Adastral Park - "Making It Happen" conference
Over 200 individuals gathered at Adastral Park for the "Making It Happen" conference!
Over 200 individuals gathered at Adastral Park for the "Making It Happen" conference!
17th September 2024, Ipswich Corn Exchange
On the 17th September, the Ipswich Corn Exchange was the stage for a celebration of youth-led change. The Ipswich Social Mobility Alliance held its Year 1 Review, bringing together key partners, passionate young people, and inspiring leaders like #iwill Ambassadors Abi and Abisayo Abidoye, and Claire Muhlawako Madzura.
Respresentatives and young people from local organisations such as ASSET Education, Volunteering Matters and 4YP reflected on the changes they have seen as we worked through the first year of action.
As we reflected on the progress made and the impact of initiatives like Youth Switching On Ipswich, it became clear that collaboration and community are the driving forces behind positive change.
Young people's positive attitude towards Ipswich and the future of Ipswich was inspiring for everyone attending and reminded us of the central goal, which is to improve opportunities for those within Ipswich.
We're excited to continue this journey, empowering young people to shape the future of Ipswich and increasing avenues for social mobility.
2048 is a long way off, but the work starts here
Ipswich has gained the title of the UK’s first “Town of Youth Social Action” working with the
#iwill movement, joining Manchester, the first City of Youth Social Action, in leading a national movement to put the voices of children and young people at the heart of local decision-making.
19th June 2023, Adastral Park 11-2
After our "Festival of Ipswich Voices" we came together as Alliance members to create a strategy based on young people's vision for our town.
So we met as over 200 allies in January 2023, made space to hear young people's views, considered how our system doesn't always work for everyone and launched the Festival of Ipswich Voices. This festival led to the creation of the Festival of Ipswich Voices map.
The conference on 19th June was focused on how we use what young people are telling us to change the system, how we work together to make Ipswich a welcoming, equitable, compassionate, aspirational town that lifts up every young person in the way they want and need.
Young people designed and delivered this conference and we are really proud of how well executed it was.
February – May 2023
After our One Ipswich launch event in January we asked Alliance members to start the big conversation with children, young people and their families - asking what their vision was for an Ipswich that improved life chances and enables all children to meet their potential.
You'll find a resource pack that captured these conversations here, and we amplified key messages on our interactive map, before returning in June to build a strategy enabling all of our organisations to build that vision.