CFS Unite Blog

Welcome to our blog page. This is where you will find our recent news and our future plans. If you have anything to share then please email it so we can post your news too!

Join us for our annual Christmas Meal!
Tuesday 19th December 2023
Noon - The Swan, Westerfield Road, Westerfield, IP6 9AJ
Booking Essential!

Join us for a lovely afternoon and fun Christmas meal and celebration. 

#2 Courses for £24,95 and 3 courses £29.95. 

£5 deposit required. Please confirm by the 31st October if you are coming and deposits and menu choices by the 7th November. Please let us know of any dietary requirements too. 

We also host a secret Santa. If you wish to join then bring a wrapped gift (value of £5) and drop it in the Santa sack for an surprise exchange during the meal.

27th October 2023

Hi all, 


How are we nearly in November already? Since our relaunch of events in July the group has been going from strength to strength and it has been so wonderful to see new members and long term members coming together and supporting one another again. Thank you all for being part of a wonderful cause and for being so wonderful to each other and to me as well. 


We only have 2  meetings left of 2023 and one coffee morning plus our Christmas meal and I have organised the dates for 2024 for our monthly meetings and coffee mornings as well. 


Remaining 2023 Dates

Tuesday 7th November - 13:30 - 15:30 - Monthly Meeting at St Johns

Tuesday 21st November - 12 Noon - 14:00 - Coffee Morning at Chantry Library.

Tuesday 5th December - 13:30 - 15:30 - Monthly Meeting at St Johns

Tuesday 19th December - Christmas meal at The Swan from noon


Christmas Meal (Information poster attached)  - all welcome

Arriving at Noon - The Swan, Westerfield Road, Westerfield, IP6 9AJ Booking Essential!Join us for a lovely afternoon and fun Christmas meal and celebration. 

2 Courses for £24,95 and 3 courses £29.95.  £5 deposit required.


Please confirm by the 31st October if you are coming and deposits and menu choices by the 7th November. Please let us know of any dietary requirements too. 

We also host a secret Santa. If you wish to join then bring a wrapped gift (value of £5) and drop it in the Santa sack for a surprise exchange during the meal.

2024 Dates - Poster attached with a summary of dates and information.

Also, please find out all events and information on our website www.cfsunite.co.uk.

--

Kind regards, best wishes and gentle hugs

.

We are back - 24th August 2023

 

I cannot believe it is nearly the end of August, the year has flown by. After a 2 month break (due to a variety of reasons) I am delilghted to share more dates of our group and events we have coming up. 


Visit our upcoming page to see the dates for the reminder of 2023 and details of our events (https://www.cfsunite.co.uk/upcoming-events), which includes monthly meetings, coffee mornings, a cabaret evening and dates for a Christmas Meal. 


Please share the dates as we would like to get the group up and running again and get members to join us so we can keep supporting one another. 


Thank you to all our members and friends who have been in touch with me over the past few months offering support, time and just being there, it has meant so much and is a constant reminder of what a lovely group we are. 


Hope to see you all soon. 


--

Kind regards, best wishes and gentle hugs


The CFU Team


We are back - 24th August 2023

 

I cannot believe it is nearly the end of August, the year has flown by. After a 2 month break (due to a variety of reasons) I am delilghted to share more dates of our group and events we have coming up. 


Visit our upcoming page to see the dates for the reminder of 2023 and details of our events (https://www.cfsunite.co.uk/upcoming-events), which includes monthly meetings, coffee mornings, a cabaret evening and dates for a Christmas Meal. 


Please share the dates as we would like to get the group up and running again and get members to join us so we can keep supporting one another. 


Thank you to all our members and friends who have been in touch with me over the past few months offering support, time and just being there, it has meant so much and is a constant reminder of what a lovely group we are. 


Hope to see you all soon. 


--

Kind regards, best wishes and gentle hugs


The CFU Team


Happy New Year 2023 - 10th January 2023

 

A very happy belated New year to you all. 


I apologise for being quiet over the festive time but with the children, work and being ill, my time was limited. However, I hope you had a lovely Christmas time and I hope 2023 is a great year for you. . 


