Cllr Mark Jepson, ward member for Eastern Felixstowe, along with fellow East Suffolk councillors, Jan Candy and Seamus Bennnett provided a combined amount of £1,400 from their Enabling Communities Budgets to support the local arts via the Beach Street Youth and Community space.

The Beach Street Hub operated by the youth charity Level Two is a dedicated youth and community facility located within the container village at Beach Street. As an accredited Arts Award Centre, their arts programme offers opportunities for young people to gain AQA accreditations, which for many, are the first steps towards re-engaging with education, training, or employment.

The funding provided by the councillors will allow the community space to hang and celebrate young people’s artwork so they can be permanently displayed along with themed exhibitions throughout the year. In addition to purchasing new hanging systems, the funding will enable the purchase of new tables, foldable chairs and storage racks to maximise space.