Information from Lesley Ford-Platt via Gill Phillips

Hive is a Sudbury-based charity (Reg CIO 1165566) which provides a forum for the local voluntary and community sector to enable sharing of knowledge and expertise and offers free training courses (e.g. First Aid, Managing volunteers, Fundraising, etc.).  It also organises a bi-annual Volunteer Awards ceremony which recognises the work of members of the local voluntary and community sector.  There are about 80 members on their mailing list, including organisations like Social Services, the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Kernos Centre, Befriending, Sudbury Market Town Partnership, other local charities, local authorities, etc. and, until the pandemic, members of the forum met every quarter.  The web site is www.sudburyhive.org.uk.

Since Christ Church URC in School Street, Sudbury, was closed over three years’ ago, Hive has been in negotiations with the trustees of the Eastern Region Synod of the United Reformed Church and has worked on raising sufficient funding to buy the former Church and its halls.  On Friday 1 October, the purchase was completed and the building became the Hive Community Hub.The new Hive Hub will offer rooms and halls for hire (at very reasonable rates!) and will give further support to local voluntary and community sector groups by offering them a base from which to provide their services and activities.  Gareth Cole, a Hive Trustee and Treasurer, will be pleased to deal with enquiries about the Hive Community Hub, 07771 893702 , email enquiries@sudburyhive.org.uk. 

We will be promoting the Hive Community Hub (and our need for more Trustees) at the event on 7 October in Sudbury Market.