INSTA: @hiveipswich // TWITTER : @thehiveipswich //FBOOK: @thehiveipswich

A new community group is turning an empty and much loved Westend Music Shop, on Norwich Road, into ‘The Hive’ a vital community space for arts and social activity.

The HIVE will be a brand-new community and social space on Norwich Rd, the most diverse street in Suffolk, and, not without its stigma. Multi purpose, with many areas including a sizeable garden, it will afford many people to get involved in shaping the vision of the space.

The HIVE is situated in the heart of the most diverse and vibrant street in Suffolk, we are already working with the local community, to make a new social community space for people of all ages to express their creativity and feel safe and supported to do so.

HIVE will offer activities, workshops, events, exhibitions, a radio and the new NO BORDERS podcast from the street, a professional screen printing base to offer people the chance to make cool work, a darkroom, a place to show their work, a screening space for films and installations. Pop up street food Saturdays, and so much more.

The new directors, Cad Taylor, Bopper Rankin, Sarah Nkugwa and Monika Puchala are running a crowd-funder in order to engage everyone and make you feel involved from the start. Your money will allow the basic regeneration of the space, some physical changes to make the space accessible and transform an empty shop space, into THE HIVE - the community space for everyone.

‘’It is important to us that everyone feels that they can contribute and help steer this space, which is why we are making a community board to help with this and give ideas for how the space can be used’’

The directors, bring local knowledge, a different cultural offer and skills to grow and bring people into the space.

Upstairs could be perfect space for creative desk spaces / hot desk usage, small performances, screenings. Kids workshops, youth sessions, talks, small musical gatherings.

We want to be reactive and reflective of what the community need. Though we are not by any means open yet, we have already hosted a small music gathering, with a well-known Kurdish musician, we have had many volunteers and supporters, come and paint, clear, tidy and sort the space.

This is certainly a labour of love and passion to give better opportunities for everyone to connect and have a voice.

This is the start of something exciting that we believe will inspire others to get involved and regenerate empty spaces on our Highstreet.

Our friendly partner organisations Ipswich & Suffolk Council for Racial Equality, Suffolk Refugee Support, Ipswich Community Media, IO radio, OUTLOUD music, Future Female Society, The Smokehouse, have all committed their support and want to be involved - and then hopefully local schools including Westbridge PRU, nearest primary schools.

HIVE will have the community at its heart – and we can only make that happen with your help.

If you want to get involved or have ideas for the space, please email usethehive@gmail.com