2023 is here and I am now scheduling the year ahead. I have scheduled the meetings and a couple of coffee meet ups for up to April. Visit our upcoming page to see the dates and details (https://www.cfsunite.co.uk/upcoming-events). I am hoping this year to get in some guest speakers and do more at group so watch this space. 


I am also looking to organise a belated Christmas meal get together as well soon. 


I will put together a poster and more information soon but just wanted to make a start today for the year ahead and let you all know. 


Hope to see you all soon. 


--

Kind regards, best wishes and gentle hugs


The CFU Team


Coffee morning and more upcoming - October 2022

Hi all 

How is it nearly the end of October already. Thank you to everyone who has supported, attended the group over the last few months and for bearing with me as I have been so busy and somewhat neglected the group. 


The last few months we have a few things upcoming which you will find below:


Coffee morning - Thursday 27th october from 10.30am till around noon at Ipswich Scuba, 22 Hines Road, Ipswich, IP3 9BG. PLease come along and have a cuppa with me, I may even get time to make a cake and would love to see you. 


Tuesday 1st November - Monthly meeting from 13.30 - 15.30 at St John's Church, Cauldwell Hall Road. Join us for a cuppa and a chat. This month we are asking you to bring some nibbles and a buffet for a belated Halloween, Fancy dress is welcome too. 


Friday 18th November - Charity Cabaret Evening from 19.00

Bryan has organised a charity evening to raise money for Find and EACH. A few of us are going along so if you fancy a good night out with us please do join us and let Bryan know. Details are on the poster attached. 


Tuesday 6th December - Monthly meeting from 13.30 - 15.30 at St John's Church, Cauldwell Hall Road. Join us for a cuppa and a chat. This month we are asking you to bring some nibbles and a buffet for an early Christmas celebration and ask you to wear your christmas jumpers. Also we will host a secret santa, please if you can and wish to join, being a wrapped gift suitable for man or women to put into Santa's sack and share with others.  


We are planning to organise a belated Christmas meal in 2023. 


Thank you again for your support. 

--

Kind regards, best wishes and gentle hugs


The CFU Team


We may be a bit quiet but we are still here - September 2022

Hi all, 


2022 has been a strange year and is also flying by. Just a note to say that things will be quiet over the next few months due to lots of personal commitments, work commitments,  and things upcoming. Hopefully we will get them sorted and be back to normal soon. 


Our monthly meetings will still take place on the first Tuesday of every month from 13:30 - 15.30pm at St John's Church in Ipswich. 


I have temporarily stopped our zoom meetings for now as they may need to change days due to my daughttwer starting school, will liase with members soon to restart them as I know for some of you they are realy important. 


Will keep ploughing through and hope to be a bit more with it again soon. 

--

Kind regards, best wishes and gentle hugs


Gemma x

Change of zoom date and beach hut day - posted 15th July 2022

Hi all, 


Hope you are looking after yourselves in this heat wave. 


Just a couple of things the date of our next zoom meeting is no longer Tuesday 19th July but will take place Tuesday 26th July instead at 2pm. Link will be sent out just before. 


This is because on Tuesday 19th we are having a beach hut day at Felixstowe close to the spa. If you wish to join us we are meeting at 11.15am until about 4pm. Please bring a chair for yourself and plenty of sun lotion, sun hats and water etc.... If you cannot find us on the day, call my mobile and I will guide you. It is 07791 383143. 

--

Kind regards, best wishes and gentle hugs


The CFU Team

We are still here and rather busy! 1st July 2022

Wow - how are we in July already, This year is flying by. Once again, apologies I have been quiet lately, just running about madly and not getting as much done as I would like. However, our monthly meetings have been back since January and thanks to the wnderful Bryan, Shirley and June have been running magically. Our next few dates can be found below as well as dates for our zoom meetings.  

