Feel Good Suffolk is raising awareness of this year’s Stoptober campaign and the support it offers for any smokers in the county who want to stop.
Since launching in 2012, Stoptober has helped millions of people across the country to quit smoking for good by encouraging them to stop smoking for the month of October. Research shows that staying smoke-free for 28 days means you are up to five times more likely to quit for good.
The Stoptober campaign has the tagline of ‘Lets quit smoking together’ and Feel Good Suffolk is reassuring smokers there is a range of free help and support available.
Further information found here.
The service, funded by NHS England, runs from September 2026 until March 2027 and aims to support individuals living in the East of England who are experiencing gambling-related harms, as well as family members, friends and colleagues who are being impacted by someone’s gambling.
Research highlights that around 1 in 7 adults in the UK have experienced, or are at risk of experiencing, gambling-related harms. The impact can extend beyond financial difficulties and affect mental health, relationships, physical wellbeing and performance at work and/or school. Gambling includes online casino games, dog/horse racing, computer gaming, sports betting, scratch cards, slot machines, fixed odds betting terminals and rapid day trading (shares, cryptocurrencies).
Support available includes:
Both workshops are open to those experiencing a gambling addiction, those impacted by someone else’s addiction and anyone in a professional role who may encounter someone experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, gambling-related harms. Please consider signposting anyone who may benefit from the support detailed above. Suffolk Mind accepts self-referrals, and you can also refer on someone else’s behalf.
Services can be accessed by:
📞 0300 111 6000
🌐 www.suffolkmind.org.uk/services/gambling-harms
📝 Self-referral form: www.suffolkmind.org.uk/self-referral-form
✉️ info@suffolkmind.org.uk
Skylarks is a fun and friendly singing group for people living with Parkinson’s and their companions.
East Suffolk Skylarks groups use techniques based on years of research to help those with Parkinson’s to maintain or improve their psychological and physical wellbeing through taking part in regular singing activity.
Britten Pears Arts are offering free music sessions in the Community to those in later life who may be living with dementia, long-term health conditions, Parkinsons or are possibly socially isolated.
Their sessions are delivered by a range of professional artists who are trained to work in a community setting and their staff have received training to support those living with dementia.
They’re currently delivering sessions in Kesgrave, Woodbridge, Saxmundham, Leiston and Snape and the workshops are fun, engaging, and interactive; our participants benefit from the wellbeing music offers. There is also transport support available in some of our locations.
Britten Pears Arts are offering free music sessions in the Community to those in later life who may be living with dementia, long-term health conditions, Parkinsons or are possibly socially isolated.
Their sessions are delivered by a range of professional artists who are trained to work in a community setting and the staff have received training to support those living with dementia.
They’re currently delivering sessions in Kesgrave, Woodbridge, Saxmundham, Leiston and Snape and the workshops are fun, engaging, and interactive; our participants benefit from the wellbeing music offers. There is also transport support available in some of our locations.
Britten Pears Arts are offering free music sessions in the Community to those in later life who may be living with dementia, long-term health conditions, Parkinsons or are possibly socially isolated.
Their sessions are delivered by a range of professional artists who are trained to work in a community setting and our staff have received training to support those living with dementia.
They’re currently delivering sessions in Kesgrave, Woodbridge, Saxmundham, Leiston and Snape and the workshops are fun, engaging, and interactive; our participants benefit from the wellbeing music offers. There is also transport support available in some of our locations.
Britten Pear Arts are offering free music sessions in the Community to those in later life who may be living with dementia, long-term health conditions, Parkinsons or are possibly socially isolated.
Their sessions are delivered by a range of professional artists who are trained to work in a community setting and their staff have received training to support those living with dementia.
They’re currently deliver sessions in Kesgrave, Woodbridge, Saxmundham, Leiston and Snape and the workshops are fun, engaging, and interactive; our participants benefit from the wellbeing music offers. There is also transport support available in some of our locations.
