucksacks and umbrellas. There's a range of memorabilia for Cliff Richard fans, whilst Moley's spotted a little tree-shaped stand with mini photo frames hanging from its branches. (If he had his way, it would be filled with photos of him.) Look out also for a robin-themed mug, decorative plate and ornament, as well as a poppy table-mat set. During volunteering sessions on the till, customers have recently bought books, plates and jewellery. Garden ornaments have been donated, along with plant pots, a large poppy-themed bread bin and a set of wedding cake tins. The DVD section has featured “Cheaper By The Dozen”, “Michael McIntyre,” and “Gangs of New York”. Moley's spotted books such as “Queen Victoria” by Lucy Worsley, “Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey”, an Oasis biography and for sci-fi fans, “The Lost World”.

There's also quite a few cat-themed items, such as a black cat ornament, a “Cats & Dogs” DVD and a cat food mat, with cat food + water bowls, one of which is Garfield-themed! These fit well with my latest Dales shop read – a travel book by Dean Nicholson. He's a young Scotsman who decided to travel the world by bike in 2018 – at first with a friend and then alone, until he spotted a kitten on the road in Bosnia. After he fed her, the kitten seemed keen to stay with him and he found he couldn't say no. From the photo of her on the cover, it's easy to see why he lost his heart to her. Dean named her Nala after the “Lion King” character. (Especially since he saw online that “Nala” apparently means “gift” in Swahili. He felt this was appropriate, as having Nala in his life already felt such a gift.) As well as describing Nala's antics and the amazing landscapes, the author also reflects on adopting Nala and detailing their adventures on social media, which has led to fame. Also, the things which prompted him to use his and Nala's social media following to do some good in the world. (E.g. raising awareness of mistreated animals and environmental issues.) For instance, Nala certainly hasn't been the only abandoned animal Dean's found – she's become the first of many. Since he can't keep every animal he rescues, his website 1bike1world and social media accounts (all called the same) are useful ways of finding kind new owners for them and raising money for their veterinary treatments. Moley is especially chuffed that these rescue animals include dogs! (Moley's not sure if he could share attention with a kitten, but he wouldn't mind being taken round in a pouch on the front of a bike like Nala – so long as he could have it padded with his special fluffy blanket...) Just be aware, the author does mention drinking, casual drug use and a nearly fatal car accident (all from his earlier days). The book also contains upsetting descriptions of how animals and refugees have been badly treated and of situations where Nala's accidentally injured herself or gone missing. Plus, one section explains how the journey was affected by the events of 2020. This is all balanced with Nala's sweetness/sassiness, Dean's sense of humour and the adorable cartoons and photos of them. Plus, the way Nala, and the people he meets, inspire him to have a positive attitude, be kind, live in the moment and feel grateful for what he has. Checking back on the occasional cartoon maps of their journey helped me to keep track of all the places on the route. The cultures and scenery they encounter are fascinating – you'll feel like you're there every step of the way. (You can also watch their videos on Youtube of their travels mentioned in the book, and in the years since its publication.) And it's amazing to think how differently Dean's life has turned out from how it might have done – all from travelling and choosing to be kind to a kitten who needed help. (The cartoons show how becoming a cat owner and getting extra gear means that his bike amusingly ends up with a lot more belongings attached than he'd started with!)

I hope that wherever you are this summer, whether it's Suffolk or further afield, you get to enjoy the sunshine like Nala. (If you're travelling somewhere, a certain French Bulldog might be planning to hide in your luggage, so double-check before you go, to avoid any surprises at border security...) Take care, Heather.

May

Sunny greetings to you all!

After a chilly April, I hope May continues bringing you warmer weather! And speaking of warmth, apparently the Royal Oak will be serving Sunday Roasts for £8.95 on alternate Sundays. (Forthcoming dates for these specials are: 19th May and 2nd June.)  To book, email cateringmanager@emmaussuffolk.org.uk with your party size and dietary requirements. Moley is rather envious that humans can try out this new addition to the menu, especially of the fact that you get unlimited roast potatoes! He hopes the yummy smells travel all the way to his home so he can pretend he's there with you!

