Felixstowe Opportunity Group - Supporting Our Community Since the 1990s
Felixstowe Opportunity Group (FOG) was founded in the early 1990s by a group of local mums who wanted to create a safe, welcoming and supportive place for their children with additional needs. What started as a small local initiative has grown and developed over the years, adapting to the changing needs of families and the wider Felixstowe community. At the heart of everything we do is the belief that everyone deserves to feel welcome, included and valued. We provide opportunities for people to connect with others, develop confidence, learn new skills and enjoy being part of their community.
A new chapter for FOG
Like many community organisations, FOG faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, a new team stepped forward to continue the work that had been started decades earlier and to ensure that Felixstowe Opportunity Group remained an important part of the local community. Since then, FOG has continued to grow, developing a wider range of projects designed to support people at different stages of life and through different circumstances. From inclusive play and sensory activities for young children to community gardening and bereavement support, our aim is to provide practical, friendly and accessible support where it is needed.
Inclusive play for children
Our Little Foggies Playgroup provides an inclusive environment where children of all abilities can play, learn and grow together. Through a Montessori-inspired approach and learning through play, children are encouraged to develop independence, confidence and social skills while making friends and having fun. We believe that inclusion starts from an early age. Giving children the opportunity to play alongside others with different abilities helps them develop understanding, empathy and acceptance – values that can stay with them throughout their lives.
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Growing connections through roses
Our Roses Community Gardening Group uses the garden as a place to bring people together. Gardening provides an opportunity to get outdoors, learn new skills, enjoy nature and connect with others in a relaxed and supportive environment. Roses is particularly valuable for people who may be experiencing isolation following bereavement, unemployment, mental health challenges or other difficult circumstances. Sometimes simply having somewhere to go, someone to talk to and a shared activity to enjoy can make a real difference.
Find out moreSupport through Tulips
Our Tulips Peer Bereavement Support Group provides a safe and understanding space for people coping with the loss of someone they love. Grief can be incredibly lonely, and while there is plenty of information and support available online, sometimes there is nothing quite like sitting alongside another person, sharing how you feel over a cup of tea and a biscuit. Working alongside a trained counsellor, Tulips combines group discussion and creative activities such as art therapy to help people explore their feelings, share experiences and find ways to cope with grief. There is no pressure to attend every month – everyone can access the group in the way that feels right for them.
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More than a playgroup
Today, Felixstowe Opportunity Group is much more than a playgroup. We are a community organisation bringing people together, creating opportunities and providing a place where children, families and individuals can feel supported and included. Whether you are joining Little Foggies for a play session, getting involved in Roses, attending Tulips, or simply looking for somewhere welcoming to meet other people, our doors are open. We are proud of our history, grateful to everyone who has helped FOG along the way, and excited about continuing to develop our work within Felixstowe and the surrounding community.
Our Aim
Our aim is simple: to create an inclusive community where nobody feels left behind.
We want FOG to be a place where people can build friendships, find support, learn, grow and feel that they belong. With the continued support of our volunteers, families, local community and supporters, we can continue making a positive difference to the lives of people across Felixstowe.