A free ‘Autumn Family Fun‘ event is happening on Sunday, 11th October, from 11am – 2pm at the Palgrave Community Centre, 10 Upper Rose Lane, Palgrave IP22 1AP.
There will be a variety of activities, including a variety of crafts, board games and outdoor sports. For more information on the event: tel: George on 07507 862660
Suffolk Sight have three up and coming Coffee and Chat Days taking place at the Newmarket Day Centre Fred Archer Way, Newmarket, CB8 8NT. Monthly dates on Wednesdays: 7th October, 4th November & 2nd December from 10am – 11.30am.
If you or someone you know are living with sight loss, it is and opportunity to meet and chat with the friendly team to find out about the support and guidance available based on your individual sight loss needs.
They can help with:
For more information call Suffolk Sight on 01473 611011
Realise Futures are running a ‘Confidence in using a Slow Cooker’ course that will take place on Mondays 12th, 19th & 26th October from 9.30am – 12.30pm at the Stowmarket Adult Learning Centre IP14 1AB.
After completing the course you will be gifted a slow cooker to give you the opportunity to keep practicing at home and building on knowledge and skills gained on the course
The course will include:
For more information on the course contact Realise Futures on 0300 456 2050
Wellbeing Suffolk are hosting their first Men’s Health & Wellbeing Event from 10am – 2pm on Saturday, 10th October at Bury St Edmunds Library, Sergeants Walk, 2B St Andrew’s Street North, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1TZ
An informal friendly information event that gives men the opportunity to talke about their health and wellbeing and find out about the support, activities and services that are available locally.
Realise Futures are running a ‘Confidence & Wellbeing Course‘ from the 2nd – 23rd October, 10am –1.30pm at the Stowmarket Learning Centre 27 Ipswich Street, Stowmarket IP14 1AB.
The course will explore:
To book your place or find out more Tel: 0300 456 2050 or email: info@rlearn.co.uk
Realise Futures are running a Level 1 Mental Health Awareness course that explores the impact of mental health issues, social and personal influences, cultural diversity, and how we respond to mental health challenges.
Workshop: Thursday 8 October, 10.00am to 1.00pm
Course Dates: 9, 16 & 23 October and 22 & 26 November 2026
Venue: Stowmarket Learning Centre, IP14 1AB
To book a place tel: 0300 456 2050 or email: info@rlearn.co.uk
The East Suffolk Disability Information Day is taking place at the Felixstowe Trades and Labour Club, 182 High Road West, Felixstowe, IP11 9BB on Tuesday, 6th October from 9:30am – 12:30pm.
The event is free to attend and is for thoses living with a disability, their families, carers, and healthcare, professionals. It will feature guest speakers and a variety of information stalls where you can find out what help and support services are available locally.
Complimentary refreshments will be provided throughout the event.
Elders in the Woods a wellbeing project for those aged 60+ and takes place in Kaliwoods, Holton, Halesworth IP19 8NQ. The Autumn term starts on Thursday 17th September, 12pm – 3pm with dates running weekly on Thursdays until 17th December.
Exploring seeds – physical seeds of trees to plant as well as seeds of our lives.
For all the details and dates visit their website
As part of the First Light Festival in Lowestoft, Spellbound By Books is a free fun family day of stories and activities taking place on Saturday, 10th October from 10am – 4pm at East Point Pavilion, Royal Plain, Lowestoft NR33 0AP
The event will include:
This book day event has been created in partnership with First Light Lowestoft, National Litracy Trust in Suffolk, Suffolk County Council and Sizwell C
The National Autistic Society’s Teen Life Programme aims to empower parents/carers to understand more about autism and to discuss useful strategies in how to support their young person.
Their course is open to parents and carers of autistic teen (10-16 years) with a confirmed diagnosis (within the last 2 years) living in Suffolk.
Upcoming courses will be in Lowestoft and Saxmundham starting in September 2026, and will be hosting in other towns across Suffolk later in the year.
For more information or to book a place on the course, please contact them at: teenlifesuffolk@family-action.org.uk or visit Teen Life Suffolk – Family Action
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