Suffolk charities are in urgent need for additional funding, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to slash fundraising platforms and bring new challenges.
It s quite the challenge for us now as we ll be relaunching the school in September and rely on giving to keep going. We are kept going by grants, funds, the kindness of individuals and charge a very small fee to our pupils. Teaching materials, expenses, they re a never-ending cost and we also provide a creche for our students who have children.
The charity s lessons are for people looking to learn English or improve their language skills to get better jobs
- Credit: Philip Charles
The school teaches people from up to 40 different nationalities who have made Ipswich their home. Some need lessons from scratch, while others want to improve their English so they can apply for better jobs.
Since December, I’ve been supporting the vaccination rollout and it’s been a fantastic experience. It s a happy environment to be in, and the patients are so appreciative. In addition to the clinical team, I work with a team of 80 volunteers. It s a two-way thing, you are helping deliver vaccinations to thousands of people which is incredible, but for volunteers, it also gives an enormous boost of wellbeing. I’d recommend it wholeheartedly!
Colette Burgess, a retired nurse, is one of the many retired NHS workers who have returned to work to help with coronavirus vaccinations.
The 60-year-old now works with the research and development team at West Suffolk Hospital on a Covid-19 study and also works with the vaccination team.
Inspirational women of lockdown in Norfolk and Suffolk eveningnews24.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from eveningnews24.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Community hero Funmi Akinriboya supports communities across Ipswich
- Credit: Sarah Lucy Brown
An Ipswich woman has told of her efforts to help support and integrate underrepresented communities in the town.
Funmi Akinriboya is originally from Nigeria but has been living in Ipswich for the past four and a half years from where she runs the BME Suffolk Support Group.
The group has been going from strength to strength in recent years. It s been a privilege to see these groups blossom in the last two years, said Miss Akinriboya.
“We are doing amazingly well and making sure these groups are well supported.