Mental health talk show pops-up in Ipswich empty shop
An appeal for audience members was made on social media, with the recorded programme due to be broadcast on YouTube.Guests on the pilot show included actor and comedian Omid Djalili, who has become a keen advocate of Ipswich's creative scene since moving to the town four years ago.Also appearing was Kaine Stromberg, a transformational mindset mentor, and musician Native James, who is nominated for a Mobo award in the Best Alternative Music Act category, with the winners due to be announced at a ceremony in Newcastle upon Tyne on 18 February.Adams explained his philosophy was "build it and they will come". "And star power appeared and so we were like, 'wow, this is fantastic' and I loved the fact that they were very open in speaking about their mental journey," he said.
Sarah Tieck, from media company This Is Ipswich which makes videos on life in Ipswich, said she wanted to support work to help men deal with issues such as mental health and domestic violence. "I have experienced first hand how important safe spaces for young men are," she said. "I want to showcase spots in Ipswich where young men can feel heard and learn how to communicate."Glen Chisholm, a former Labour councillor and Mayor of Ipswich, was in the audience and said: "I was really impressed with the event and it made excellent use of a space which was sitting empty."Great to see young local talent perform and be involved, and the conversations were very powerful, thought provoking and relevant."
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BBC News
21-07-2025
- BBC News
Podcast festival in Ipswich to help give young people a voice
Young people are being asked how to make their town better as part of a new music, dance and podcast is happening at DanceEast in Ipswich on 7 August and follows a series of pop-up chat shows staged in empty shops, focusing on men's mental Sarah Tieck, who shares work on her This is Ipswich Instagram account, is working with poet and promoter Raph Adom, who puts on events under the brand Scripted Tieck said: "We don't have the answers but we're looking to get the questions from young people about what Ipswich could be doing better for them. Why aren't they coming into the town?" The event will include live music and dance performances, along with a panel discussion with questions from young people aged 18-25 about what they would like to see in the event will be filmed and shared on social Adom told BBC Radio Suffolk: "We grow up and we forget what it's like to be a teenager. "A lot of the time youngsters just want to hang out. They don't even want a purpose at that point in time, they just want to hang out and allow it all to hang out. "So I want the elders of any community to understand that it's okay for youngsters just to be youngsters, even if they are sitting in a square on their phones, don't demonize them." Ms Tieck said: "I grew up in Shotley Gate, so I wish I knew more what was happening in the town [Ipswich] that I could actually get involved in, because I was a bit scared of going into town as a youngster. "I remember being 13 and going on the bus for the first time, but I was just going to McDonald's and just sitting on the town steps and stuff, you know. "Ipswich is one of those places where there's so much happening, but it doesn't smack you in the face, it's not advertised."It's not even advertised to the different council estates in the town, let alone the outside areas like Shotley." Getting young voices heard Other ways for young people to share their views in Suffolk include:The #iwill movement have held hackathon events in Ipswich for 10 to 21-year-olds, as part of engagement work by the charity Volunteering there has been a Suffolk Youth Parliament and there is currently the Suffolk Youth Forum, part of the Children and Young People's Services at Suffolk County Suffolk Council has a Youth Voice group Community Hub Ipswich (Chip) has also run informal youth forums. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Singer Lemar reveals how he copes with life-changing medical condition
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Scottish Sun
15-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Rapper caught with knife after tussling with cops called to a fatal crash is jailed
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