The aim of this innovative collaboration is to create a building that will provide a quiet and beautiful sanctuary in a busy, historic market town. St Mary at the Quay will be a flexible and welcoming community space which is open to all. It will offer wellbeing and heritage activities, a centre for local events, complementary therapy as well as a café. The St Mary at the Quay project will:

• restore and rejuvenate an ancient building
• create a sanctuary with a sensory medieval garden
• reinstate significant heritage features making them accessible to all
• link wellbeing and heritage in an innovative way
• tell the diverse history of Ipswich waterfront in an engaging and interactive way
• provide restored and modern facilities for community wellbeing and heritage activities.

Sue Gray, Business Development, Suffolk Mind, said: “This is an exciting project that we hope will give people living in the community the opportunity to learn about how to improve their emotional health and wellbeing. We would like to thank all those who have supported our bid including Ben Gummer MP, Ipswich Borough Council, Ipswich Borough councillors and of course our partners, the Church Conservation Trust. The HLF grant will help us to make this project a reality.”

Robyn Llewellyn, Head of HLF East of England, said: “This is an innovative project which unites two very different charities with the shared aim of creating a community wellbeing centre. We loved the idea of a redundant medieval church being brought back to life and once more becoming a key element in rejuvenating Ipswich’s waterfront area. Volunteering will be key to the success of this community-led project – something that we champion at the Heritage Lottery Fund and also very much in the spirit of last summer’s Olympic and Paralymic Games.”

Notes to editors

Suffolk Mind is affiliated to Mind National and is committed to improving the lives of people with mental health issues. It is an independent charity that works alongside NHS providers to fill the gaps in service that are not routinely provided by the NHS. Suffolk Mind raises money from a number of sources to fund the services it provides including charitable donations and grants from statutory organisations such as the County Council and the Mental Health Partnership Trust. Suffolk Mind website

Further information

Katie Owen, HLF press office on 020 7591 6036 / 07973 613 820

Julian Tyndale-Biscoe (Trustee) on 07882 985 597 or julian.tb@inhealthcomms.com