A church-led charity shop is relaunching after a long-serving manager stood down.
Living Water in Ipswich, a long-standing shop on Dickens Road, has served the community for nearly 30 years by offering donated goods such as clothing, bric-a-brac, toys, jewellery, and books.
It also runs a café for visitors to relax, reflect, or enjoy conversation in a welcoming environment.
The shop is operated by Triangle Church as a not-for-profit, but has recently seen the stepping down of long-serving manager Mandy Stone after 22 years.
Rev Lawrence Carey, associate priest for Triangle Church, said: "Living Water isn’t just a shop, it’s a community hub and our day-to-day presence in our community.
"Our customers say it’s a place of peace, somewhere where they can come in, sit down and get a cup of something nice and where they will always receive a warm welcome."
In place of a single manager, the shop will now be led by three part-time co-managers: Caroline Relton, Kevin Clarke, and Amy Lotay.
Ms Lotay said: "It’s important that we can be compassionate and empathetic to all that come through the door, and it’s great that the trustees support us as managers in doing so."
Supported by a team of dedicated volunteers, the shop relies heavily on donations.
Debbie Carey, a trustee of Living Water, said: "They are a vital part of what makes Living Water able to operate."
To expand its reach, the shop has started selling niche items online through platforms like eBay and Vinted.
Mr Clarke said: "We have only a small shop space, so cannot have everything on display for weeks and weeks.
"Then we have the niche stuff that won’t necessarily sell in the shop, but if someone is searching for one on eBay and we have what they are looking for that’s great."
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