12,000 copies of the magazine are distributed throughout Suffolk. To request copies please contact the editor.
12,000 copies of the magazine are distributed throughout Suffolk. To request copies please contact the editor.
Welcome
Welcome
Welcome to our first issue of 2026. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and wish you a happy and healthy year ahead.
Welcome to our new spring issue. After the long winter months, the thought of longer days and brighter weather is a welcome change. In this edition you’ll find advice from Abbeycroft on fun, practical ways to get families moving, with simple ideas to make staying active enjoyable for all ages.
I’m delighted to introduce two new regular features launching this year. We’re pleased to welcome Ellison Solicitors as our Family Law experts, who will be sharing helpful advice and guidance for families. We’re also excited to have Gladwells Pets and Country Stores supporting our new Family Pets feature, offering tips and insights for animal-loving households.
In our Family Law feature, we explore Resolution Together, an alternative approach to resolving separation matters, and in our Education feature, we look at why the early years matter more than you might think, and how those first years shape future learning, confidence and wellbeing.
We hope this issue leaves you feeling inspired and ready to make the most of the season ahead.
You’ll also find our brand-new Clubs & Classes Directory in this issue. If you’re looking to try something new or find activities for your family, be sure to turn to page 6.
Best wishes,
I hope you enjoy the issue.
Stacey Phillips
Here is our TOP 10 guide to family days out this Spring:
6 Day out with Thomas
The Big Play is back in Ipswich for a second year! Hosted by Little City - All your favourite children's activities all in one place, and all for one price!
Saturday 21st March | Ipswich www.thebigplay.co.uk
2 Easter Family PantoThe Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid Easter Panto is packed with brilliant dance routines, well known pop songs, lots of audience participation and plenty of laughter for all the family!
Sunday 29th March | Ipswich Regent www.ipswichtheatres.co.uk
3
Kesgrave Community and Conference Centre are hosting an afternoon packed with family fun, including disco and games. Sunday 29th March | Kesgrave www.kwmcc.co.uk
4
1 Hoppy Easter Family Party Cuddle a Lamb!
Baylham House Farm are hosting their annual lambing event. Available daily, this event is included in farm entry. Open 7 days a week during March & April | Needham Market www.baylham-house-farm.co.uk
5 The Detective Dog The Big Play - Ipswich
This dramatisation of The Detective Dog is based on the picture book by Julia Donaldson. Expect captivating puppetry, surprising smells and toe-tapping music. Sun 29th & Mon 30th March | Haverhill www.haverhillartscentre.co.uk
Enjoy a full day of fun with the whole family, including unlimited rides behind Thomas, a REAL steam engine! Fri 3rd - Mon 6th April | East Anglian Railway Museum www.earm.co.uk
Join a circus performer and Britten Sinfonia in this enchanting family concert featuring an adaptation of the book Leon and the Place Between. Sun 12th April | The Apex, BSE www.theapex.co.uk
8
7 Britten Sinfonia Family Concert Spring Fun at Easton Farm Park
Enjoy all the fun at the farm, plus seasonal activities including egg collecting, meeting the piglets, chicks, lambs and bunnies. Open Daily 10am - 4pm www.eastonfarmpark.co.uk
9 Beyond Labels
As part of the Beyond Labels Project, The Hold are offering a range of FREE and inclusive events and activities, including low sensory family crafts. See website for dates | The Hold, Ipswich www.suffolkarchives.co.uk/whats-on
10 East Anglian Game & Country Fair
From thrilling main arena events, country sports and gundog displays to falconry, fishing and delicious local food there is something for everyone to enjoy. 25th & 26th April | Euston Estate, Thetford www.ukgamefair.co.uk
Spring Into Action: Fun Ways to Get the Whole Family Moving
As the days grow longer and the first signs of blossom appear, spring is the perfect time to shake off winter routines and help the whole family get active again. You don’t need expensive equipment or packed schedules – just a little fresh air, a sense of adventure and a willingness to have fun together.
After months of darker evenings and cosy indoor activities, children naturally have more energy to burn in spring. Lighter mornings and milder temperatures make it easier to head outside after school or on weekends. Even a simple family walk can feel like an adventure when you turn it into a mini treasure hunt – spotting daffodils, listening for birdsong or counting how many dogs you pass along the way.
Local parks and green spaces are brilliant (and free) places to start. Take a football, a frisbee or a skipping rope and let children lead the play. Climbing frames, balance beams and open grass areas help build strength, coordination and confidence – all while feeling like pure fun. If you have bikes or scooters tucked away in the shed, now’s the time to dust them off and explore local cycle paths together.
Spring is also a great opportunity to try something new as a family. Many leisure centres and community groups launch fresh activities at this time of year – from swimming lessons and family
fitness classes to junior sports clubs. For younger children, soft play and parent-and-child movement sessions can help develop key motor skills, while older children might enjoy team sports or learning a new skill such as climbing or gymnastics.
