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Your chance to attend town centre documentary spotlighting 'unheard male voices' in mental health

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Proud supporters of free and independent local journalism in Ipswich

Global performers and local talent are coming together at the Buttermarket to create a new documentary addressing men's mental health challenges in Suffolk – and you're invited to join them.

Why it matters: The collaboration between This Is Ipswich and Scripted Development aims to effect change in how men are "seen and understood" in society, focusing on creating safe spaces for open discussion about mental health.

Raph of Scripted Development and Ramon Bradshaw Logan of Ipswich Community Media
Raph of Scripted Development and Ramon Bradshaw Logan of Ipswich Community Media

The details:

  • Filming will take place on Thursday, 30 January in the former Superdry store at the Buttermarket.

  • The event will feature guest speakers answering questions and live performances, including poetry, spoken word and music.

  • International performers, including Jake Beautyman, who has performed DJ sets in Berlin and Brazil, and filmmaker Kashif O'Connor, known for his work at London and Prague film festivals, will participate.

  • Members of the public are invited to join the audience at 14:30, with filming to begin at 15:00.

  • The event will finish at 19:00.

What they're saying: "Our collaborative mental health doc will help tell the story of many all too often unheard male voices. It will be seen in the spaces, places and faces of the masses to help effect change for how we, men, are seen and understood," says Raph of Scripted Development.

For context: This Is Ipswich has established itself in the local community over the past six months, producing short reel videos featuring conversations with townspeople.

The bigger picture: This Is Ipswich CEO Sarah Tieck says the documentary is part of a longer-term solution to societal issues, aiming to "educate young men on how to communicate and express how they're feeling without fear of ridicule".

Raph of Scripted Development
Raph of Scripted Development

What to look out for: The documentary will focus on several key areas:

  • Encouraging positive physical health

  • Guidance on personal presentation

  • Identifying safe spaces for open discussion in the local community

Supporting the event: Local businesses are contributing, with Fresh Start Charity providing furniture and Harvest Moon Vegan Cafe supplying refreshments for audience members.

The bottom line: The project represents a collaborative effort to address men's mental health through creative expression and open dialogue, bringing together local organisations and international talent in the heart of Ipswich.

Head over to the former Superdry store at 14:30 to get involved.

Ed Sheeran surprised more than 200 Ipswich students with an impromptu performance at The Baths

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Check out upcoming BTC events across their three brilliant venues

St Stephens Church, The Baths and The Smokehouse in Ipswich

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Has Fabio Wardley's 'dream' Portman Road fight moved one step closer?

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The British heavyweight champion and diehard Ipswich Town fan could see his ambition to fight at his beloved club become reality after a new licence application.

Why it matters: Ipswich Town Football Club has applied for a variation of its licence at Portman Road. The application has requested boxing or wrestling entertainment to take place between 12:00 and 22:30 on Sundays to Thursdays, as well as 12:00 to 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

West Stand at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
West Stand at Portman Road stadium in IpswichHolly Woodard-Williams

What they're saying: Speaking with the BBC, an ITFC spokesperson said: "Following infrastructure improvements to Portman Road over the past couple of years, it will not be uncommon for the stadium to apply for various licences to host events across different sectors; this is just one of many that will start to appear."

For context: British heavyweight champion and Ipswich Town fan Fabio Wardley said it was his "dream" to fight at the ground.

In October 2024, Wardley told BBC Radio Suffolk he wanted to fight at Portman Road, saying: "It's still the dream and it's on the cards".

"If anything it's closer than ever now because being with Frank Warren my promoter, he's done stadium shows before and he knows how to put them on.

"When it happens is still a massive question but pieces are definitely falling into place for this."

Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in IpswichAlamy

The bigger picture: Ipswich Town chief executive, Mark Ashton, said in November 2024 that the club had been in discussion with Wardley about appearing at the ground and that it was in the "pipeline" but not "imminent".

The details: The club has also requested to be permitted to include live music performances, playing of recorded music, dance performances as well as alcohol sales and late night refreshments.

Portman Road underwent a series of improvements last summer to prepare the ground for Premier League football, including new media facilities, more executive boxes and the introduction of safe standing areas at the ground for the first time.

What's next: Posters advertising the change have been put up in the area around the ground with people able to have their say on the change until 24 April.

Ed Sheeran surprised more than 200 Ipswich students with an impromptu performance at The Baths

Browse upcoming gigs

Check out upcoming BTC events across their three brilliant venues

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