As I've been asked to find out how the Emmaus hubs benefit attendees, this time I've been to one of the Royal Oak's hubs. This one is called “Singing For The Soul” and I got kindly invited along to it by my lovely friend who attends it with her lovely dog Luna. Like Moley, Luna just loves to meet people and cheer them up with cuddles! I asked my friend what she (and cheeky Luna) enjoy most about this hub and how attending it benefits her. She kindly replied:

“I love going to Singing For The Soul on a Friday morning because it's good fun, and helps my mental health by singing and seeing other people. Everyone is really lovely and friendly. There's a real sense of community too, and absolutely everyone including all abilities are welcome and encouraged. Also by singing along to your favourite tunes it gives everyone such a positive boost. Andi plays the piano, and everyone sings along to whatever version of the song they know! We have folders with all the song lyrics in, and everyone is encouraged to choose one off the list. There's something for everyone, and there's no pressure to sing at all. It's not a choir, where you have to sing harmonies or read music. It's just a light hearted sing-a-long with a fun group of people, in a safe and chilled atmosphere.

Luna is also made very welcome, and sometimes we sing “how much is that doggy in the window” whereby she actually woofs along! 

I look forward to Friday mornings now because I get to go singing with such a lovely group of people!” Many thanks to her for answering my questions and introducing me to everyone.

I enjoyed attending one of these sessions as well as a delicious meal there afterwards with my friend. The song folder included a great mix of 1960s hits, musical numbers and more. (I picked the song “Hit the Road Jack”.) From the Royal Oak menu's great selection, I chose the stir fried chilli beef  + egg noodles with a pot of berry tea, followed by the apple + blueberry tart with custard – all generous portions and really delicious. As my friend said, you can indeed be assured of a warm welcome from Andi, and my friend + Luna and the other people at the singing hub and also from the Royal Oak staff and volunteers, including if you're quiet and serious in person like myself.

This last month at the Emmaus allotment, I've helped to plant seeds. In early April, it was veg seeds – tomatoes, sweetcorn and broad beans, in plastic trays. Gardening expert David taught me to put soil in the bottom of each little section, push the seed in, cover it and add more soil on top, put them in the little greenhouse, then water. David also planted seeds for broccoli and cabbage in the same way, as well as chillies in a pot and runner beans in the ground. Near the end of April, the peas, broccoli and cabbage had already started growing tiny shoots. David told me that some other shoots growing are potatoes and sunflowers from last year. This time, I helped to plant seeds for herbs such as basil in trays and also to fill a pot with dried-up runner beans from last year, to grow new ones from.  On the first Wednesday in May, I helped water the growing shoots. A robin watched from one of the trees, singing loudly as if to celebrate that the allotment is once again taking shape with crops. At the latest session, the robin returned – shouting hello and watching me help with the watering, then later also chirping goodbye. Many thanks to David for providing soil and extra seeds for this year.

Moley's seen on the Emmaus Facebook page that the Carr Street shop now also sells eco-refills, plus that the Royal Oak has added more new meals to their menu, and a supportive message for Ipswich Town. Football fan Moley is delighted that Ipswich have now been promoted! (Although I don't understand football like Moley does, it was still nice to go and see the team's parade bus arriving in Christchurch Park and the pride it gave their supporters.) Moley's also seen that apparently an Emmaus supporter ran the London Marathon to raise money for Emmaus. (The current total is £3,303 - Moley is clapping his paws and sending many congratulations!) These great achievements have even inspired flower-sniffing-enthusiast Moley to instead plod a tiny bit further round the Dales shop's car park than he normally would...

Whilst volunteering on the till at the Dales, in April I served some customers who bought items including children's clothes, glassware, a quill-shaped fountain pen, a watch and a silver microphone. Recently on display there's been more suitcases, plus flip-flops, a t-shirt with cartoon seagulls on it, a cheese-serving kit, a fondue set, ships-in-bottles and even a coal scuttle with a shovel! There's also a writing desk and a small empty case with “Harrods” on it – Moley would love to know what it once contained! (He hopes it was gourmet dog treats - he can definitely see himself luxuriating on a posh seat at Harrods next to the King!) Moley can also picture himself sitting on the writing desk, shuffling his bottom onto your paper so you can't finish writing your letters – unfortunately for him, it's locked at the moment...

In the book section, Moley has spotted novels by popular authors such as Maeve Binchy and David Walliams. (You can find more children's books and toys, etc. at Carr Street, which has a children's section.)  Non-fiction-wise, there's a “Dictionary of Pub Names”, which Moley thinks is very appropriate considering that the Dales shop and the Royal Oak both used to be pubs.

