“Learning new skills has given me more opportunites”

We deliver a range of learning and support services in the community;

Adult Learning, Coaching and Advice and Guidance

Adult Learning in Suffolk

With 30 years’ experience of delivering government funded adult learning opportunities in the community and with the community, we know how to deliver courses that are tailored to meet individual needs. We offer a wide range of courses from improving English/Maths/ICT/Vocational skills to supporting children in their learning or improving your wellbeing. Many of these courses lead to recognised qualifications. 

Our Learning Centres

We have a wide range of courses to support you in life and work provided by our learning centres across Suffolk in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket, Lowestoft and Newmarket.

Course Fees

Many places on our courses are FREE so please contact us to see if you are eligible. Alternatively you can pay online.

Here is a taste of what you can learn:

Essential Skills:

  • English
  • Maths
  • English for Speakers of Other Languages
  • Computer Skills for Beginners
  • Computer Skills for the Office
  • ITQ Fast Track

Skills for Work:

  • Counselling
  • Childcare
  • Adult Social Care
  • Customer Service
  • Business & Administration
  • First Aid at Work
  • Health & Safety in the Workplace

A Helping Hand:

  • Stay Safe on the Internet
  • Computer Clubs
  • Confidence & Wellbeing
  • Stress Management
  • Living with Children
  • Confident & Assertive Parenting

Download a Autumn 2024/2025 course brochure:


Walk-in Advice & Guidance

If you have a Learning Disability and/or Autism, we can provide advice, guidance and information on:

  • Housing
  • Benefits
  • Money
  • Safety
  • Bills/Letters

Contact us to find out more: info@realisefutures.org

Sessions near you

All Walk-in Advice and Guidance services are currently being delivered face to face, but by appointment only.

South Suffolk:

Please contact Emma Croker emma.croker@realisefutures.org or Anita Fiddy anita.fiddy@realisefutures.org (currently closed due to capacity).

East Suffolk:

BECCLES
Advice & Guidance Drop In
Beccles Community Hub, 20 Blyburgate, Beccles NR34 9TB
Day: Every Monday
Time: 10:00 -12:00

BUNGAY
Advice & Guidance Drop In
Bungay Community Support, 28 Wingfield St, Bungay NR35 1EZ
Day: Every Monday
Time: 13:00 – 15:00

HALESWORTH
Advice & Guidance Drop In
Community Room, Halesworth Co-Op Saxons Way, Halesworth IP19 8LU
Day: Every Tuesday
Time: 09:30 – 11:30

WOODBRIDGE
Advice & Guidance Drop In
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge IP12 1DT
Day: First Tuesday of the month 
Time: 10:00 – 12:00

MELTON
Advice & Guidance Drop In
Poppy’s Pantry, The Sidings, Wilford Bridge Road, Melton, IP12 1TB
Day: Second Tuesday of the month 
Time: 10:00 – 12:00

SAXMUNDHAM
Advice & Guidance (Appointments)
Leading Lives Hub, Saxmundham
Day: Every Wednesday
Time: By appointment only

Southwold
Advice and Guidance Drop In
Southwold Library,Old Hospital Hub, Field Stile Rd, Southwold IP18 6LD
Day: Every Thursday
Time: 10.00 – 12:00 

LEISTON
Advice and Guidance Drop In
Leiston Community Hub
Day: Every Friday
Time: 10.00 – 12:00 

Contact: Anita Fiddy: 07598 582955

Mid/West Suffolk:

SUDBURY
Advice & Guidance Drop In
The Christopher Centre, 10 Gainsborough Street, Sudbury CO10 2EU
Day: Every Monday  
Time: 10:00 – 12:00

HAVERHILL
Advice & Guidance Drop In
The Haven Café,  Camps Road, Haverhill, CB9 8HB
Day: Every Wednesday 
Time: 10:00 – 12:00

STOWMARKET
Advice & Guidance (Appointments)
By Appointment. Please call Emma Croker on 07738704724.

Day: Every Thursday  
Time: 10:00 – 12:00

BURY ST EDMUNDS
Advice & Guidance (Appointments)
Venue of choice to be agreed
Day: Every Thursday  
Time: 10:00 – 12:00

Contact: Emma Croker 07738704724 

North Suffolk:

LOWESTOFT
Advice & Guidance Drop In
Kirkley Centre, 154 London Road, South Lowestoft, NR33 0AZ
Day: Monday
Time: 10:00 – 12:00

LOWESTOFT
Advice and Guidance Drop In 
Lowestoft Library, Clapham Road, NR32 1DR
Day:
Tuesday
Time: 10:00-12:00

LOWESTOFT
Advice and Guidance Drop In
Gunton Community Hall, Hollingsworth Road, Lowestoft NR32 4AY
Day:
Wednesday
Time: 10:00-12:00

LOWESTOFT
Advice & Guidance Drop In
St Andrews Church, Roman Road, Lowestoft NR32 2DQ

Day: Thursday
Time: 10:00 – 12:00

Contact: Debbie Ellis 07738704732


Groups near you:

South Suffolk

IPSWICH
Peer Support
St Lawrence’s  Café, Dial Lane, Ipswich, IP1 1DJ
Day: Every Thursday
Time: 14.00 – 15:30
(currently closed due to capacity.)

