Background
All Hallows Top Up Shop operates from All Hallows Church on Landseer Road in Ipswich and is part of the wider Ipswich Top Up Shops network. Led by Reverend Emma Haggar, who has been vicar at All Hallows for the past two and a half years, the project provides affordable food and essential items to local residents while also creating a welcoming social space rooted in dignity and respect.
Emma has placed strong emphasis on ensuring the top up shop feels more than transactional. While food access is central, the project also focuses on connection, kindness, and creating a space where people feel comfortable, known, and valued.
How it Works
The top up shop runs every Tuesday morning from 9:00–10:00am, with volunteers setting up the space the evening before. Many attendees arrive early to socialise, enjoy a cup of tea, and spend time with others, reflecting the strong community element that has naturally developed around the provision.
The shop follows the Ipswich Top Up Shop model. Once volunteers have selected food for their own households, attendees are welcomed into the hall in order of arrival and given a numbered token. For a £2 contribution (or less where affordability is a real issue) households can select one bag of food, with guidance in place to ensure fair access across all sections.
Food is laid out on tables to create a familiar, shop-style experience. Items typically include fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, tinned food, pasta or rice, household cleaning products, toiletries, nappies, and pet food. Tokens are also provided for nappies, pet food, and second bags where attendees are collecting food for a neighbour or someone who is housebound, subject to approval. Attendees are encouraged to shop for others such as a friend, neighbour or family member in need within their local community which helps bridge accessibility limitations.
Volunteers are present throughout to welcome attendees, offer conversation, and help maintain a calm, friendly atmosphere. The space is intentionally warm and inviting, with music played on the organ to reinforce the sense that this is a community space rather than a crisis service.
Food is sourced through a combination of supermarket collections and partnerships. Regular pickups are made from Lidl and Tesco, alongside supplies accessed through the Foodiverse app. In Kind Direct provides period products and toiletries at low cost, and pet food is supplied monthly through Boomerang.
The project has been particularly successful in redirecting surplus bread and fresh produce that would otherwise be wasted, ensuring good quality food reaches local households. Leftover food is either stored for future sessions, taken by volunteers, or redistributed through the local library.
Who the Project Supports
Attendance varies between 30 and 65 people per session, with no fixed pattern week to week. Most attendees live in the IP3 area, though no one is turned away based on postcode. The top up shop operates on an open access model, with no referrals required. Basic household information is collected for monitoring and data purposes only.
Many people attend for both practical and social reasons. Some rely on the food support, while others come primarily for the sense of connection, routine, and belonging that the space offers. Over time, friendships have formed, and regular attendees often look out for one another.
Positive Impact
The strongest impact of the All Hallows Top Up Shop is the sense of community it has created. Attendees show respect for one another, taking only what they need and understanding the importance of fairness. The environment has become calmer and less competitive over time, with a noticeable shift towards a more relaxed and supportive atmosphere.
There is also increasing consistency in the food offer, with households typically able to access fresh produce, a protein item, cupboard staples, bread, toiletries, and pet food. This reliability helps people plan and reduces anxiety around food access.
For many, the top up shop is as much about connection as it is about food. People attend to talk, share experiences, and feel part of something local and welcoming. This social aspect has become central to the project’s identity.
Future Plans
Beyond the Top Up Shop, All Hallows Church offers a range of community-focused activities to support connection and wellbeing. Monthly coffee mornings provide a friendly space to socialise, while the toddler group supports families and carers, with attendance steadily increasing. Seasonal events, such as the Halloween Treat and Trail, reach hundreds of local children, and second-hand school uniforms help families manage costs.
Future plans include a children’s choir, a men’s wellbeing project, and simple online cooking guidance to help attendees make use of donated fruit and vegetables. The Wilder Church Yard Project reflects the church’s commitment to sustainability and community engagement. These initiatives complement the Top Up Shop, fostering social connection, skill-building, and long-term community resilience. While some ideas have been paused due to capacity, the ambition to broaden community support remains strong.
Challenges
Despite its success, the top up shop faces a number of ongoing challenges. Storage space is limited, theft during sessions can be an issue, and food collection relies heavily on just two volunteers with access to transport. The departure of a key volunteer who previously helped run the shop has left a noticeable gap, prompting a review of processes and roles.
Volunteer confidence is another challenge. While many are willing to help, fewer feel able to take on leadership or signposting responsibilities. Emma currently carries much of the responsibility for coordination, decision-making, and supporting attendees, alongside her wider role as vicar.
Funding remains a constant concern. A £10,000 National Lottery grant has been vital in sustaining the project, but funds are now running low, creating uncertainty for the future. All profits from the top up shop are directly poured back into the provision however there often isn’t budget for improvements and development.
Support Needs
All Hallows Top Up Shop would benefit from additional volunteers, particularly people who can help with food collection, organisation, and leadership. Individuals with experience in shop management, logistics, or people management would be especially valuable.
Further funding is needed to support food purchasing, improve storage with additional shelving, and replace essential equipment such as leaking kettles. There is also a clear need for someone dedicated to social engagement and signposting, allowing attendees to be gently connected to wider support services when needed.
Key Learning from 2025
Over the past year, the project has learned that the social element of food provision is just as important as the food itself. Creating a welcoming, calm environment has reduced tension, improved behaviour, and strengthened community relationships. At the same time, the experience has highlighted the importance of resilient systems, shared leadership, and professional support to avoid over-reliance on one individual.
Community Action Suffolk has supported All Hallows Top Up Shop through network communications, funding information, and signposting to training and leadership opportunities. Guidance and application materials for the ‘Sustainable Community Food Fund’ have been provided, alongside introductions to relevant support services. Looking ahead, All Hallows would welcome continued support with grant applications, volunteer development, and connections to organisations that can strengthen signposting and community engagement, helping ensure the Top Up Shop remains sustainable and responsive to local need.