In person meetings taking place on the first Tuesday of every month at St John's Church Hall, Cauldwell Hall Road, Ipswich - 13:30 - 15.30pm 


5th July

2nd August

6th September

4th October

1st November

6th December


Zoom Meetings 2pm until 4pm will run either the third Thursday or Tuesday of the month with scheduled dates as follows:


Tuesday 19th July

Tuesday 16th August

Tuesday 20th September

Tuesday 18th October

Tuesday 15th November

Tuesday 20th December


We have also just announced the date for our quiz which is Satuday 10th September 2022 from 14pm. After a few years our amazing quiz is back!  Join us for one of our best afternoons hosting a quiz. With 10 rounds of 10 questions, a raffle and lots of food it is an afternoon where we can get together and have some fun. We will also be raising money which goes towards the running of our group. Teams of up to 6. Entry price £2.50 per person. Please contact us to book on and let us know you are coming.


Hoping to also host a beach day soon as well as other events. 

--

Kind regards, best wishes and gentle hugs


The CFU Team


We are back for meetings - 24th January 2022

Apologies I have been quiet lately, just running about madly and not getting as much done as I would like. However, I am delighted to let you know that our meetings can now resume in person and the dates for the monthly in person meetings and location can be found below (I will also update our website soon). Also due to some of our members not able to attend in person meetings we will also resume our zoom meetings once a month as well. 


In person meetings taking place on the first Tuesday of every month at St John's Church Hall, Cauldwell Hall Road, Ipswich - 13:30 - 15.30pm 


1st February 

1st March

5th April

3rd May

7th June

5th July

2nd August

6th September

4th October

1st November

6th December


Zoom Meetings 2pm until 4pm will run either the third Thursday or Tuesday of the month with scheduled dates as follows:


Thursday 27th January

Thursday 17th February

Thursday 17th March

Thursday 21st April

After this zoom meetings will take place on a Tuesday afternoon (apologies for this but I will be back at work and working Thursdays from the end of April.

Tuesday 17th May

Tuesday 21st June

Tuesday 19th July

Tuesday 16th August

Tuesday 20th September

Tuesday 18th October

Tuesday 15th November

Tuesday 20th December


I have also got 2 Saturdays scheduled for potential quizzes at the church to help fundraise so politely ask you to save the dates for Saturday 23rd April and Saturday 10th September 2pm till 17pm. 


I will try and summarise this in a poster at some point soon and will update the website soon. 


Really looking forward to seeing some of you either virtual or in person soon. 

--

Kind regards, best wishes and gentle hugs


The CFU Team


21st September 2021 - Zoom meeting and fish and chips


Good morning all,


Hope you are ok? Just a couple of reminders and a Covid-19 meeting update::


Zoom meeting this Tuesday

Our next  zoom meeting is this Thursday 23rd September at 2pm. The meeting details are below and the meeting will be finished around 3.30pm. Meeting details have been emailed. If you are not on our mailing list but wish to join email info@cfsunite.co.uk to request meeting details.


Hope you can join us. 


Fish and chips anyone?

Also next Tuesday is our fish and chips by pier day on Tuesday 28th September at Felixstowe. The aim is to meet by the pier around 11, set up base near there and enjoy a few hours together and some good food. I had fish and chips at the fish hut Saturday and they were delicious. We have some available chairs (provided by myself and Kimberley (thanks Kimberley)) just let me know if you need one so I can pack it in my car.  


If you want to come but need a lift, let me know and I will see if I can organise it. Unfortunately I cannot offer a lift as my car is full already. 


Covid-19 Update

Whilst, restrictions are easing and some things are getting back to normal. I have made the difficult decision to not currently resume our in person meetings at the church hall. The reason for this is Covid is still there and infection rate is increasing, and with winter looming where the spread could increase plus with so little evidence on the success rate of the vaccination I want to see what happens. I do not feel comfortable with us all meeting in an enclosed space and would hate it if we resumed and someone got poorly. 


However, I have emailed the church today to pencil us in to resume from February 2022 in time for our birthday, in the hope things may have settled. 


In the meantime, we have lots of little events happening, meeting out and about plus our fortnightly zoom meetings. 


I hope you understand my difficult decision. Hope to see you all soon. 

--

Lots of love and hugs

Gemma XXX

3rd September 2021 - Sorry I have been missing in action!

Hello everyone, 

It has been a while and most of you know why. 

On Friday 30th July, our lovely son Owen arrived in the world. We took the month of August to adapt to being a family of 4 and the month flew by. Thank you to everyone who sent messages, cards, gifts and well wishes, we were truly spoilt and really appreciate all the love and well wishes. 

I apologise for being so quiet and taking time out, but now it is time to get back to doing what we do best, meeting up online, in person and providing support on a regular basis.  I have updated our events page with new fortnightly zoom meeting dates (please note the change of day for a little while), plus some small get together events. I am still being  cautious about in person meetings as I want to see what the winter months hold in terms of the Covid infection rate so will review this over the next few months and look towards resuming our monthly in person meetings in the New Year (which is only 4 months away). Whilst, I aim to be back in regular contact and will be looking at regular sessions of support, I do ask you to please support me as a new mum of 2, I will be honest when I say it has been a huge shock to the system and there are some days I barely function, so I hope you understand. 

Also you may notice the website has a new look, this is because Google has changed their sites so ours has automatically been updated. Please bear with me as I go through the pages and update them and if you find any glaring errors please do let me know. 

Looking forward to some much needed meetings and socials. 


Lots of love and hugs

Gemma XXX

Old blog posts from previous website can be found below. 

Upcoming zoom, newsletter and flowers — Apr 6, 2021 3:52:51 PM

Birthday zoom and newsletter — Feb 25, 2021 2:34:52 PM

Zoom and video — Jan 22, 2021 1:22:54 PM

1st Val's Flowers of hope sent this year — Jan 4, 2021 4:33:08 PM

Happy New Year and plans — Jan 4, 2021 10:20:31 AM

Upcoming Zoom and Useful stuff — Nov 21, 2020 12:09:28 PM

Zoom, social distance meet and more! — Aug 20, 2020 9:26:00 AM

Zoom meetings — Jun 30, 2020 6:58:18 AM

Our video and next challenge — Jun 27, 2020 1:04:10 PM

Still here! — Jun 18, 2020 7:38:14 PM

Covid 19 Information from ME Association — Apr 3, 2020 8:01:36 PM

Covid 19 - Meetings cancelled — Mar 23, 2020 2:15:41 PM

Coffee Morning and Chums — Feb 18, 2020 11:00:18 AM

Christmas Meeting — Dec 14, 2019 2:41:29 PM

Chums relaunch — Nov 18, 2019 12:41:21 PM

Upcoming and 2020 — Nov 16, 2019 11:51:12 AM

October Meeting 2019 — Sep 28, 2019 10:54:29 AM

Coffee Afternoon Success — Sep 28, 2019 10:29:09 AM

Upcoming and Christmas meal — Sep 14, 2019 9:47:32 AM

Tuesday 3rd September Meeting Cancelled! — Aug 31, 2019 10:07:52 AM

Coffee Morning Photos — Aug 24, 2019 11:50:24 AM

BBQ Postponed, coffee morning and next meeting — Aug 23, 2019 3:19:24 PM

Come and say hi at the Ardleigh Car Boot — Jul 27, 2019 12:33:37 PM

What a hot but wonderful beach hut day — Jul 25, 2019 8:13:14 AM

Beach Hut day — Jul 20, 2019 9:19:26 AM

Information and upcoming — Jun 14, 2019 12:04:58 PM

