Ipswich: Emmaus Suffolk launches new kids and carers hub

Emmaus Suffolk is launching the new social group at its community warm space, The Royal Oak pub in Felixstowe Road, to support more carers and parents with young children.

The new kids and carers hub will have its launch on Wednesday, April 12 from 10am to 12pm.

The meeting is dedicated to families with children under 18 months who are not yet walking or crawling.

Kids & Carers Club in Royal Oak warm space, Emmaus Suffolk (Image: Emmaus Suffolk)

The charity also hosts a popular kids and carers hub on Thursdays from 10 am to 12 pm, welcoming parents, carers and pre-school children to The Royal Oak.

The participants have a chance to meet other families from the area, take part in numerous activities, and get support.

Attendees at the hub are also provided with a free lunch at the charity’s community café after the session. 

The popular hub attracts 20 families and their children every week, and the charity has now decided to expand the support service to include an additional session on Wednesdays.

Emma Francis, the community manager at Emmaus Suffolk, said: “We’ve been blown away by how popular the kids and carers club has been.

“It really shows how Ipswich needs this kind of space where people can feel connected and supported by its community.

“We’re excited to be able to welcome more people through our doors, especially families with younger children”.

Kids & Carers Club in Royal Oak Cafe, Emmaus Suffolk (Image: Emmaus Suffolk)

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The charity will also be relocating its drop-in hub based in Felixstowe to the Felixstowe Library in Crescent Road to allow more people to join the group.

The hub will run from 2pm to 4pm every Wednesday and welcomes anyone to join for arts and crafts activities, board games or a friendly conversation with the well-being team.

Emmaus Suffolk similarly hosts drop-in and creative upcycling hubs in Sailmakers Shopping Centre in Ipswich.