This last month I've read “A Room with a View” by E.M. Forster, from the Dales' bookshelves. I chose it as my Mum and I like the film version and the book has been on my “to-read” list for many years. When I bought it, it turned out that a fellow volunteer had donated it and they told me it's really good, which I certainly agree with. The first half of this 1908 book is set in Florence, where the main character (Lucy Honeychurch) is on holiday. Lucy (played in the film by a young Helena Bonham-Carter) is there for the first time with her old-fashioned cousin Charlotte. The book's title comes from the fact that they're disappointed that their hotel rooms' windows only overlook a courtyard. Plain-speaking Mr Emerson and his son George overhear their complaints and shock Charlotte by offering to swap rooms, as his and George's rooms have excellent views of the city. Once Charlotte is finally persuaded that this wouldn't be improper, Lucy can now enjoy staying in the kind of “room with a view” she'd looked forward to. The magical sight of Florence all lit up at night is the first of many new experiences there which change Lucy's life in this coming-of-age novel. In the second half, Lucy returns to her family's home in Sussex, where her admirer Cecil proposes to her. After the events of her holiday, however, she now views their attachment very differently. She's been influenced by new opinions and doesn't want to just be his possession. The appearance in Sussex of the Emersons and their modern ideas further complicates matters! The beautiful descriptions in this book of Florence and Sussex were particularly lovely – I could clearly picture what it must be like there. I also enjoyed the witty humour. Some of the characters have attitudes of the time, so I liked how Lucy begins to question their narrow-mindedness, and how this links to the romantic storyline. It's also interesting that her two suitors learn something from her just as much as she learns something from them. I sometimes struggle with classic books but this (fairly short) one was a real page-turner and I'm glad I gave it a try. (I return the books I review once I've read them, for others to enjoy.) And as the Emmaus price for fiction books is 50p, you can save a lot of money buying books like this one second-hand in their shops. (Especially as volunteers get a discount.)

Until next time, Moley's going to dream about joining Lucy's adventures – viewing Florence during  her horse + carriage ride and being referee when she plays tennis in her family's garden. (Appreciating the smell of tea + cakes and honey...) Enjoy the rest of the Spring, Heather.

April

Belated Easter greetings! The Emmaus team wish you a good April and hope the sun continues to try breaking through the clouds. I expect Moley is “full of the joys of Spring”, in his own very laid-back, regal sort of way. He loves to smell the Spring flowers and hopes you get the chance to as well. (He'll be less impressed by the “April showers”, but at least that means he can stay indoors and relax. The Emmaus shops, hubs and Royal Oak cafe also provide space to relax – for both dogs and their owners. Last week, a lovely Labrador came into the Dales shop and enjoyed watching me hoover the carpet!)

If you're planning some Spring cleaning, the Dales shop sells a range of eco-refills, such as washing-up liquid and eco all-purpose cleaner. Moley recommends their lovely, fresh smell.

The Dales got ready for Easter with two Easter-themed teapots on sale, as well as a chocolate Easter Egg-mould kit and a hen-shaped doorstop. Also, if you look on the Emmaus Suffolk Facebook page, you'll see photos of how the Carr Street shop and the Royal Oak celebrated Easter. The Carr Street photos show a lot of beautiful Easter decorations, handmade by hub attendees. (All on sale in the window there for a donation.) Plus, the photos of the display tube at the Royal Oak reveal that it filled up well with the beautiful Easter Egg tokens which I mentioned in the March blog. These were hand-painted by hub attendees too. Moley is very impressed with all their hard work! These tokens represent all the donations already given (at the Royal Oak), which will provide hot meals to the people Emmaus Suffolk supports. Many thanks from the team (including Moley) to the hub attendees and to everyone who has generously made a donation. It says that an amazing £336.10 was raised! Moley sends his cuddles! He's also found out online that egg decorating began some centuries ago and that the idea of the Easter Bunny leaving eggs (initially painted ones) began in Germany, with the “Easter Hare”. Choccie eggs, on the other hand, were started by Fry's in 1873. (Moley wishes that dogs were able to eat chocolate – it just smells so good!)

As for April Fool's Day, Moley likes to pretend that he hasn't had his lunch yet – even when the crumbs left in his food bowl suggest otherwise!

