The funding, totalling over £500k, will go to half a dozen projects in Ipswich:
- Stoke Bridge viewing platform (£125,000 - Ipswich Central / LOCUSMS)
New seating and planting will be installed with new permanent interpretative displays and a viewing gallery on the bridge.
- London Road premises work (£100,000 - Lofty Heights)
Work to complete a fit out of London Road premises so that bespoke training courses for young people not in education, employment or training can be run through the Trade Skills Academy, giving young people practical skills in the construction sector.
- Lighting rig and tour-grade PA for music venue (£76,674 - Sounds East)
Supporting a local music venue to purchase its own lighting, PA and DJ set up enabling them to promote more events on a regular basis and attract local and national promotors and artists.
- Achieve Vocation project (£137,862 – Inspire)
Designed to engage with young people who are facing various challenges within school or are already disengaging from school. The project supports personal development, employability skills, well-being, and vocational experiences.
- Risk Avert programme (£16,095 – SCC Public Health)
Funding for a Risk Avert one-year pilot to 8 secondary schools and 4 Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) in Ipswich. Programme explores ways of helping young people understand and manage risk.
- Our Town Heritage theatre project (£50,000 – Red Rose Chain)
To create a new heritage theatre project, ‘Our Town’, which will bring together disadvantaged and disabled young people and young adults from diverse communities in Ipswich through exploring the heritage of the town. A programme of drama workshops working with different groups across Ipswich which will feed into the creation of an illustrated book and inspiring celebration of the untold history of Ipswich, written and directed by Artistic Director Joanna Carrick.
The money comes from Suffolk County Council’s £2 million Ipswich Investment Fund. This fund was established following the council’s Cabinet approving recommendations from the Ipswich Policy Development Panel (PDP) back in March 2023. It was set aside to support the delivery of projects across the town, following engagement with a wide range of local partners and stakeholders.
These recommendations include boosting employment opportunities for young people, working with partners to develop the town’s arts, culture and leisure offer and enhancing sustainable travel options, on a project specific basis.
Councillor Paul West, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for Ipswich, operational highways and flooding, said:
“During what is a very exciting time for Ipswich, I am glad to announce the next six projects forming part of the £2 million Investment Fund for the town.
“Following the recent announcement of the first project to upgrade the streetlighting on the waterfront, these new projects look set to boost opportunities for young people in the town and improve on our growing arts and music offer.
“Our driving force behind this fund has focussed on the council’s key objectives to improve the health and wellbeing of our residents and to strengthen our local economy – we will continue to keep residents updated with dates and progress related to these projects."