If weekends are busy, think small and simple during the week. A 20-minute kickabout before dinner, a scoot to school, or a family dance session in the kitchen all count. The key is consistency and making movement part of everyday life rather than a chore.
Most importantly, keep it positive. Celebrate effort over achievement and focus on the smiles, not the score. When children see activity as something joyful and shared, they’re far more likely to build healthy habits that last well beyond the spring sunshine.
Clubs & Classes Directory
Little Kickers give your children a positive introduction to sport by teaching high quality football skills in a friendly, pressure-free environment. There are four different classes tailored to the needs of children between 18 months - 8yrs
Find out more and sign up to a local class.
Mini-First Aid classes are designed to be relaxed, accessible, and confidence-boosting, giving you the knowledge and skills to act in a medical emergency. Sessions are available for the whole family, including parents, grandparents, carers, and children from 3yrs,
Find out more and sign up to a local class.
Claydon Football Club are looking for new players to join their U16's disability team. A grassroots football club which has been offering disability football sessions since 2017.
Find out more and sign up
babyballet Suffolk South offers magical pre-school dance classes for little stars aged 6 months–6 years. Move, sing, and play while building confidence, coordination, and social skills in our fun, inclusive, welcoming classes.
Find out more and sign up to a local class.
Free parent & baby exercise classes where you can move, chat and feel supported. Safe workouts for all fitness levels, space for babies to play, and a welcoming community where no parent should navigate parenthood alone.
Find out more and sign up to a local class.
Building Confidence, Creativity and Community. The UK’s largest youth musical theatre company provides unique opportunities for young people aged 7 to 21 who love to perform. We help them build confidence, master new skills, make friends for life and shine in their own way.
Find out more and sign up to a local class.
CDC Street Dance has a wide range of different classes for all ages and abilities in lots of different areas. We also offer a tots group, birthday parties, workshops, fun days, exams, competitions, shows, rewards, progression and confidence building!
Find out more and sign up to a local class.
Jo Jingles provides fun, music and movement classes for babies and pre-schoolers across Suffolk. Classes are suitable for children aged from three months to five years
Find out more and sign up to a local class.
Stop Smoking
Stop Smoking
Stopping smoking is tough, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you live in Suffolk, Feel Good Suffolk can support you – In fact you're three times more likely to quit for good with their expert advice and support.
Stopping smoking is tough, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you live in Suffolk, Feel Good Suffolk can support you – In fact you three times more likely to quit for good with their expert advice and support.
Sophie explained:
Sophie explained:
Feel Good Suffolk can offer:
Feel Good Suffolk can offer:
• Group and one-to-one support.
• Group and one-to-one support.
• Free stop smoking products, such as vape kits and nicotine replacement therapies.
• Free stop smoking products, such as vape kits and nicotine replacement therapies.
• Allen Carr EasyWay stop smoking seminars.
• Allen Carr EasyWay stop smoking seminars.
• Access to the Smoke Free app.
• Access to the Smoke Free app.
Connecting with others, speaking openly about the challenges, and celebrating progress together can make a huge difference. That’s exactly what Sophie and Danielle from Ipswich found when they quit smoking side by side.
Connecting with others, speaking openly about the challenges, and celebrating progress together can make a huge difference. That’s exactly what Sophie and Danielle from Ipswich found when they quit smoking side by side.
Both were driven to break their 20 year habit for the sake of their children. With help from Feel Good Suffolk and guidance from local advisor Holly, they’ve now been smoke free for over three months.
Both were driven to break their 20 year habit for the sake of their children. With help from Feel Good Suffolk and guidance from local advisor Holly, they’ve now been smoke free for over three months.
“I didn't like the fact that I would turn to a cigarette, to make me feel better. I wanted to face things head on. I pride myself on being a great parent, but when I recognised that my youngest son would always go to the back door to look for me, knowing I would often be stood there smoking, I felt embarrassed and knew enough was enough!”
“I didn't like the fact that I would turn to a cigarette, to make me feel better. I wanted to face things head on. I pride myself on being a great parent, but when I recognised that my youngest son would always go to the back door to look for me, knowing I would often be stood there smoking, I felt embarrassed and knew enough was enough!”
Danielle said:
Danielle said:
“I was always a very passionate smoker. I loved smoking. I enjoyed it. It was a hobby. It was my time. After dinner I’d smoke, if I was stressed, I’d smoke because it gave me five minutes to step away. I always made time for it, it was like a reward, but I found that it was taking over and rather than giving me five minutes, it was taking time away from me – I wasn’t gaining anything!”