For those who also own/wait upon a dog, you can treat him or her to a smart food bowl/water bowl from the Dales shop, as these get donated there quite a lot. There's currently a dog-bone shaped one! Whereas cat owners/staff may like to honour their feline by purchasing the cat-shaped teapot, the cat-themed table mats or the set of tiny sleeping cat ornaments. Additionally, the book section currently has a guide to puppies and a book by Dr. Noel Fitzpatrick. (TV's “The Supervet”.)

The Dales is also already full with everything you need for preparing for either a summer holiday or enjoying the summer at home or in the park. Some camping chairs recently got donated and there's a large selection of suitcases on sale. You can also find picnic basket sets, children's water bottles, sun hats, jackets, shirts, skirts, dresses and floral tops. By the suitcases there's a large teddy, wearing a straw hat, just waiting to join somebody on their travels.

When I attended this week's Tuesday hub at the Dales, I enjoyed doing some colouring and trying another of their free paninis – a delicious ham + cheese one. Other available activities included a puzzle and Yahtzee. Volunteers also join in during their breaks – this time one volunteer had a sit down and a chat with everyone. She told me that she enjoys the company there at the Dales.

At the Emmaus allotment in March, there was quite a bit of weeding to do. Fellow volunteer David also pulled up the rest of last year's cabbages and beetroot. (Sadly, last year's weather meant that most of the cabbages and beetroot didn't grow properly enough for eating, so they've gone on the compost heap.) The broad bean shoots are getting taller and growing little flowers. David (who's a gardening expert) replanted last year's onions and turned over the soil around them. He said that planting could start in April. Many thanks to staff member Emma for ordering seeds for planting.

The Dales shop sometimes gets plant pots donated, as well as gardening books and garden decorations. There's currently a pair of hanging baskets too. For rainy days, however, you can also find baking equipment, cake stands, puzzles, stationery and craft supplies, including knitting needles and sewing patterns. There's also some packs of plain white greeting card-sized envelopes – 50p each. Antiques enthusiasts can sometimes find Toby jugs, Royal Family memorabilia and clocks, etc. And if you love sitcoms, the shop has previously had David Jason's autobiography and an ornamental “Last of the Summer Wine” - themed plate. Popular authors like Philippa Gregory and Frederick Forsyth are also on sale for bookworms, plus a book for football fans about Alex Ferguson.

A couple of reminders from Moley – there's no longer a retail section at the Royal Oak and the Dales shop no longer has a children's section. But if you have a good look, you might find things dotted around the Dales for both children and the young at heart. E.g. there's been a “dinosaur excavation kit”, a soft toy cheeky monkey, a “High School Musical 2” puzzle and family films on DVD. Children's books are sometimes available in the same area as the other books – Moley recently spotted a copy there of Roald Dahl's “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, which is just as much fun for adults as it is for children! (It didn't contain a Golden Ticket, but whenever Moley's around, you might just win the opportunity to bask in his presence!)

My second pick from the Dales shop's bookshelves to review is a non-fiction one - “Peaky Blinders: The Real Story” by Carl Chinn. (Whose own ancestors included a peaky blinder.) If you're a fan of the TV series “Peaky Blinders”, this book gives a lot of historical background to the programme's storylines. Therefore, there are many descriptions of violence, including against women and the police. The incidents mentioned were at times upsetting to read about, though it also makes clear that most working-class “Brummies” of the time weren't involved and that it was scary for them to live alongside the gangs. (Moley reckons the peaky blinders might have been less angry if they'd taken more naps.) The series creator is also apparently descended from real life “peakies” - the Sheldon brothers, who partly inspired the fictional Shelbys. Whilst some real female peakies (recognised by their long fringes) inspired the formidable character of Aunt Polly. As I started watching from the penultimate series onwards, I liked reading about other characters from the earlier series too and what certain ones were like in real life, such as Darby Sabini. I also found the old photos, testimonies and newspaper extracts really interesting - one photo shows the real-life Garrison Tavern. And I enjoyed finding out the similarities and differences between the series and real life, e.g. their haircuts and outfits. (Appropriately, in March, the Dales shop happened to have a “Peaky Blinders”-style hat on sale!) As little Moley will have sat this review out to hide behind a cushion, I've chosen a gentler read for next time. (“By order of” Moley...) In the meantime, he's going to catch up on the hour of sleep he missed when the clocks went forward!