IPSWICH
Peer Support
St Lawrence’s  Café, Dial Lane, Ipswich, IP1 1DJ
Day: Every Friday
Time: 09:30 – 11:00

(currently closed due to capacity.)

IPSWICH
Peer Support
Geek Retreat 41A Upper Brook Street Ipswich IP4 1DU
Day: Every Friday
Time: 11:30 – 13:00

(currently closed due to capacity.)

 

Mid/West Suffolk

BURY ST EDMUNDS
Peer Support
The Kings Arms, 23 Brentgovel Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1EB
Day: Every Monday
Time: 14.30 – 15:45

BURY ST EDMUNDS
Peer Support – Ladies Autism group
The Kings Arms, 23 Brentgovel Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1EB
Day: Every Tuesday
Time: 12:00 – 13:30 

BURY ST EDMUNDS
Peer Support
The Shuffle Café, 63 St Andrews Street South, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1SD
Day: Every Tuesday
Time: 14:00 – 16:00 

HAVERHILL
Peer Support
Arts Centre Community Café
Day: Every Wednesday
Time: 13.00 – 15:00 

BURY ST EDMUNDS
Peer Support – Men’s Autism Group
Oakes Barn, St Andrews Street BSE IP33 3PH
Day: Every Thursday
Time: 13:30 – 15:30

Contact: Emma Croker: 07738 704 724

East Suffolk

HALESWORTH
Peer Support
Halesworth Community Hall
Day: Every Tuesday
Time: 11:30 – 13:30

WOODBRIDGE
Peer Support
Caffe Nero, 38C The Thoroughfare, Woodbridge IP12 1AQ
Day: Last Tuesday of the Month
Time: 10.00 – 11:30

SAXMUNDHAM
Peer Support
Smile Cafe, Saxmundham
Day: Every Wednesday
Time: 12:00 – 14:00

Contact: Anita Fiddy: 07598 582955

North Suffolk

LOWESTOFT
Peer Support
Kirkley Centre 154 London Road South Lowestoft NR33 0AZ
Day: Every Monday
Time: 13.00 – 15:00 

LOWESTOFT
Peer Support, Art and Craft Session
Gunton Community Hall, Hollingsworth Road
Lowestoft NR32 4AY
Day: Every Wednesday
Time: 
13.00 – 15:00 

LOWESTOFT
Peer Support, Art and Craft Session
St Andrews Church, Roman Road, Lowestoft NR32 2DQ 
Day: Every Thursday
Time: 13.00 – 15:00 

LOWESTOFT
Mindful Colouring
St Andrews Church, Roman Road, Lowestoft NR32 2DQ 
Day: First Thursday of the Month
Time: 13.00 – 15:00 

Contact: Debbie Ellis: 07738 704 732

Peer Support – People Helping People

Do you have a learning disability and/or autism? Do you want to meet people in your local area?

Our dedicated team members support people with learning disabilities and/or Autism to set up social groups with like-minded people in their own communities. Participants share their experiences, interests and discuss their future ambitions. Information, Advice and Guidance is provided on topics ranging from budgeting to career and training opportunities.

Please contact the person listed below for your area before attending.

Through our Peer Support Groups, we help people to get together to:

Support each other

Realise Futures ​support people ​with Learning Disabilities and/or Autism, to set up Peer Support across Suffolk.

Share your experiences

At the groups people ​share their experiences, ​talk about the things in life that matter to them and support each other.

Make new friendships

Being part of a Peer Support Group is a great way to make friends and become more confident!

Be more confident

People might start a group because they enjoy doing the same activity, for example, gardening, or music.

Get out and about

Sometimes groups might choose to go out on a trip, explore the local community, or use the meetings for something like training.

Contact us to find out more: info@realisefutures.org

Covid-19 update: Peer groups are now up and running but are being held outside until 17th May until being resumed indoors.

 

South Suffolk

Mid/West Suffolk
Emma Croker: 07738 704 724

East Suffolk
Anita Fiddy: 07598 582955

North Suffolk                      
Debbie Ellis: 07738 704 732


Coaching Services

Multiply Suffolk is here to deliver bespoke coaching, training and mentoring to support you into learning and employment across Suffolk. Multiply Suffolk will provide opportunities for you to improve your knowledge, understanding and use of maths in daily life: at home, in learning and in work.

Our dedicated team of Coaches offer support to participants, helping to set personalised training and employment related goals. Bespoke opportunities are sourced that increase confidence and remove barriers for individuals to take the next step into a more meaningful future. 

We can help by:

  • Supporting to engage with education, employment and training
  • Improve numeracy, money management and budgeting skills
  • Promote independence, choice and wellbeing
  • Empower you to remove barriers to employment and gain a numeracy qualification

We can help if you:

  • Are aged 19+
  • Live in a Suffolk postcode area
  • Do not hold a Level 2 qualification or above in Numeracy (GCSE or Functional Skills)

Email: coaching@realisefutures.org
Telephone: 01473 275957

If you would like to refer into Multiply Suffolk please register your interest by contacting multiplysuffolk@suffolk.gov.uk or visit Multiply – Learn Suffolk for more information.


External Services

There are many statutory, voluntary and independent organisations in Suffolk that can assist you in various ways and you can see what they do at the Suffolk Information Partnership.

You can also look at our booklet that is helpfully organised by subject/area.

We have also collated Labour Market Information (LMI) that might be useful to you: