EAST BERGHOLT YOUNG PEOPLE COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT
FOR YEAR 2025/2026

The work of the committee this year has been dominated by the youth club. It has been – as
they say – a journey – and not an easy one.
The Ipswich-based youth charity 4YP was appointed by the committee – and the youth club for
years 7 to 11 opened for the first time on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at the Benneworth
Lounge.
On that first night, a casual decision to allow some year 6 pupils to attend was to have lasting
consequences. Older attendees became increasingly put off by the presence of primary school
children and stopped going.
Meanwhile, 4YP itself was going through a time of transition with a change of chief executive
and other members of the management team.
The issue of attendance numbers has dominated the year and under-pinned the strategy behind
a re-launch which took place on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. The youth club is now running split
sessions: 5pm to 7pm for Years 7 and 8; 6.30pm to 8.30pm for Years 9, 10 and 11. We are
hopeful that this change will make the youth club more appealing to more of our young people.
The committee would like to thank Constable Hall for being such an accommodating and
welcoming venue for the youth club. However it isn’t ideal, and it is disappointing that the
transfer of the Congregational Church to the community seems to be no further forward as it
would make a much better venue.

The committee would also like to acknowledge and thank our two talented and dedicated youth
workers, Oli and Elle. We are lucky to have them.

This year the committee has also:
● Continued to assist with funding for the Toddler Group at St Mary’s Church
● Established closer links with the Primary school and the High School
● Funded a Constable-themed trip and a workshop for Primary school pupils
● Made plans for a canvassing exercise to better understand the needs of our young
people

Salie Davies (resigned as Chair in October 2025) & Marion Burns (elected Chair in Oct 25)
30.04.2026