All the best this Spring, Heather.

Spring Update

Hello from everyone at Emmaus Suffolk! Everybody hopes you have had a good week and you've been alright during the winter. Until the Spring weather starts properly, you can buy warm clothes at the Emmaus shops in Ipswich and Felixstowe, which are all warm places on cold days. And if you're struggling at the moment, the Emmaus hubs (at the Dales, Carr Street and Felixstowe shops and the Royal Oak on Felixstowe Road) are safe spaces. You can sit quietly with a cuppa or meet new people, whichever you're comfortable with. And at the Dales shop's new lunchtime hub, you're also welcome to a free panini/toastie, plus tea and coffee. Emmaus support workers will listen and support you in gaining confidence. They can also give advice and help with job applications etc.

In January, the Carr Street hub ran a craft activity in preparation for Easter. They provided polystyrene eggs for hub attendees to paint as Easter eggs, which was fun to try. The other attendees did a fantastic job. Tania, one of the hub coordinators, explained to me that, like the baubles on the Emmaus Giving Tree at the Royal Oak last December, these painted eggs will be like tokens, each representing a One-Pot-Wonder meal. (The “One-Pot-Wonder” offer is available to everyone, as at £3:50, it is affordable for all.) A donation of £5 contributes towards enabling Emmaus to continue the One-Pot-Wonder scheme. Over Easter, the Royal Oak will have a large clear tube to put the painted eggs into, so everyone can watch the number of donations growing. The idea was inspired by two things – one is the charity Social Bite, which began when a homeless man asked for a job in a coffee shop in Scotland. They offered him a job and soon also jobs to some other homeless people. Soon after, they started a system there called “Pay it Forward”, where customers could buy food that people struggling with homelessness could collect later on. The other inspiration is the film “Pay It Forward”, which is apparently based on a book of the same title by Catherine Ryan Hyde. (The film is available to view on YouTube.) It's about a boy who has an idea of doing 3 kind things for other people. All he asks in return is that those 3 people would then each do something kind for 3 other people, and so on. Following this pattern, the number of good deeds would quickly multiply to achieve a lot of good in the world. In the book and the film, these deeds are all big gestures, but in real life it doesn't have to be. You too can “pay it forward” by contributing £5 for the Emmaus One-Pot-Wonder scheme, donating items, purchasing something, or volunteering your time at one of the Emmaus sites, etc. The Carr Street hub attendees recently celebrated the anniversary of the Emmaus founder Abbé Pierre's “Uprising of Kindness” speech by surrounding his picture on a board with positive quotes.

Today I attended the first session of the new Emmaus hub at their Dales shop on Dales Road. There used to be a hub there before the Covid lockdowns, which I used to go to. They've now started it again and hopefully it will grow into a nice group again like at their other hubs. The activities in today's session were: colouring-in books, painting-by-numbers kits, games and puzzles. (If attendees would like crafts to be added, please let the staff know.) Like the other Emmaus hubs, this hub provides a warm space – as support worker Sean mentioned, attending can help you save a little on your energy bills, and warm cuppas are also provided for free. At this particular hub, they will also be providing a free toasted panini or toastie, whichever you prefer. The panini options are: BBQ Chicken, Ham + Cheese, Margherita Pizza and Tuna Melt. The toastie options are: Cheese + Onion, and Gluten Free 5 Cheese. (I tried the BBQ Chicken panini, which was really delicious and very warming.) I definitely recommend it and I'm looking forward to trying the other filling options at this hub in the future.) It can save you cooking lunch at home and it's in a comfy, warm and cosy corner of the shop, which has a friendly atmosphere. If you happen to be browsing in the Dales shop while the new hub is on, you're very welcome to join in and meet new people. Equally, attendees might spot a bargain in the shop during the session. Today I saw a plaque on sale, which might look nice in someone's home – it read: “Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful”. (Moley would no doubt agree because even though dogs can't eat paninis, he still thinks life is wonderful and perfect as he always has a good supply of dog treats!)

There's been some other lovely items in the Dales shop recently, which have found new homes. These include a dachshund-shaped doorstop, a set of Elmer-themed plates + bowls and some beautiful baby baskets. (Moley wouldn't have minded snoozing in one of those himself...) Currently, there are some pretty necklaces and jewellery stands, as well as The Hairy Bikers' Family Cookbook.

