The PHOEBE Centre, based at 6 Great Colman Street in Ipswich, is a specialist charity supporting women and children across Suffolk, with a particular focus on those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. PHOEBE was established to reduce stress, build self-esteem, and provide meaningful psychosocial support through a combination of practical help, emotional support, and community connection.
Led by CEO Mollin Delve, the Centre is run by a dedicated team of seven staff members and supported by volunteers, including grandmothers who assist mothers and others who contribute across a range of activities. The provision delivers counselling, advocacy, youth activities, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes, wellbeing sessions, and weekly food bank support. Many activities include shared meals, recognising the important role food plays in bringing people together, reducing isolation, and creating a welcoming, safe space.
How it Works
PHOEBE operates a weekly programme of activities designed to support women, children, and families. These include cooking and cultural food sessions, youth engagement activities during half terms and on Fridays, counselling, ESOL classes, and wider social and wellbeing support.
Food is central to many of these sessions. Cooking activities give participants the opportunity to learn new skills, explore cultural traditions, and share meals together. These shared experiences help build confidence, encourage conversation, and strengthen relationships within the group. Run alongside group activities is a food bank providing essential groceries to families experiencing financial hardship. This ensures immediate practical support is available while individuals also access longer-term emotional and social support through the centre’s wider services.
Who the Project Supports
The PHOEBE Centre supports women and children across Suffolk who may be experiencing social isolation, financial pressure, or emotional and psychological challenges. Many attendees come from diverse cultural backgrounds and may face additional barriers to accessing mainstream services.
The PHOEBE Centre provides a safe, inclusive environment where individuals can seek support without judgement. Through food provision, shared meals, youth activities, counselling, and wellbeing sessions, adopting a holistic approach, supporting mental, physical, and emotional health while helping families to build confidence and social connections.
Positive Impact
Over the past 12 months, PHOEBE has seen increased engagement, particularly through its cooking sessions. These sessions have brought together women from different cultural backgrounds to learn, cook, and eat together, encouraging skills development as well as meaningful social interaction.
Participants consistently report that these sessions offer more than practical cooking skills. Many describe the centre as a place where they feel safe, supported, and understood. Sharing meals helps reduce loneliness, strengthens relationships, and creates a strong sense of belonging.
Through a combined approach, offering food bank support alongside hot meals and group activities, ensures families receive both nutritional support and opportunities to connect with others. This integrated model has helped build confidence, reduce isolation, and improve overall wellbeing for women and children attending the centre.
Future Plans
PHOEBE plans to expand its cooking programme, including introducing slow cooker and air fryer sessions, and increasing the number of sessions offered at its West Suffolk location in Newmarket. The Centre aims to broaden its reach while maintaining the personal, supportive nature of its services.
Additional volunteer training, particularly around governance and safeguarding, will support this growth. PHOEBE continues to explore funding opportunities to cover equipment, ingredients, and volunteer support, ensuring activities remain accessible and culturally inclusive. Collaboration with other organisations remains a key part of strengthening and diversifying the centre’s offer.
Challenges
There are several ongoing challenges, including maintenance issues with kitchen appliances, reliance on limited funding, and the need for additional trained volunteers. Delivering regular hot meals and cooking sessions can be difficult without sufficient resources and infrastructure, particularly as demand for services continues to grow.
Support Needs
PHOEBE would benefit from further funding to deliver additional cooking sessions, provide volunteer training, and maintain essential equipment. Support with governance, safeguarding, and volunteer development is also welcomed.
Public support plays an important role in sustaining the centre’s work. Donations, referrals, and partnerships help reach more women and children and continue providing a safe, supportive environment for learning, connection, and wellbeing.
Key Learning from 2025
Over the past year, PHOEBE has seen first-hand how shared meals and cooking sessions can transform lives. These activities not only teach practical skills but also create space for connection, cultural exchange, and emotional support. Food has proven to be a powerful tool for building trust, improving wellbeing, and strengthening community.
Community Action Suffolk supported PHOEBE with its application to the Sustainable Community Food Fund, securing £4,560 to contribute towards volunteer expenses and a FareShare subscription. Funding enabled them to purchase ingredients for cooking sessions, supporting skill development, cultural exchange, and shared meals. Continued funding will help sustain and expand these activities across Suffolk.
PHOEBE is open to future grant opportunities and welcomes CAS’ support with applications, connecting them to social events and Food Network sessions. This ongoing relationship supports organisational development and helps connect PHOEBE with like-minded charities and community initiatives across Suffolk.