“I was always a very passionate smoker. I loved smoking. I enjoyed it. It was a hobby. It was my time. After dinner I’d smoke, if I was stressed, I’d smoke because it gave me five minutes to step away. I always made time for it, it was like a reward, but I found that it was taking over and rather than giving me five minutes, it was taking time away from me – I wasn’t gaining anything!”
March is the month of No Smoking Day. Could it be your time to stop smoking? Scan the QR code or complete at self- referral form to access support with Feel Good Suffolk at: www.feelgoodsuffolk.co.uk/make-a-referral/
March is the month of No Smoking Day. Could it be your time to stop smoking? Scan the QR code or complete a self-referral form to access support with Feel Good Suffolk at: www.feelgoodsuffolk.co.uk/make-a-referral/
“I Wish I Knew" Breastfeeding Campaign
The Public Health team at Suffolk County Council has launched “I Wish I Knew”, a new campaign supporting new and expectant parents through the early days of breastfeeding. Local women have already shared their experiences to help others, and the campaign welcomes more parents across Suffolk to join in and offer their stories to reassure those who may feel unsure or alone.
The Public Health team at Suffolk County Council has launched “I Wish I Knew”, a new campaign supporting new and expectant parents through the early days of breastfeeding. Local women have already shared their experiences to help others, and the campaign welcomes more parents across Suffolk to join in and offer their stories to reassure those who may feel unsure or alone.
Find tips, real experiences, and local support at:
healthysuffolk.org.uk/iwish or scan the QR code.
Find tips, real experiences, and local support at: healthysuffolk.org.uk/iwish or scan the QR code.
Photo Credit: BABI on Unsplash
Resolution Together One Couple, One Lawyer
Separation is rarely easy. Even when both people want to part on reasonable terms, the process itself can feel daunting, emotional and, at times, unnecessarily adversarial. For couples who are able to communicate and want to resolve matters calmly, there is now an alternative approach known as Resolution Together.
Resolution Together is a model developed by Resolution (a national organisation of family law professionals committed to resolving family disputes in a constructive and proportionate way). The focus is on helping separating couples reach fair agreements together, rather than positioning them on opposing sides.
Under the Resolution Together model, one specially trained lawyer works with both parties. That lawyer provides impartial legal advice to the couple jointly, helping them understand their options and the legal framework, while supporting them to make informed decisions about arrangements for children and finances. The aim is to reduce conflict, minimise stress and keep the focus firmly on what works best for the family moving forward.
The process begins with individual, confidential meetings between the lawyer and each party. These initial discussions allow the lawyer to understand the background to the relationship, the reasons for the separation and what matters most to each person. Importantly, they also allow the lawyer to assess whether Resolution Together is appropriate, as this approach is not suitable for every situation.
Resolution Together is not suitable where there has been domestic abuse, coercive behaviour or a significant imbalance of power or trust. However, for couples who are able to cooperate and communicate openly, it can offer a more respectful and constructive way to separate. It also has the potential to be more cost-effective, as one lawyer is involved rather than two, which can help reduce overall legal fees.
At Ellisons, three of our Family Law solicitors are trained in Resolution Together and have been supporting clients through this process for over 18 months, with great success. The service is available across all Ellisons offices: Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Chelmsford, Colchester and Frinton.
For a free exploratory call, please contact: 01206 764477 or email: anna.cross@ellisons.com. Ellisons is also pleased to offer a discount on initial meeting costs for Blue Light members.
If the lawyer and both parties agree that Resolution Together is the right way forward, a series of joint meetings then takes place. These sessions are confidential and collaborative in nature. The lawyer provides balanced legal guidance throughout, ensuring both parties understand the implications of any decisions they are considering, while leaving control firmly with the couple themselves.
Because the process is flexible, it can be tailored to the family’s particular circumstances. Where appropriate, other professionals may be involved, such as pension experts or tax advisers, to help address more complex financial issues.
Family Law advice from Anna Cross, Legal Director, Ellisons Family Department
Family Pets: More than just companionsGrowing up with animals
In our last feature, we explored the many benefits of having a family pet, from boosting children’s confidence to supporting emotional wellbeing. This issue, we’re looking at how pets help children learn some of life’s most important lessons. From the moment a child helps fill a food bowl or refresh a water dish, they begin to understand responsibility. Whether it’s walking the dog before school, cleaning out a rabbit hutch, or gently grooming a guinea pig, caring for an animal teaches consistency and commitment. Pets rely on us and that’s a powerful lesson for children to grasp.
Animals can also help children develop empathy. Learning to recognise when a dog is feeling playful, anxious or tired encourages children to tune into non-verbal cues. This emotional awareness doesn’t just benefit their relationship with pets, it supports friendships and family life too. Studies have shown that children who grow up with animals often demonstrate higher levels of compassion and understanding towards others.
