Our 25-year strategy sets out our ambitions for a generation of change.
Each year the ISMA steering committee publishes an action plan, highlighting 3 key acts of leadership that our young people tell us we should focus on in pursuit of our vision.
Our 2024-25 aims and acts of leadership across our alliance were:
ACT 1: Create more moments where young people can connect, influence and inspire
The commitments by our ISMA partners in this section helped create these important moments for young people in Ipswich. By providing opportunities for young people to connect with each other, with adults, and with their community, these organisations are helping them to develop a strong sense of belonging and purpose.
By giving young people a voice and a platform to share their ideas, we are empowering them to shape their own future and the future of their town.
Together for Ipswich (TFI) committed to engage with Christian youth workers and leaders to gather young people's perspectives and inform TFI's work.
Suffolk New College set out to establish a Youth Leadership Forum to empower learners to become leaders of change and collaborate with local businesses and community leaders. They also said that they would work with Ravenswood Primary School and Mini Mindfulness to develop a program for children that focusses on resilience, mentoring, and exposure to study and career opportunities.
The Thomas Wolsey 550 project coordinatedcoordinated multi-school opportunities and workshops in workplaces to expose young people to various employment options before they choose their GCSEs. They also re-run their Wolsey 550 PlaceChangers group, which allows young people to deliver street art projects in central Ipswich.
#iwill set out to facilitate an ambassador program for young people from Ipswich, including up to 30 young people and 50 #iwill Champions.
Volunteering Matters promised to create moments for young people to get their voices heard and deliver a youth ambassador program to encourage young people to continue to get involved in youth social action.
The CF Group committed to support young people in sharing their views and participating in suitable activities. They also offered a meeting room for meetings of up to ten people.
DanceEast consolidated its youth leadership through three levels of engagement: YouthFest, CAT Ambassadors, and Community Participants. These groups collaborate to ensure youth priorities are represented at the governance level.
ASSET Education promised to involve young people in leadership recruitment and procurement activities, provide them with a platform to share their passion and vision through public speaking, and work with young people to rewrite the Power of Youth Charter.
One Sixth Form College committed to mentor and support students in Key Stage 4, fostering self-esteem and empowering them to reach their full potential. They also extended their Skills Escalator program for local primary schools to inspire pupils in Key Stage 1 through employer engagement.
ACT 2: Amplify the leadership of young people and organisations in Ipswich
Amplifying the leadership of young people and organisations in Ipswich is key to empowering youth voices, supporting collaboration, and driving positive change.
By highlighting and promoting the valuable contributions of young people and the organisations that support them, we aimed for greater engagement and impact. ISMA organisations set out to amplify youth leadership by providing platforms for young people to share their ideas and successes, establishing clear channels for communication and collaboration, building connections between youth-serving organisations and other stakeholders, and recognising and celebrating the achievements of young people. By highlighting this leadership, we wanted to create a more inclusive, youth-driven community where young people feel empowered to make a difference and shape their future.
#iwill took the Lion's share of leadership in this area of work in Year 2, committing to:
employ an Engagement Manager to coordinate communications for ISMA, amplify the impact of partner organisations, and attract new partners and funding.
establish a community of practice network in Ipswich for Power of Youth Charter signatories to share knowledge and best practices.
collaborate with Children in Need, involving them in ISMA meetings and facilitating small grants to organisations that have signed the Power of Youth Charter.
connect with other towns and cities involved in similar processes, enabling the exchange of experiences between organisations and young people.
fund research to define the impact of youth social action and its effects on behaviours and outcomes within a community, specifically through the Connected Ipswich Model.
involve Ministers and the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) in this work, seeking their support and funding.
In addition:
The Thomas Wolsey 550 project will provide opportunities to amplify youth leadership by working with freelancers, SMEs, and larger organisations across various sectors in Ipswich.
The University of Suffolk (UoS) will seek funding for and establish a methodology for longitudinal research to measure progress against the proposed "Ipswich Connected Life Model".
ACT 3: Challenge inequalities and barriers to social mobility
Challenging inequalities and barriers to social mobility is essential to ensure that all young people in Ipswich, regardless of their background or circumstances, have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
By addressing these inequalities, we create a more equitable and inclusive Ipswich where everyone has a fair chance to succeed.
The commitments outlined in this section provided targeted support and opportunities for young people who face additional challenges, such as those from disadvantaged backgrounds or with special educational needs.
4YP committed to involve young people in developing a flagship Youth Hub, providing a safe and inclusive space on the Ipswich Water Front.
The Thomas Wolsey 550 project promised to deliver activities to broaden young people's understanding of career options, develop their skills and confidence, and ultimately aim to retain talent in Ipswich.
#iwill offered to host events to engage young people and empower them to lead change in identified areas.
Volunteering Matters said they would actively seek and incorporate the perspectives of diverse groups, including teenage parents and young offenders.
ASSET Education promised to support the ASSET Arrows, our Pupil Parliament, and our EcoCouncils in all of our primary schools to lead on a new strategy for food that is healthier and more sustainable. We will provide the support needed for these young people to work in their communities to address the challenges to eating well. We'll give them platforms to share their views and social action regarding food and the environment, and we'll create connections and seek funding to empower their work.
ASSET Education committed to continue our ASSET Alumni programme, providing any necessary support and connections they need to bring their “People Park” concept to life in Ipswich, and to ensure that we learn from their experience of transition to high school in order to shape our primary education curriculum and pastoral support.
Ipswich Borough Council developed a Community Engagement strategy to improve community engagement, with a specific focus on youth engagement and addressing homelessness.
Ipswich Community Media set out to continue its efforts to challenge inequalities, support marginalised young people, and tackle complex issues with courage and creativity, guided by their Youth Steering Group.
