The Shoebox Community Hub

10/04/2026

After five incredible years, we’re saying a huge thank you to Mark Ahier as he steps back from leading Bakingforwellbeing. Mark has done something truly special - bringing people from all backgrounds together through the simple joy of cooking and baking.

From those early sessions during Covid to the wide range of courses and partnerships that followed, he has helped many people build confidence, learn new skills and most importantly, connect with others. We know how much the project has meant to so many of you, and we’re incredibly grateful to Mark for everything 🧁🙏

16/02/2026

Fantastic to have one of our brilliant community members on our experience host team!

Wow - what a weekend! One of our newest Experience Hosts, Chris, delivered his very first Norwich’s Hidden Street Tour, and it was a brilliant success. Chris is no stranger to The Shoebox; he’s been a long-standing member of our weekly Creative Writing Group at the community hub every Wednesday afternoon. With his wonderful storytelling ability and his passion for bringing history to life, Chris is an absolute natural. Those well-earned rounds of applause said it all! If you’re joining a tour soon, you might just get to meet him. Here he is in action!

07/02/2026

🧠🗣 It’s National HIV Testing Week!

As part of our sexual and reproductive health project Lift The Lid, The Shoebox wants to shout loud and proud about HIV testing week and why it matters.

🔑 A few key facts:
• Anyone can be affected by HIV
• Testing is the only way to know your HIV status
• If you have HIV, finding out early means you can start treatment and stay healthy
• HIV testing is free, quick, and easy
• Anyone diagnosed with HIV in the UK can access free treatment and support

👉 Order your FREE HIV test kit here:
🔗 bit.ly/3KzpQLD

✔️ Free test kit
✔️ Plain packaging
✔️ Do it yourself at home

Yep, it really is that simple.

💬 Got questions or need help ordering your kit?
Chloe is happy to help with any sexual health questions.
📧 Email: [email protected]

🏠 Or pop into the hub on Monday to catch her in person.

29/01/2026

It takes a lot of guts to do this.

Last night, members of our Bridges Creative Writing Group performed at Reflex Theatre’s WIP It Up event at The Garage Norwich, sharing brave, personal and raw work with a packed room.

It was a proud moment - seeing the group’s growth and the Shoebox community turning up to support them.

Bridges is a peer support creative writing group for people with lived experience of mental health issues and meets every Wednesday at The Shoebox.

We’re delighted the group has been announced as resident artists, so you can now find them at WIP It Up every month.

Huge thanks to Reflex Theatre and everyone who made the space feel safe enough for these stories to be shared. 👏

12/01/2026

Happy New Year Everyone 🤗

Let’s Start by talking about women’s health 💛

The Shoebox is teaming up with The Magdalene Group at the end of January to hold a welcoming safe space for important conversations around women’s health and we’d love all you ladies to join us!
This will be an informal, relaxed session where we’ll gently explore different women's health topics.

There’s no judgement, no embarrassment, just an open supportive space to chat and ask questions. Chloe and Iulia will be guiding the session, there’ll be time for conversation, a few giggles, and maybe even learning something new about our wonderful bodies. ♀️🗨️👭

25/12/2025

Merry Christmas everyone! 🎄

🎄Merry Christmas from us to you! ✨

Community Coordinator Clarissa and our Community Mascot Ben would like to wish all our followers a very Merry Christmas filled with joy, laughter and festive cheer!

11/12/2025

This week marks 10 years since The Shoebox Enterprises CIC was born!

Originally known as Pop Up Enterprises, what started as an idea round a friend’s coffee table has become a community that brings people together every day. Thanks to your support we have:

✨Built a thriving community of hundreds of people in Norwich & Great Yarmouth
✨ Volunteer-led groups, social activities and peer support every week
✨ Members telling us they feel more confident, more connected and more fulfilled
✨ Developed new ways of listening to communities and strengthening the places we live
🎟️ Welcomed over 60,000 visitors through The Shoebox Experiences
⭐ Received thousands of five-star reviews
🏆 Achieved No.1 ranking on Tripadvisor in Norwich for tours and experiences

It hasn’t always been easy. We’ve faced rising costs, reduced grants and even the risk of losing our home - but the determination of this community is what keeps us going.
We’re still working hard to buy our building… fingers crossed next year is the year 🤞

Our official celebrations will be next year when we hit 10 years of actually doing the work (we didn’t really get going until year two!), but this unofficial milestone still feels worth marking.

Thank you for everything you’ve helped create.

Here’s to the next decade of discovering, laughing and growing together!

05/12/2025

💛 Badges, body positivity and brilliant chats!
Our members got creative and opened up about what body positivity really means to them!

What a great Lift the Lid session! 🌈✨

✨ Next Lift the Lid: 18th December at 10:30am
Keep an eye on our weekly email update or drop Chloe an email at [email protected] for all the updates. 📩

03/12/2025

✨ Want to start the New Year by giving back? ✨
Why not volunteer at The Shoebox Hub!

Join our amazing volunteer team and help support the fantastic groups we run here at the Hub. These groups mean so much to our members and with brilliant volunteers like you we can keep them thriving, welcoming and full of creativity and connection. 💛

If you’re looking to make a difference, meet new people and be part of something meaningful. We’d love to hear from you!

For a full description of these roles, email [email protected].

03/11/2025

🎃 A little throwback to Friday’s Halloween party! 👻
How amazing did some of our members look?! They really went all out with their costumes, such creativity and effort all round! 💀🕸️
The atmosphere here in the Hub was so lovely! So much laughter, energy, and Halloween spirit. 🧡

21/10/2025

Ready to see Mile Cross through fresh eyes?

🎧 Episode 3 of our Community Unboxed podcast is out now!

Join Mile Cross Connectors Ally and Claire as they share what it’s really like to support and connect people in one of Norwich’s most misunderstood areas.

They talk about grassroots initiatives like Green Hearts and MX Care Free for young carers, and the often-overlooked assets that keep the neighbourhood thriving - from community centres and churches to small volunteer-led projects.

Through residents’ stories, you’ll discover why Mile Cross is far more connected than many assume - and why those who leave often find themselves drawn back.

Available now on Spotify, YouTube and Apple Podcasts.

SOUNDYARD Norwich City Council Phoenix Centre - MX mileXchange Norfolk Wildlife Trust