Key-shaped art trail unlocks youth ambition

Aleeza from Ipswich Academy said she wanted to help inspire young people into NHS jobs or to become journalists

Colourful key-shaped art work has been created in town centre shop windows to celebrate "creativity, ambition, and community spirit."

Youth Voice Unlocked is part of the ongoing Thomas Wolsey 550 project, marking the anniversary of the birth of Ipswich's historic statesman who served Henry VIII.

Four high schools worked with local artists to design the motifs, each representing something young people need to unlock their potential.

Aleeza, 14 , from Ipswich Academy, said: "We need to keep our aspirations high and not let anybody break that down - no matter what people tell you, you can do it."

Eleanor's key illustrates her ambition to be a medic in the Royal Navy, painted in the front window of the Buttermarket shopping centre

Eleanor, 14, from Ormiston Endeavour Academy, painted a key to reflect her ambition to join the Royal Navy as a medic.

"You need to have confidence and believe in yourself to achieve that dream," she told BBC Radio Suffolk.

More than 40 students spent Monday and Tuesday creating the artwork, painting directly on to glass windows with colourful marker pens.

The window of Unit 1 in the Buttermarket shopping centre has a mural inspired by Wolsey's Gate - the historic entrance to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey's intended college in Ipswich, on Star Lane, which was never completed.

Aleeza adds colour to the gate, intended "as a reminder that big dreams can start here"

Hannah Houghton, education and opportunities lead for the Wolsey 550 project, said: "This is part of 'I Will' week, which represents youth social action and all the campaigns that young people are doing.

"This has been about young people coming together in the place they call home, and representing their dreams for the future, so it has all been really positive."

The project was supported by Volunteering Matters, the #iWill Movement, and BBC Children in Need.

#iWill Week runs 17–21 November 2025.

Libby and Eleanor said the atmosphere working on the project was really positive

Lisa White, who runs the Crafty Fox cafe in The Walk in the town centre, said it was great to be involved with young people who felt they were part of Ipswich