The club and Foundation are proud to have signed the Power of Youth Charter, as part of an ongoing commitment to providing young people in Suffolk with opportunities to shape their communities.

Led by the #iWill Movement, the Charter unites organisations across the UK that back young people not just as participants, but as partners in social action and change.

As part of that commitment, the club and Foundation will be launching two new youth voice groups, empowering young people in Ipswich and wider Suffolk to voice their opinions and drive the change they wish to see in their community.

The Ipswich Town Junior Supporters’ Voice Board will give young fans the opportunity to have their voices heard and help shape the club’s approach to young fan initiatives and experiences, alongside other projects.

The Ipswich Town Foundation Youth Voice Board provides a chance to have young people’s voices heard and help shape the future of the Foundation’s work across our community, identifying participants of Foundation programmes aged 11 to 16 who want to share their ideas, represent the views of their peers and help influence projects, programmes and decisions that affect young people.

Both boards will be open to young people aged 11 to 16, with the Foundation Youth Voice Board open to those currently taking part in Foundation sessions, and the Junior Supporters’ Voice Board open to Season Ticket Holders.

Applications for both panels will open next week, with full information on the process to follow.

“We’re delighted to welcome Ipswich Town Foundation to the growing community of organisations championing youth voice through the Power of Youth Charter,” said Stephen Skeet, Director of Business Development and Partnerships at Volunteering Matters.

“The Foundation’s plans to establish both a youth voice group and a Fans of the Future panel demonstrate a clear commitment to ensuring young people are not only heard, but actively involved in shaping decisions that affect them.”

The club and the Foundation join more than 50 Power of Youth Charter signatories in Ipswich – one of the strongest local networks for youth voice and social action anywhere in the UK.

“Young people are at the heart of everything we do,” added Head of Insight, Impact & Development at Ipswich Town Foundation, James Payne.

“Signing the Power of Youth Charter reflects our commitment to ensuring young people’s views help shape our programmes and future direction. We’re excited to build on this through our new youth boards and create even more opportunities for young people to contribute, influence and lead.”

The Power of Youth Charter is a pledge to listen to young people, work alongside them and create real opportunities for them to shape their communities and organisations. More than 500 organisations across the UK have signed up so far.