Donate

At the Annual General Meeting of the congregation, we chose to support The Shelley Centre in the coming year. Two of our members have a link with this charity, as one has a granddaughter and another a great nephew who have both benefitted from what is on offer.

At present their waiting list is closed as they do not have the resources to cope with the therapeutic needs from within the community.

The Shelley Centre is a member of the UK-wide Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA). On the Charity Commission’s website, here’s how they describe their work: “[as] an independent charity we provide riding for the health & wellbeing for children and adults with physical and learning disabilities. We not only teach riding skills but use the horse for therapy through exercise. We work five days a week during term time with approx. 130 riders a year and 90 volunteers “

Initially helping children from Belstead Special School starting in 1979, the Shelley Centre became an independent local charity in 1999 called The Hadleigh RDA Group. In 2001 the name was changed to The Shelley Centre.

The volunteers work hard to raise the £90,000 per annum to keep the centre running. Costs are for maintenance, equipment, horse feed, tack & new horses etc. Throughout the year they hold a variety of different events including a stall at the Hadleigh Show, a bingo evening and quiz night.

If you wish to donate to Ipswich Unitarian House, we have a card machine at the Meeting House that can take donations, as well as a donations box for any change. We are open to the public in the day time through the Summer months and for Meeting from 10:30 to 12:00 every Sunday of the year.

If you are keen to support the Meeting House as a historical building rather than primarily as a site of worship, you are warmly encouraged to join the Friends of the Meeting House, with annual member fees of just £12 for individuals. Please click the link to find out more.