A church project to cut rural isolation and help alleviate food poverty in Suffolk has become so popular that up to 100 parents and children attend events.
Pop-Up events were started by St Mary’s Church, Hadleigh, in a bid to promote a community spirit for those struggling in the wake of the covid pandemic.They also became a warm space for residents and villagers finding it difficult to pay for soaring energy costs or have a hot meal. The majority of attendees come from Hadleigh, however some people travel to the town and events are also supported by Ukrainians and military families.
The free events were launched in July 2022 and from an initial 30 people they have become so popular that sometimes more than 100 come to the church.
Events have included weekly free meals, children’s activities, crafts and a Christmas party. Elderly visitors enjoy socialising. Marylou Delfgou, volunteer coordinator for the Pop-Ups and an elder in the benefice, said: ‘‘In 2023, due to the positive response to the Pop-Ups and because of our ongoing concern as a church about food poverty, economic challenges, soaring energy costs, and social isolation, we expanded the Pop-Ups. In addition to the weekly Thursday lunch time school holiday Pop-Ups, we offered twice monthly Pop-Ups on Wednesday afternoons in term time from 2pm - 5.30pm. Our rationale was to try to make this event more accessible to the wider community, not just to families with children, but to older people, people on their own, and, indeed, anyone who might like some food, a cup of tea or coffee, a chat and a warm welcome.’’
She added: ‘‘We provide a place where all are welcome and all are fed. Our wonderful volunteers aged from 15 to over 90 come from St Mary’s, Hadleigh; St Andrew’s, Layham, and All Saints, Shelley, and from the local Catholic and URC churches in Hadleigh, as well as the wider community. Four of our volunteers are teenagers from Hadleigh High School who help us as part of their Duke of Edinburgh voluntary work. We have about 20 volunteers each session.’’
In the previous 12 months 32 Pop-Ups have been held with attendances ranging from 55 to 148, averaging 96 a session.
Financial support comes from church members, Hadleigh Town Council, charities and a local business. Food was supplied by Morrisons in the first few months. One attendee, Zoe, who brings along her two young children, Sully (aged 7) and Harmony (aged 3), said: ‘‘We really appreciate the warm welcome, food and a safe place to chat and enjoy ourselves. The church building is being used as a community space and it is fun, noisy and lively which brightens up our day.’’