30 local construction and building firms have come together to start work on a vital new food bank for Ipswich charity FIND (Families in Need).
The former sports changing rooms adjacent to Gainsborough Sports Centre are being completely remodelled and refurbished to provide space for FIND to run the food bank and be a headquarters for the charity’s work.
The building requires significant refurbishment before FIND can move in, including asbestos removal, internal demolition to combine rooms, a new roof and fascia, new fully functional kitchen, heating and water, carpets, doors, fittings, car park and signage. The new foodbank is expected to open this autumn.
Construction work is being carried out by a united team of local building firms, led by Barnes Construction and includes Castons, MLM Group, Johns Slater and Haward Consulting, Hooper Architects, Barker Gotelee, Kadec, CCAS, Survey Solutions, and many more.
Maureen Reynel MBE, founder of FIND, said: “It’s fantastic to see the first beginnings of our new home and we can’t wait to move in and help families, children and individuals who find themselves in poverty and crisis in the Ipswich area.
“I’d once again like to personally thank the brilliant members of the building and construction trade who have come together to make this happen.
“We’ve made great progress and are now calling on the community – schools, businesses and anyone else – to help our final push to reach our £100,000 target.”
FIND 50 businesses and organisations who have raised or donated £2,000 or more for the building appeal since January 2018 include East of England Co-op, Genesis, Suffolk Community Foundation, Ipswich Building Society, Ipswich East Rotary, Greyfriars Roundtable, The Ipswich Mayor’s Charity, Ipswich School, Scrutton Bland Foundation, Playtech, Hadleigh Baptist Church, 964 Consulting, New Zealand In Depth Travel, and the University of Suffolk.
Planning approval for the new premises in Brazier’s Wood Road was granted last year by Ipswich Borough Council. The authority also helped to identify the site.
Ipswich Borough Council Leader David Ellesmere said: “The Council is a long-time supporter of FIND. We are very pleased to have been able to locate a suitable site for their new premises and help fund the redevelopment. We all now look forward to its completion and continuing valuable work in the community.”
FIND helps people who find it difficult to care for themselves at some point in their life. The demand for food parcels and other items has grown year on year and doubled in 2018 to over 6,000 (over 100 per week), stretching the charity’s 80 or more volunteers, who have been working in cramped and unheated facilities.
As well as food parcels, FIND provides white goods, beds, bedding, school uniforms, nappies and more.
Businesses, schools, churches and individual donors have already raised £76,325 for the FIND 50 appeal which is continuing through 2019.
The FIND 50 Lifeline Appeal is organised voluntarily by local PR and digital marketing agency Genesis. For more information about FIND and the FIND 50 appeal, which is inviting individuals, local companies and schools to each raise £2,000, see www.findipswich.org.uk or email FIND50@genesispr.co.uk.
