Why it matters: The trip, funded by Suffolk County Council, exposed local teenagers to career opportunities in politics and public service that they may not have known existed, helping broaden their horizons beyond traditional career paths.
The big picture: As a Power of Youth Charter signatory, Thomas Wolsey 550 prioritises youth leadership through immersive workplace encounters designed to showcase the wide range of career options to young people while giving them a voice in democratic processes.
What they experienced: Students toured both the House of Lords and House of Commons, learning about historical political protests, including suffragette Margery Hume's damage to the Viscount Falkland statue. After an impromptu photoshoot with UK Armed Forces personnel during Armed Forces Week, they participated in a Q&A session with Ipswich MP Jack Abbott.
Topics discussed with Abbott ranged from public transport costs to demand for teenage recreational facilities.
The details: Students met professionals working across Parliament in various roles, including digital services, building restoration, and parliamentary assistance. They learned about different career pathways in government and public service, with a particular interest in Parliament's workplace diversity and inclusivity.
One student remarked: "I've realised that working in parliament isn't just open to wealthy people [and that] there's more to working in politics than being a MP and a PM."
What's next: The session concluded with a workshop where students shared their career aspirations, ranging from travel blogging to music production, identified the barriers they face, and explored strategies to overcome them. Solutions discussed included increasing music equipment provision and entrepreneur mentoring in schools.
The workshop also covered ways young people can get involved in youth social action to create positive change in Ipswich.
Thomas Wolsey 550's Education and Opportunities Lead Hannah Houghton said: "We've run dozens of immersive workplace encounters over the past year – each one carefully designed to show young people a range of careers they probably didn't even know existed. The Parliament trip not only introduced the students to a wide range of career options but also gave young people the opportunity to understand the workings of democracy and recognise their fundamental right to have their voices heard.
"I'd like to thank everyone who made the day possible, but particularly Jack Abbott's Chief of Staff, Farah Hussain, and Abi and Abiola Abidoye from Youth Consults, and all the people we engaged with in parliament who made the students feel welcome and inspired."
The bottom line: The Westminster visit successfully combined career education with civic engagement, showing Ipswich students that politics and public service offer accessible career paths while empowering them to understand their role in democracy.
