A new space for black and ethnic minority women and children will open in the centre of Ipswich next week. 

The PHOEBE centre will throw open the doors of its new premises at number six Great Colman Street on Friday, March 10. 

PHOEBE, which stands for Promotion of Health, Opportunity, Equality, Benevolence and Empowerment, helps BME women and children experiencing domestic abuse and those from underprivileged communities. 

The organisation offers a whole range of services, including counselling, self-esteem workshops and English classes. 

The centre will welcome the community next week for a grand opening, beginning at 9:30am, with women and key speakers gathering to share inspiring stories. 

The centre is excited to welcome Pragna Patel to the launch. Ms Patel is a founding member and former director of the Southall Black Sisters.  

She will be speaking out on the importance of specialist black and minority women’s groups, in eliminating violence against women and girls. 

PHOEBE has been working hard to support women in Ipswich in the past few years. In 2021, it was granted £2,000 for its Strong Black Girls project, which worked to help young people understand their historical links with Britain.