Latest news with #IpswichCommunityMedia
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Charity marks 10 years of 'learning and creativity'
A charity which works with "those at the margins of society" was holding a series of events to mark its 10th anniversary. Ipswich Community Media (ICM), which runs language courses and a range of youth projects, was founded in 2015, with no funding or premises. Since then, the charity said it had connected with 60,000 people through workshops, events, and performances. Director Bruce MacGregor said: "This milestone is about more than what we've achieved; it's how we've done it: through participants, volunteers, staff, partnerships, passion, and trust." The charity celebrated with a town parade last week, with a music and food event set to run over the weekend. A parade through Ipswich town centre was held on Saturday, 21 June, accompanied by drummers and people wearing cultural dress. A birthday party with live music, dance and international food was planned to be held on the following Saturday at St Stephen's Church music venue. There was also an event to launch a new music video and EP created by South Street Kids - one of the ICM projects which engages 7-12 year olds, at the Eastern Angles Centre. ICM Connected, an online alumni network, was also being developed to mark the anniversary. ESOL Integration team manager and co-founder Linda Vines said: "It's a place where we bring people together, we empower them, they feel safe, they feel heard." Reflecting on the start of the charity, she told BBC Radio Suffolk: "There were nine of us. "We were made redundant from our previous employment, and we had a dream really. We started off with nothing, basically, and we were able to build." Initially, ICM was able to use a room inside the Ipswich Council for Racial Equality office, before moving youth projects into South Street Studios and language teaching into space on St Matthew's Street in 2019. "Gradually, we were able to secure some after 10 years, we have had over 2,000 learners who have come through the integration team," she said. Monika Puchala, who joined in 2016 and now works for ICM as a maternity project co-ordinator, said: "I started as a learner, then a volunteer as a community champion, and now I'm in my fourth year of working for ICM. "This shows what you can achieve if you have the right level of support." 2,112 learners have accessed English language courses They worked with people from more than 40 different nationalities 249 young people engage each year in youth and music programmes 900-plus advice sessions were run supporting people navigating life in a new country 110 volunteers have contributed time, skills, and energy More than 60,000 people have been connected through workshops, events, and performances Gulshan Kayembe, chair of the board of trustees and current High Sheriff of Suffolk, said: "Over the past ten years, Ipswich Community Media has championed local stories, provided vital education and skills training, and created spaces for people of all backgrounds to come together to learn and to grow. "It has created a 'family' that no one wants to leave and where everyone who it has touched, who has been part of the ICM journey, wants to come back." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Community charity moves to bigger town centre home High Sheriff sets sights on youth reoffending rates Ipswich Community Media
BBC News
16 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Ipswich charity marks 10 years of 'learning and creativity'
A charity which works with "those at the margins of society" was holding a series of events to mark its 10th Community Media (ICM), which runs language courses and a range of youth projects, was founded in 2015, with no funding or then, the charity said it had connected with 60,000 people through workshops, events, and Bruce MacGregor said: "This milestone is about more than what we've achieved; it's how we've done it: through participants, volunteers, staff, partnerships, passion, and trust."The charity celebrated with a town parade last week, with a music and food event set to run over the weekend. A parade through Ipswich town centre was held on Saturday, 21 June, accompanied by drummers and people wearing cultural dress.A birthday party with live music, dance and international food was planned to be held on the following Saturday at St Stephen's Church music was also an event to launch a new music video and EP created by South Street Kids - one of the ICM projects which engages 7-12 year olds, at the Eastern Angles Connected, an online alumni network, was also being developed to mark the anniversary. ESOL Integration team manager and co-founder Linda Vines said: "It's a place where we bring people together, we empower them, they feel safe, they feel heard."Reflecting on the start of the charity, she told BBC Radio Suffolk: "There were nine of us. "We were made redundant from our previous employment, and we had a dream really. We started off with nothing, basically, and we were able to build."Initially, ICM was able to use a room inside the Ipswich Council for Racial Equality office, before moving youth projects into South Street Studios and language teaching into space on St Matthew's Street in 2019."Gradually, we were able to secure some after 10 years, we have had over 2,000 learners who have come through the integration team," she Puchala, who joined in 2016 and now works for ICM as a maternity project co-ordinator, said: "I started as a learner, then a volunteer as a community champion, and now I'm in my fourth year of working for ICM."This shows what you can achieve if you have the right level of support." ICM in Numbers 2,112 learners have accessed English language coursesThey worked with people from more than 40 different nationalities 249 young people engage each year in youth and music programmes900-plus advice sessions were run supporting people navigating life in a new country110 volunteers have contributed time, skills, and energyMore than 60,000 people have been connected through workshops, events, and performances Gulshan Kayembe, chair of the board of trustees and current High Sheriff of Suffolk, said: "Over the past ten years, Ipswich Community Media has championed local stories, provided vital education and skills training, and created spaces for people of all backgrounds to come together to learn and to grow. "It has created a 'family' that no one wants to leave and where everyone who it has touched, who has been part of the ICM journey, wants to come back." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
High Sheriff sets sights on youth reoffending rates
A new county high sheriff says she wants to support work to stop young people reoffending "because we can't just keep building more prisons". Gulshan Kayembe, from Felixstowe, has been made the High Sheriff of Suffolk for 2025/26. The role is a 12-month independent, non-political royal appointment. Ms Kayembe, who has a background in education, said: "When you look at who is in prison, especially men, significant numbers have been excluded from school - so what is it that we don't do to address the underlying needs?" The title of High Sheriff dates back to Saxon times, with the holder responsible for law and order and collecting taxes. Nowadays, there are 55 High Sheriffs across England and Wales who support the judiciary, crime prevention agencies, emergency services and the voluntary sector. Ms Kayembe was formally sworn in during a ceremony at Ipswich Crown Court on 27 March, taking over the role from Yvonne Gilchrist-Mason OBE. Her work is supported by the Suffolk Community Foundation, which hosts the annual High Sheriff Awards. Latest government data shows that almost six out of 10 offenders jailed for less than a year go on to break the law again. Speaking to BBC Radio Suffolk after her first month in post, Ms Kayembe said: "I have decades of experience in education which tells me there are groups of pupils who are more vulnerable when it comes to getting into bad company. "There are organisations in Suffolk that do wonderful work, and I'm interested to visit them, and bring that community voice together with the services. "So more decisions can be taken by being informed with what is being done on the ground by communities themselves, so we can focus more of our work and collaborate more effectively." Hannah Bloom, chief executive of Suffolk Community Foundation, said: "Gulshan is well known to the foundation as a previous trustee and also in her role as chair of Ipswich Community Media. "We look forward to working with her to help promote her theme of 'Equity through Prevention', which will focus on working collaboratively to prevent children and young people offending or leaving education." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. 'Tough on crime' policies behind prison crisis, says review Charities honoured at High Sheriff awards Suffolk High Sheriff Facebook Suffolk Community Foundation GK Learning
