The Place to Bee, creating a new shared space for Lowestoft

Something new is taking shape in Lowestoft, and it starts with bees, soil, and people coming together.

Thanks to funding support from the Suffolk Community Foundation, through the East of England Co-op Cares Fund, Project Apis CIC is launching The Place to Bee, Lowestoft’s first community apiary and social garden.

At its heart, this project is about turning an overlooked space into somewhere people feel welcome to spend time, get involved, or simply be around others in a calm, unpressured way.

“Not everyone wants to join a group or sign up to something formal. This is about creating a place where people can just turn up, take part in something practical, and feel comfortable being there.”
Jamie McBride, Director, Project Apis CIC

From unused ground to shared garden

The project is based at The Mayfly, an independent arts and community café on Lowestoft’s historic High Street. Alongside the café, a previously fly-tipped patch of land is being transformed into a productive garden and community apiary.

Local residents and volunteers have helped shape the idea from the start, and many are already involved in clearing, planting, and planning how the space will be used. The apiary will sit within the garden, becoming part of a wider shared environment rather than something separate or closed off.

A different way to connect

The Place to Bee is designed to support people who may not engage with traditional services or structured activities, particularly those experiencing loneliness, poor mental health, or a lack of connection to their community.

By combining gentle outdoor work, beekeeping, and the informal social setting of the café, the project offers:

• practical, hands-on activities that give people something to focus on

• opportunities to learn new skills without pressure or expectation

• space for conversation, or quiet, depending on what people need that day

Volunteers are supported through training and mentoring, allowing people to move from simply taking part to helping lead sessions or support others over time.

Building on what works

This project builds on learning from Project Apis CIC’s community apiaries in Great Yarmouth, which have already supported dozens of local people to reconnect with nature, build confidence, and feel part of something shared.

Those experiences have shown that small, regular, nature-based activities can make a meaningful difference, especially when people are given time, consistency, and a welcoming environment.

What comes next

The funding allows The Place to Bee to establish strong foundations, ensuring the apiary and garden are community-led and sustainable from the outset. As volunteers develop skills and confidence, the project will continue to grow locally while contributing to a wider network of community beekeeping across Norfolk and Suffolk.

We’re grateful to the Suffolk Community Foundation and the East of England Co-op Cares Fund for backing this work and helping make inclusive, community-run green spaces possible in Lowestoft.

We’ll be sharing updates as the garden and apiary develop, including ways to get involved, here on the website and through our social channels.