4YP moves to the Waterfront: a space built for you
After more than 25 years on Lower Brook Street, 4YP has a new home on the Ipswich Waterfront. Four years in the making, designed by the people it's intended for - and it has an air hockey table!
What was once an empty unit on the Ipswich Waterfront is now home to 4YP. A space created by and for young people.
What is 4YP?
A charity that has supported the mental health and wellbeing of young people aged 7 to 25 in this town for over two decades.
Founded in 2000, 4YP's vision is that all children have:
- somewhere safe to go
- something positive to do
- someone trusted to connect and journey with
4YP moved in on 28 September and the space they have built is unlike anything Ipswich has had for young people before.
Private counselling rooms. A café. A self-service drinks bar. A craft room. A cosy snug. Air hockey. Pool. A film screening space.
All of it designed around a question asked of young people back in 2022: if you could create your own safe and welcoming place to go, what would it look like?
The project took four years and a £1.14 million grant from the government's Local Regeneration Fund to get here.
We visited before their official opening, - and can confidently say it was worth it.
"It's a really nice space to just come in and hang out with mates, get counselling. It's an amazing space."- Lucy, Suffolk New College student
Suffolk New College students were among the first young people through the doors. Tommy said: "It looks really good. If I did have a problem I would genuinely come here." Tyler was already thinking about spreading the word: "It's good they can have an external thing literally down the road. They can go to at lunch times and have a safe space to talk to people."
Chief Executive Rebekah Warnock said older young people had been clear: "They want somewhere to go that's not a pub."
4YP offers a wide range of clubs and groups where you can get involved in activities, talk to others or simply have a safe hangout spot.
Two new groups for older young people launch in the first week of November.
New groups - launching November 2026
The 16–18s Space — Mondays, 15:00–17:00. A welcoming revision and social space.
The Connect Project — Wednesdays, 18:30–20:30. Life skills and social group for 18–25 year olds.
The official grand opening is Thursday 22 October 2026. If you are aged seven to 25 and based in Ipswich - this space is yours.