A restful meeting — Jun 5, 2019 2:44:10 PM

Apologies — Mar 6, 2019 1:58:40 PM

Happy New Year — Jan 5, 2019 12:32:36 PM

Christmas meal and meeting — Nov 17, 2018 5:45:33 PM

Recommended book — Nov 17, 2018 4:24:14 PM

Meeting tomorrow — Nov 5, 2018 8:40:06 PM

Email sent today regarding 2019 dates — Oct 26, 2018 9:57:31 AM

Thank for joining us at our quiz — Oct 26, 2018 9:34:30 AM

Thanks for another successful quiz — Oct 26, 2018 9:28:43 AM

Do you love books? — Aug 29, 2018 12:43:27 PM

Lisa's trip to RNLI Aldeburgh — Aug 29, 2018 9:11:59 AM

Upcoming events and spam mail! — Aug 22, 2018 8:41:35 AM

August Monthly Meeting and BBQ — Aug 6, 2018 8:20:48 PM

Information from our June meeting — Jun 9, 2018 12:08:40 PM

Not receiving our emails but want to? — Jun 9, 2018 11:46:13 AM

GDPR Data - Email sent — May 19, 2018 4:37:55 PM

Christmas in May — May 8, 2018 11:34:20 AM

Taking a break! — Apr 21, 2018 1:55:07 PM

Cake and raffle plea for the quiz! — Mar 27, 2018 4:08:58 PM

Easter and April meeting — Mar 24, 2018 2:41:56 PM

March Meeting - Important — Feb 28, 2018 10:22:42 AM

How to Make Your Home More Accessible — Feb 6, 2018 9:42:44 PM

February 6th! — Feb 3, 2018 12:25:49 PM

Lots of events for 2018! — Jan 29, 2018 2:46:27 PM

Happy Birthday Shirley! — Jan 18, 2018 8:05:13 AM

Welcome to 2018 — Jan 6, 2018 2:05:03 PM

Christmas Tidings! — Dec 24, 2017 8:23:59 AM

Last meeting of 2017 — Dec 7, 2017 10:23:58 AM

Val's flowers of hope - December 2017 — Dec 7, 2017 10:08:45 AM

Upcoming... — Dec 4, 2017 1:40:59 PM

December meeting — Nov 24, 2017 5:06:43 PM

Gemma has her baby! — Oct 17, 2017 5:58:45 PM

October meeting cancelled! — Oct 3, 2017 6:11:47 AM

BBQ Success! — Aug 26, 2017 10:20:31 AM

August Meeting — Jul 26, 2017 11:46:43 AM

Save the date for a CFU BBQ - 6/8/17 — Jun 17, 2017 2:46:48 PM

Vals Flowers of hope... — May 14, 2017 2:44:21 PM

Whats happening at our next few meetings! — Apr 29, 2017 1:19:49 PM

Our Lisa and CFU in the Ipswich Star — Feb 15, 2017 10:25:43 PM

Newsletter request — Jan 18, 2017 8:37:54 PM

2017 - the plans ahead — Jan 18, 2017 8:36:45 PM

Upcoming and help needed — Nov 26, 2016 11:20:22 PM

Last meeting of the year - November 2016 — Oct 27, 2016 8:26:24 PM

Hello! — Aug 23, 2016 4:13:46 PM

Gemma running! — Mar 12, 2016 2:27:56 PM

Saturday drop in and we turn 5! — Mar 10, 2016 4:41:35 PM

Happy New Year — Jan 9, 2016 5:36:59 PM

Quiz is this Saturday 24th October 2015 — Oct 20, 2015 7:10:23 PM

You're late, you're late for a very important date! — Sep 15, 2015 8:26:04 PM

The time is near.... — Sep 9, 2015 5:51:31 PM

Upcoming September 2015 — Aug 31, 2015 8:41:43 PM

Thank you and here's to the future! — Aug 1, 2015 1:43:55 PM

Monthly meeting August — Jul 31, 2015 11:24:59 AM

Watch this space... — May 23, 2015 4:25:08 PM

2015 so far! — Feb 21, 2015 12:51:05 PM

Quiz 2014 — Oct 12, 2014 4:06:34 PM

September newsletter out now! — Sep 10, 2014 5:44:57 PM

A massive thank you. — Jun 21, 2014 2:56:17 PM

June newsletter now available! — Jun 19, 2014 6:19:50 PM

