'Ipswich is now my super power' – young people take their town to Westminster

Why it matters: The visit came as the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) became the first central government department to sign the Power of Youth Charter — a commitment, developed by the #iWill movement and backed by more than 400 organisations, including Ipswich.co.uk, to give young people a meaningful say in decisions that shape their lives.

The details: Ipswich ambassadors Alex, Jess, Tabbie and Abi attended the signing on Tuesday, 3 June — Power of Youth Day, held annually during Volunteers' Week — where they shared their social action journeys with Minister Peacock and spoke about their work building Ipswich as a Town of Youth Social Action.

Abi told the minister: "This work has meant I am no longer accepting words like being from Ipswich means we have no aspiration. We are on the national stage now, and coming into this room as a young person from Ipswich is now my super power."

What they're saying: Minister Peacock said: "The Power of Youth Charter demonstrates our commitment to making sure the voices of young people are heard at every stage of the decisions that shape their lives.

"Since we began developing the National Youth Strategy, young people have told us clearly what they need: real opportunities, spaces to connect with each other and trusted adults, and their voices heard in government. This charter gives young people that voice."

Stephen Skeet, director of business development and partnerships at Volunteering Matters — the Ipswich-based organisation that co-ordinates the #iWill movement alongside UK Youth — described the youth strategy as "groundbreaking – for young people, by young people."

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott said: "I'm always proud to be part of Team Ipswich, but I especially was today. I am delighted our department — the Department for Culture, Media and Sport — is the first in government to do so. They are not just leaders of tomorrow, but leaders right now, today."

What DCMS has committed to: As part of signing the charter, DCMS will:

• Provide shadowing opportunities for young people within DCMS policy teams
• Give young people opportunities to hold the government to account on the National Youth Strategy through an Annual Hearing
• Involve young people in grant-making and recruitment panels relating to the strategy
• Invite young people to speak at DCMS events so they can share their experiences directly with ministers, staff and partners

For context: The Power of Youth Charter was developed by the #iWill movement and is backed by more than 400 organisations, including NHS England and the Premier League. The charter signing builds on the government's £500m National Youth Strategy — "Youth Matters" — published in December 2025, the first cross-government youth strategy for England in 15 years. The strategy was shaped by engagement with more than 14,000 young people across England, including young people in Ipswich.

Ipswich became the UK's first Town of Youth Social Action in 2023. Abbott signed the charter himself two years ago, and Ipswich.co.uk was the first media company to become a Power of Youth Charter member.

The bottom line: Four young people from Ipswich stood in a government minister's office on Monday and helped hold Westminster to account. It's further proof that the town's reputation as a national leader in youth social action is no longer just a badge, but a genuine platform – one that this town's young people will continue to make the most of.

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