Brighten the Corners
Proud supporters of free and independent local journalism in Ipswich
Browse upcoming gigs
Check out upcoming BTC events across their three brilliant venues
Special Education Needs & Disabilities
County council plans 200 new SEND places as demand grows by 40% in five years
Suffolk County Council's cabinet will review proposals for 200 new specialist education places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Meet the Ipswich trainer helping disabled people find joy in fitness
A chance training session with a friend's brother who has Down syndrome led Callum Foster to discover his passion for helping people with disabilities access fitness.
Nearly half of Ipswich disability benefits claimants not migrated to Universal Credit
Nearly half of Ipswich Employment Support Allowance (ESA) recipients who received migration notices haven't yet transferred to Universal Credit, new figures reveal.Suffolk County Council reveals blueprint for improving Suffolk's SEND services
A comprehensive 177-page report analysing Suffolk's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services has been published, providing detailed recommendations for immediate improvements to the system.
Ipswich MP hails Budget's SEND funding boost in Commons speech
Ipswich MP Jack Abbott has praised the government's £1 billion investment in special educational needs during a House of Commons debate on the Budget. The Labour MP said the funding marks an important "statement of intent" to fix what he described as a "national crisis".
Charity seeks £4,000 funding boost to help SEND families in North West Ipswich
A Suffolk charity is requesting nearly £4,000 in funding to expand its support for families with children who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in north west Ipswich. The North West Area Committee will consider the application at a meeting on Thursday 7 November at 7.00pm.
Special education system faces £4.6bn deficit as Ipswich MP warns of 'desperate' situation
A damning report has revealed England's special educational needs system is "financially unsustainable" and failing to deliver better outcomes for children, as Ipswich's MP warns local families have "utterly lost faith" in the service.Government responds to special educational needs concerns in Suffolk
The Department for Education has outlined measures to address "widespread failings" in Suffolk's special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services following questions from Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Patrick Spencer.
Suffolk County Council approves £9.1m special education needs funding boost amid soaring costs
Suffolk County Council approves an additional £9.1 million investment in special educational needs and disability (SEND) services over the next three years as demand surges and costs spiral.
Today's supporter
Brighten the Corners
Brighten the Corners runs a diverse live music programme, training and education opportunities across three venues, and an annual multi-venue festival in Ipswich, Suffolk.