Engaging with Young People

The Ipswich Society is keen to engage with young people and as a new member of the Executive Committee I have been asked to assist in that initiative. The project is in its early stages and a strategy has yet to be proposed and agreed.

However to make a start I made contact with Suffolk New College and found myself presenting the work of the Society to a group of students undertaking their studies on the BTEC Extended Diploma in Business.

Following the presentation the course tutor, Ian Howlett, kindly agreed to link one of the study units with an area of interest to the Society - the future promotion of the town of Ipswich. The students have identified a number of projects ranging from a new shopping centre to improvements to the night-time venues.

An opportunity presented itself for two students, Amy Carpenter and P J Banjo (photo below), to join me at a workshop with the Ipswich Central Town Centre Forum exploring future initiatives for the Ipswich Central team to adopt and take forward. Both students took a full and active part in the workshop making valuable contributions on behalf of young people. Carole Jones, an Ipswich Borough Councillor on our table at the workshop, said, "Having the students on our table was a real asset, Graham," and I entirely endorse that comment. They were a credit to themselves and Suffolk New College.

I am hoping this success will lead to a long term relationship between the Society and Suffolk New College. Certainly I have found that there is a wealth of knowledge and experience within the Society that can be of value to young people interested in the past, present and future of Ipswich.

I would be pleased to hear from any school, college or other organisation that would like to discuss opportunities for the Society to engage with young people.

Graham Smith