May's blog — May 18, 2014 7:26:00 PM

Lots to blog about today! — Mar 15, 2014 5:32:48 PM

Saturday session — Feb 22, 2014 2:06:29 PM

Busy week coming up! — Feb 13, 2014 4:06:44 PM

Testing web site — Feb 7, 2014 8:39:13 PM

Friday 11th July 2014 - Save the date — Feb 3, 2014 10:22:43 PM

Full steam ahead for 2014 — Jan 23, 2014 6:17:07 PM

Happy New Year - 2014 — Jan 3, 2014 3:45:41 PM

AGM what was discussed and upcoming, — Nov 9, 2013 2:10:17 PM

OCTOBER NEWSLETTER — Oct 22, 2013 4:44:45 PM

BBQ - This Sunday! — Sep 26, 2013 7:31:43 PM

Coffee Morning, BBQ and Quiz — Sep 10, 2013 6:04:38 PM

Upcoming — Aug 7, 2013 6:51:06 PM

Discussion from last meeting - keeping cool — Jul 4, 2013 2:38:39 PM

Upcoming for July! — Jul 1, 2013 7:31:15 PM

Relationships topic — May 7, 2013 10:45:45 AM

Upcoming — Apr 19, 2013 11:42:07 AM

Movie Night — Mar 20, 2013 3:09:41 PM

Upcoming — Mar 19, 2013 9:08:19 AM

Coffee Morning Dates — Mar 11, 2013 4:04:04 PM

Pain and Pain Management — Feb 25, 2013 3:24:37 PM

Updated a couple of pages on site. — Feb 22, 2013 4:39:27 PM

Meeting discussion points- 5th Feb 2013 — Feb 7, 2013 2:22:15 PM

Happy New Year — Jan 2, 2013 3:17:12 PM

Dec 2012 Photo Special Newsletter is out! — Dec 4, 2012 11:21:38 AM

Updated Meet the Team Page — Nov 29, 2012 9:19:51 PM

December newsletter and our next meeting — Nov 26, 2012 3:42:46 PM

Events upcoming over the next 2 months — Nov 1, 2012 10:01:30 PM

Quarterly committee meeting this Sunday. — Jun 8, 2012 9:13:10 AM

Issue 4 Newletter is ready....finally!!!! — Apr 1, 2012 8:53:53 PM

Upcoming - March 2012 — Feb 25, 2012 8:37:57 PM

Happy 2012! — Jan 17, 2012 7:26:11 PM

Launch photos are up. — Nov 17, 2011 9:30:09 AM

Thank you for the launch — Nov 14, 2011 8:09:04 PM

4 days till the launch! — Oct 25, 2011 8:16:42 AM

11 days till our Community Launch — Oct 16, 2011 8:57:57 PM

Commitee Meeting 24/08/2011 — Aug 26, 2011 2:37:03 PM

6 Month BBQ — Aug 11, 2011 12:51:05 PM

August Updates — Jul 25, 2011 12:50:25 PM

ME Community Launch Event — Jul 12, 2011 2:53:13 PM

June meeting — Jun 9, 2011 2:04:55 PM

May updates, newsletter info and other stuff. — May 26, 2011 2:50:35 PM

Group marks ME Awareness week in our pj's — May 12, 2011 12:06:46 PM

PJ Party Theme meeting Tuesday 10th May — May 8, 2011 3:39:21 PM

Updates — May 3, 2011 9:01:08 AM

Our Stories Page — Apr 12, 2011 2:56:21 PM

Meeting Tomorrow & Penfriends Required! — Apr 4, 2011 12:08:06 PM

Meeting Tuesday 5th April — Mar 31, 2011 3:16:22 PM

Articles for Newsletter required! — Mar 19, 2011 12:07:23 AM

1st meet up is today. — Mar 1, 2011 8:34:56 AM

Cake Elimination Challenge — Feb 18, 2011 9:09:29 AM

Thank you all for the positive feedback. — Feb 2, 2011 2:17:44 PM

Today is launch Date! — Feb 1, 2011 8:17:22 AM

Advertising — Feb 1, 2011 8:17:11 AM

Update! — Feb 1, 2011 8:16:52 AM

ONE Week Till Launch Date!!! — Jan 25, 2011 12:22:38 PM

Launch Date is approaching — Jan 22, 2011 11:31:48 AM

Launch date is approching- here is what I have done. — Jan 19, 2011 3:12:14 PM

Welcome — Jan 12, 2011 2:46:23 PM