Bishop gives Tim new role with the Church of England

Tim Holder starts his role as director of engagement this month (March 2024) with the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.

Tim, who lives near Ipswich, said: “I am a Suffolk boy and have always said that, no matter how special our county is in so many other ways, it is the people who make this such a great place to live, but sadly not for us all. 

“Suffolk is a caring county and I’ve seen that clearly demonstrated so many times, especially by the many who volunteer day in day out within their local community. 

“I am a Christian and have a personal faith, and I’m very much looking forward to bringing this more to the fore in my professional life. 

“For many years I have seen so many people giving their time to help people, quietly motivated by their faith and often supported by their local church. 

“I’m particularly looking forward to helping this work grow and make an even greater difference to the lives of local people.”

Tim Holder (Image: Keith Mindham)

Tim has already started visiting volunteers making a real difference, including a visit to St Thomas The Apostle church in Bramford Lane, Ipswich.

St Thomas’ has a food bank every week, helping up to 50 people with 12 volunteers. It also holds youth activities weekly for up to 30 young people aged 11-19 and havs a wellbeing café weekly every Thursday between 11am-2pm.

“After spending only a short time with Rachel and the team, I could so clearly see how passionate they are about caring for people of all ages and backgrounds in their community and, in particular, how much their group of young people value being a part of church activities,” he said. 

“It’s really precious work and brings stability and much needed hope to often fragile lives that are really only just beginning.”

Mr Holder previously worked for the East Anglian Daily Times, The Times and Sunday Times. He has also been in the voluntary sector in international development in Africa, India, Bangladesh and Latin America. He returned to Suffolk nine years ago as Director of Development and Communications at Suffolk Community Foundation. 

He said: “During my recent time with the foundation, I’ve been working with many people who wanted to make a difference in Suffolk and I’m really excited to bring my knowledge and experience to the diocese.

“I saw the need in Suffolk a long time before Covid 19 and the cost of living crisis made an already difficult situation worse. 

“More people than ever before are living in poverty, experience isolation, poor mental health or are struggling with addiction or abuse.

“We all need to focus on building hope and the best way to demonstrate faith is through positive action. 

“The Church of England remains the largest charitable organisation in Suffolk. I am excited to be part of the team at a time when it is even more crucial to look outwards and engage with a wider cross-section of our society to make a deeper and more sustainable difference.” 

The Rt Rev Martin Seeley, Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, said: “ I am thrilled that Tim is joining the diocesan staff .  

“He will bring his love of Suffolk and of the Church, as well as his huge experience with the Suffolk Community Foundation. 

“In this role he will support parishes and congregations in their community outreach, and help the story of our churches’ pastoral and community work be more widely known.  

“I am looking forward to working with Tim as we seek to show and share God’s love in Suffolk.”

Gary Peverley, Diocesan Secretary, added: “Tim is well known across Suffolk to many. He joins us at a time when the diocese is even more focused on supporting our parishes and communities, and his involvement will help us more effectively contribute to the work of our clergy, congregations and partners as they reach out to their communities to meet local needs. 

“It’s a part-time role four days a week, and one that has been vacant for sometime, so I’m really excited to appoint Tim and am looking forward to working with him at this challenging time for so many.”