A youth zone in Ipswich has gone from strength to strength in its first year bringing 40 young people together every week. A youth zone in Ipswich has gone from strength to strength in its first year bringing 40 young people together every week.
The youth club is based at Triangle Church on Dickens Road in Chantry, and was set up to offer a safe space for children to socialise.
The project has been hailed as brilliant in an area were it "wasn't an easy life for some people".
To celebrate a one-year anniversary night of the club was held on May 19 with a DJ, BBQ, ice cream van and face painting on offer.
The youth club is based at Triangle Church on Dickens Road in Chantry, and was set up to offer a safe space for children to socialise.
The project has been hailed as brilliant in an area were it "wasn't an easy life for some people".
To celebrate a one-year anniversary night of the club was held on May 19 with a DJ, BBQ, ice cream van and face painting on offer.
Ipswich Town mascot Crazee was also in attendance to take pictures with people there. Ipswich Town mascot Crazee was also in attendance to take pictures with people there.
Lisa Clarke, who is the brains behind the idea, said: "It's been an amazing first year.
"The volunteers that we get, have been brilliant. We couldn't have done this without them every week.
"It's also great to see kids coming and thinking 'yes, it's Thursday, get to go to youth club.'
Councillor David Ellesmere oversaw funding at the youth club from Ipswich Borough Council which fitted astroturf and floodlights in the play area outside for the children to use.
He said: "It's really good to see this go on for a year.
"Yes the Borough Council provided the funding, but actually what we are seeing here are parents and volunteers who are running it.
"It was really important for us to provide long-term funding, and we will keep the funding in place for the future."
He said: "It's really good to see this go on for a year.
"Yes the Borough Council provided the funding, but actually what we are seeing here are parents and volunteers who are running it.
"It was really important for us to provide long-term funding, and we will keep the funding in place for the future."
Volunteers at the youth zone, with Mayor of Ipswich, Lynne Mortimer, Councillor David Ellesmere and Grant Catchpole from YourShirts. Credit: Tom Cann (Image: Tom Cann)
Also in attendance was the recently elected Mayor of Ipswich, Lynne Mortimer, on her first official business in office.
She said: "This is fantastic.
"I am so happy that this youth club got off the ground so well and they are doing amazing things for these young people.
"It's really impressive work that's going on here.
"Just look around at all these children, they are the future, and this is exactly what the area was after because it wasn't an easy life for some people, but this is brilliant."
Also in attendance was the recently elected Mayor of Ipswich, Lynne Mortimer, on her first official business in office.
She said: "This is fantastic.
"I am so happy that this youth club got off the ground so well and they are doing amazing things for these young people.
"It's really impressive work that's going on here.
"Just look around at all these children, they are the future, and this is exactly what the area was after because it wasn't an easy life for some people, but this is brilliant."
The team at the Youth Zone (YZ) all wear matching shirts, which were made for them by YourShirts.
Grant Catchpole from YourShirts, said: "We were looking to do things for the community and we heard about this and we wanted to help out.
"The t-shirts say Trust, Fun and Inspire, with YZ in the middle of a heart."
