Ipswich will see 50 new communication boards installed around the town to help non-verbal adults and children. 

The boards, which include symbols representing common words and phrases and will enable non-speaking people to communicate with others, are the brainchild of councillor Sam Murray who has funded them from her Suffolk County Council locality budget. 

They will be installed in public areas including parks, shopping areas, at Ipswich Town Hall and the Regent Theatre. 

Cllr Murray said: “It’s really important that these boards will be placed in areas we typically visit such as our community centres, libraries, the Cornhill and theatre. It will show that Ipswich is an inclusive town.

"By providing our residents and visitors of the town with a means of communication, we will hopefully be a step forward in not only increasing awareness but embedding these extra tools into our day-to-day life.

"My thanks go to the parks team at Ipswich Borough Council for their support on this project," she added.

The first of the 50 boards has now been delivered to Castle Hill Community Centre which will be hosting a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) hub which starts in July.

Cllr Murray said: “The response by community leaders who are keen on supporting the aims of these boards has been wonderful and has opened up a discussion around communication and language.

"My thanks to all those on board including Garath Jones, the manager of Castle Hill Community Centre who will be installing the first of this batch of 50."