My first read to review from the Dales shop's bookshelves has been children's book, “The Star of Kazan”, by Eva Ibbotson. It's a great adventure/mystery, with lots of humour, and twists and turns. The good characters are all charming, and even some of the unkind characters have their nicer moments. And if you haven't been to Austria, Hungary, Germany or Switzerland, the book's beautiful descriptions take you on a journey through them all (as they once were) from the comfort of your home. I found a child's favourable review of it online, which is good to know. (Just to forewarn, however, there are some very sad moments too. Also, some characters are upsettingly cruel to animals, children, the elderly and mental health sufferers, reflecting certain attitudes of the setting – the early 1900's.) Moley approves that there's a dog character (called Hector) and is glad that Hector was saved from a brutal owner. Hector also plays an important role in solving the mystery!

Wednesday sessions have now resumed at the Dales shop's allotment. (11am-1pm) Last Wednesday, I pulled up the remaining beetroot plants, then turned over the soil around some onion shoots and broad bean shoots. Fellow volunteer David told me that turning over the soil brings up the weeds before they can get too big. It was nice to hear the birds singing and see how all the rain has helped the shoots to grow.

Master Moley would like to have the last word today, firstly with a reminder of the old saying: “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas.” As he's a rescue dog, he's so happy to have found his forever home with Mandy & Chris. He'd also like you to know about Emmaus's #BeMoreKind campaign to continue the legacy of Abbé Pierre's speech. (Raising money for the cause he started and encouraging a modern-day “Uprising of Kindness” in the world.) Moley recommends being kind to others, but also to yourself. He practices this by kindly cheering people up with cuddles, and thinking positive thoughts. (E.g. feeling proud of himself for being such a good boy, plus daydreaming about lunch...)

See you next time, Heather.

Happy January!

Happy New Year everyone!

Moley hopes that you had as festive a Christmas as he did and so does support dog Luna, who joined her owner, my friend (and fellow volunteer) Sarah at the Emmaus Christmas party for volunteers and companions. If this Christmas was a difficult time for any of you, Moley and Luna send their love. If you like dogs and are lucky enough to meet these two at an Emmaus site, both appreciate cuddles and the chance to rest their sweet heads on your arm. Also Luna can show dog owners exactly where the treats are kept at the Royal Oak.

Luckily the Christmas elves didn’t manage to eat all of the Royal Oak café’s homemade mince pies, so there were still plenty for everyone at the party – along with crisps, sausage rolls, a choice of main courses and hot and cold drinks. The afternoon also included a Christmas themed quiz, Christmas music and many Christmas jumpers being worn. Well done to all the quiz teams, and credit to the rest of the team I was in, for all of their right answers. Thanks to everyone that organised the party, delicious food, quiz, music and goodies for each person to take home.

The Royal Oak stayed extra busy that week with their excellent One Pot Wonder Christmas dinner (a bargain at just £3.50) including a vegetarian option along with sausage rolls, Santa themed hot chocolate and mince pies with ice-cream. A warm welcome was given to everyone including the excited children from the Kids & Carers club. The Christmas Giving Tree was decked with baubles – each one represented a donation to continue to provide hot meals for those in need. The tree raised a fantastic £1744.65. Another brilliant result is that Emmaus Suffolk provided 265 One Pot Wonder meals in December. Many thanks to everybody who donated to the Giving Tree and bought a One Pot Wonder meal – your contributions will enable Emmaus Suffolk to do so much good in your local community.

More wonderful news is that Emmaus Suffolk has received funding to continue the Singing for the Soul sessions at the Royal Oak on Friday mornings. You can be sure of a warm welcome whatever your singing ability and level of confidence (including from Luna who recommends a good sing song to cheer yourself up and help with any anxieties you have).

Looking for bargains this New Year. The Emmaus Suffolk shops have a great variety. From preloved clothes and furniture to homeware, garden supplies, PAT tested electricals, stationery, books, cds, dvds, toys, games, and puzzles. Along with jewellery, craft supplies, decorations, ornaments, sports equipment and if you’re looking to try new dishes, there are great cookery books.