For families with busy schedules, pets can offer something increasingly rare: a reason to pause. Walking the dog gets everyone outside in the fresh air. Playing in the garden with a puppy or watching fish swim calmly in a tank can be wonderfully
grounding. In a world of screens and constant notifications, animals gently draw us back into the present moment. Pets can be particularly supportive during times of change. Starting school, moving house, welcoming a new sibling or navigating family challenges can all feel overwhelming for children. A pet offers steady companionship and unconditional affection. They don’t judge, they don’t rush, and they are always happy to see you.
Of course, introducing a pet into the family is a big decision. It’s important to consider lifestyle, space, finances and longterm commitment. Researching breeds, adoption options and care requirements ensures that the experience is positive for both the animal and your family. Rescue centres across Suffolk are always keen to help families find the right match.
Ultimately, family pets are not just animals we live with, they become part of our story. They feature in birthday photos, comfort us after hard days and create countless everyday memories. The muddy pawprints on the kitchen floor, the purring on the sofa, the excited greetings at the door, these are the moments children carry with them long after childhood.
A family pet may start as a practical decision, but it often becomes one of the most meaningful relationships in a child’s life.
Themed Stay and Play Session
Sign up for our Easter Craft themed Stay and Play session (ages 2 -7) where you can come and experience our Nursery. An opportunity to play together, enjoy some stories, arts and craft and go on some outdoor adventures. on Saturday 21 March 2026
The session will run from 09:30 - 11:30 in our purpose-built Early Years Building at Framlingham College Prep School, IP13 7AH Free of charge | Siblings welcome
Scan the QR code to book or go to framlinghamcollege.co.uk/stayandplay
Summer Stay and Play dates also available. See website for details.
Let’s see who you are...
Prep School Discover Morning Friday 20 March 2026 09:00 - 12:00
Prep School Open Morning Bank Holiday Monday 04 May 2026 10:00 - 13:00
To register, visit framlinghamcollege.co.uk/admissions
WHY THE EARLY YEARS MATTER MORE THAN YOU THINK
The first five years of a child’s life are often described as fleeting: a blur of first smiles, first steps and bedtime stories. Yet behind the scenes, something remarkable is happening. During these early years, children are forming the foundations for how they think, feel, learn and relate to the world around them. It’s a period of extraordinary growth, and one that deserves thoughtful care and attention.
At Finborough School, the Early Years philosophy is rooted in a simple belief: children thrive when they feel secure, curious and supported. From as young as six months, babies in the nursery are welcomed into a calm, nurturing environment designed to meet their developmental needs at every stage. Spacious and light classrooms allow children to explore freely, while carefully planned routines help even the youngest pupils feel safe and settled.
Outdoor play plays a central role in early development, supporting physical confidence, problem-solving and emotional wellbeing. Finborough’s nursery and school benefit from
generous outdoor spaces, enhanced by new wooden play equipment that encourages climbing, balancing and imaginative play. As children grow, these outdoor experiences expand further. Older Early Years pupils enjoy time in a large outdoor treehouse, where Forest School sessions support independence, resilience and a sense of wonder through hands-on exploration of the natural world.
CHILDREN THRIVE WHEN THEY FEEL SECURE, CURIOUS AND SUPPORTED
Importantly, early learning is not limited to play alone. Specialist teaching in phonics, music and physical education is introduced from the nursery years and continues seamlessly into Reception, with Reception children enjoying weekly swimming lessons, too. These sessions support coordination, rhythm, listening skills and confidence, while also nurturing a lifelong enjoyment of movement and creativity. Exposure to specialist teachers at a young age helps
children see learning as something exciting and varied, rather than something to be anxious about.
Emotional wellbeing is also given thoughtful consideration. Recognising that young children experience big feelings, Finborough has a dedicated mindfulness studio designed especially for the Early Years cohort. Here, children are gently introduced to techniques that support calmness, focus and self-awareness, helping them to navigate their emotions with growing confidence.
Early years at Finborough are about laying strong foundations for curiosity, kindness and a love of learning. When children are given the space, support and inspiration they need in these formative years, they carry those benefits with them far beyond childhood.
Families are warmly invited to book a personal tour or join us for our Reception Discovery session on Wednesday 1st April at 9am. Reserve your place online or email: www.finboroughschool.co.uk | admissions@finboroughschool.co.uk
INDEPENDENT, CO-EDUCATIONAL DAY AND BOARDING SCHOOL, PLUS NURSERY
Finborough School offers a unique character focused approach to education from its nursery all the way through to its sixth form. With an abundance of learning opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom that includes our magical Forest School programme, our Pre-Prep department is a very special place to be!
Join us for our Reception Discovery event on Wednesday 1st April, from 9am to 10.30am.
Little ones can explore our early years learning spaces while families can talk to our expert team about life in Finborough’s Pre-Prep.
Scan the QR code
Find out more and book your place:
Rated ‘Excellent’ in all areas by the Independent Schools Inspectorate