I’ve been asked to sometimes include book reviews in the blog with books from the Emmaus shelves so I bought one to read over Christmas. As I read more slowly nowadays, I thought I would start with a children’s book aimed at 9-11 years which can also appeal to adults. It is called the Star of Kazan by Eve Ibbotson and its set in 1908. Although it doesn’t include magic, this story feels very magical. Like the characters Harry Potter and Lyra in ‘Northern Lights’, the main character Annika is an orphan and you can picture everything from the beautiful descriptions. Also for Downton Abbey fans, Annika grows up as a servant in Vienna and according to the blurb on the back, it turns out that her real mother is still alive and an aristocrat. Moley is looking forward to finding out what happens next…

If you like poetry, Moley approves of a Stevie Smith poem called ‘O Pug’ It mentions how pugs have lovely big eyes, get worried if their owners aren’t right next to them and how they snore a lot. Being a French Bulldog, Moley is a professional snorer and has amusingly demonstrated this morning during the lovely sleep he’s had in the office.

Moley wonders if you any of you have made New Year resolutions and how they are going? I haven’t but Moley’s resolution, as you can tell, is to take more naps. (Walking is a tiring business when you have little legs…) A New Year tradition is to make as much noise as possible when midnight strikes although achieving this by heavy snoring is more Moley’s cup of tea. Talking of which, you can get free cuppas at the Carr Street hubs and the Royal Oak café sells a great selection of hot drinks – while all of the shops sell a variety of mugs and cups. Maybe you’ll find just the right one to drink your daily brew from and toast the New Year.

Best wishes to you all in 2024

Heather

Community Corner

Community Corner

Season’s greetings everyone from the Emmaus Suffolk Family!

My name is Heather and I’ve been volunteering with Emmaus Suffolk in Ipswich for several years. Being a volunteer in the Dales Road shop, the allotment and with their upcycling has really helped my confidence with the support they offer and the chance to try out new things, the latest of which is this blog.

Emmaus Suffolk is like a big family, including Mandy’s lovely dog Moley, who is currently in the office trying to decide which is the most comfortable spot in the arm to rest in his head. He now seems to have found it as his eyes are closed very contentedly – as the saying goes, it’s a dog’s life!

There’s still time to get your Christmas shopping done at the Emmaus shops in Ipswich and Felixstowe. You’ll find something for everyone, from decorations and cards to cuddly toys and clothes. All purchases help Emmaus Suffolk to continue to support Suffolk people struggling with homelessness, unemployment and their mental health. Hubs at the Carr Street shop in Ipswich town centre and Felixstowe offer a safe warm space, company and support, including if you’re quiet like me. You can have a cuppa and a chat, enjoy crafting, play a board game or do a puzzle. (And there are biscuits too, if you have a sweet tooth.)

The Royal Oak also provides hot meals with their ‘One Pot Wonder’ offer and drinks, as well as a singing group, a Kids & Carers group and a Men’s Breakfast Hub. Whatever your circumstances and level of confidence, Emmaus Suffolk will give you a warm welcome (Dogs are welcome too, including in the shop areas at each site – some are regular visitors!)

The Christmas elves are up to their tricks again at the Royal Oak – you’ll see the evidence on the Emmaus Suffolk Facebook page! (This afternoon will be the volunteer Christmas party so hopefully they will have left some mince pies…). There’s also a Giving Tree there, which you can donate a present to. When you order a meal at the Royal Oak, there is an option to add a donation to the cost of your meal – this donation will be used to provide someone with a hot meal this Christmas.

Volunteers have been busy upcycling donated craft materials into Christmas decorations and cards, some of which are available in the Carr Street shop for a donation. They and the hub attendees also made Emmaus donation themed decorations for the Emmaus Suffolk Christmas Tree at St Mary-Le-Tower’s annual ‘Trees @ The Tower’ display.

The Dale Road shop also has a small community garden and allotment. This year, David and Dave planted a lot of vegetables including potatoes. It’s been interesting helping out at the allotment and seeing each week how much the veg has grown (some broad beans are sprouting at the moment.

Helping on the till is also interesting – you never know what’s going to donated. So far this winter, a lot of teddy bears have been donated along with an advent calendar with miniature books behind each door telling the Nativity story. (It sold quickly and the teddy bears found new forever homes too!)

As Moley happily settles down again after his pre-Christmas lunch, he and the team hope that you too can join us for some festive fun this Christmas time, whether it’s at the hubs, volunteering or browsing in the shops.

Warm Christmas wishes from everyone at Emmaus Suffolk!

p.s Moley has a Christmas cracker joke – “What do Santa’s little helpers learn at school? – The Elf-abet!” He also found out on Google that mince pies used to be lucky – back in the day, people thought that if you ate a mince pie every day during the twelve days of Christmas, you would get 12 months of good luck. Moley approves of this and is hunting for mince pie crumbs (although he know dogs can’t eat the filling)… he hopes it’s true and wishes you good luck too in 2024!

A Kinder Revolution

On Saturday 25th March 2023, we we’re very honoured to be chosen as a charity recipient for a brilliant music & poetry event, at the Gallery Theatre in Ipswich. The gig was headlined by the band ‘Fred & Charlie’ - one member of whom is a volunteer at Emmaus Suffolk - and support acts included Jon Alcock, Joe Lees, Carl Best, Piers Harrison-Reid, and poet Amy Wragg. Another huge thanks to the Mavericks for organising this very entertaining evening of talent, and for choosing to support Emmaus Suffolk.

Your support means the world to us

Got a few spare quid and want to support out work?

You can now donate online using a QR code (ooohh fancy!).

This code takes you straight to our PayPal Giving Fund page where you can choose from either a set amount, or an amount of your choice, to donate to Emmaus Suffolk.

100% of the donation goes to the charity (PayPal do NOT take any fee) and, as is our ethos, all monies raised in Suffolk stay in Suffolk.

Singing for the Soul

We are utterly delighted to announce a new, free weekly singing group, run by Andi Hogood from Suffolk Soul Singers, at The Royal Oak. The group meet every Friday morning, 10-11.30am, round the piano in our warm space. Its completely free, fun and informal. All ages and abilities welcome, lyrics will be provided.

The first session took place on Friday 20th January, singing a selection of great pop tunes through the ages. As time goes on, Andi will be asking participants to choose songs they want to sing so you’ll have chance to request some of your favourite songs too!

Have a listen below to a short interview with Andi about the project, and hear the new group in action. (2 minutes long)

The first (ever) Singing for the Soul session (Friday 20th January 2023)

How to Change Your Mind with author Melanie Green

We are delighted to be able to share another live recording from Work It Out with Emmaus Suffolk, featuring the fantastic local author Melanie Green, who joined us on the discussion based around ‘How to Change your Mind’.

Melanie Green, is a mother of two from Suffolk whose life was turned upside down when she received her cancer diagnosis in 2018, a week after her 48th birthday. She started writing a blog to process all of her emotions during treatment, which then evolved into her book But Seriously, Who Knew? Since her diagnosis, she has quit her job as a team leader in the Additional Learning Support department at Otley College, and is now living life to the full with her husband, Big G: travelling the world and working on book number two.

You can find Melanie’s awesome book, ‘But Seriously, Who Knew?’ for sale at Dial Lane Books (Ipswich), Woodbridge Books (Woodbridge), online through her website, and it can be borrowed for free from Suffolk Libraries.

A huge thank you to Melanie for joining Emmaus Suffolk and our other guests: Sean Trueman, and Sarah Jones, for a fantastic conversation around change, challenges, and overcoming adversity. We have included in this recording a contribution from her daughter Lauren (with permission) who was in the audience, for further context. Thank you to Lauren for agreeing to be a part of this recording.

We hope you enjoy these recordings as much as we loved hosting these awesome, and inspiring guests.

How to Change Your Mind

In 2022 we launched ‘Work It Out’ with Emmaus Suffolk, a series of talks and workshops based around employability, which took place at The Royal Oak Community Cafe (Felixstowe Road) last year.

This is the second talk in the series, called ‘How to Change Your Mind’, and it featured three amazing guests talking about their experiences with change (October 2022). The excerpt here is from the first guest on the panel, Sean Trueman, a support worker at Emmaus Suffolk talking about his journey to recovery.

Thank you SO MUCH for listening, and a HUGE thank you to our funder: New Anglia LEP Partnership, and Suffolk Community Foundation, for their support in making this project a reality.

Extra special thanks to our incredible guest, Sean Trueman, for sharing his inspirational story with us all. It truly is an emotional, honest, and beautiful speech from Sean. You might want to have a tissue close to hand…

TW: Addiction. Homelessness. Mental Health.