Meet Gulshan: Suffolk High Sheriff, ICM Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Change Maker in Ipswich

At the core of ICM’s work, we believe in nothing more than uplifting and supporting each other, strengthening the bonds that make our community so great. That is why we were so proud to see Gulshan Kayembe, our Chair of the Board of Trustees, be sworn in earlier this year as High Sheriff, becoming the first woman of colour to be appointed to this role in Suffolk.

The Importance of Community and Connection

Gulshan has been with us at ICM since 2022 as our Chair, playing an integral part in helping us promote connections within Ipswich’s diverse communities and championing social justice and cohesion. Prior to joining us, she has been involved with projects across Suffolk, including chairing the Suffolk Police Authority, working as a trustee at Suffolk Community Foundation, and serving as a Local Education Authority Officer to name a few.

Gulshan is also a champion for young people. Her passion for fostering creativity and confidence is inspiring, and her time working in the education sector has helped improve the prospects for a multitude of students.

At ICM, she brings this same commitment to our youth programmes, supporting initiatives like South Street Kids and our alternative provision, ON TRACK, for young people facing barriers in education. Under her leadership as Chair, Gulshan has helped us strengthen our focus on giving young people the tools, confidence, and safe spaces they need to thrive — whether that’s through creative learning, mentoring, or helping them celebrate their identities. Her belief that no child should be left behind runs through ICM’s work, and her guidance continues to inspire our mission to unlock potential and create brighter futures for the next generation in Ipswich.

 Supporting Local Causes

Not just a champion for ICM, in her time so far as High Sheriff, Gulshan has attended many local events and visited a huge range of businesses, organisations, and charitable causes. From hosting the Suffolk Adult Learners' Awards, to encouraging young people at the #iWill summer school, barely a day goes by when Gulshan isn't out and about in the community.

Recently, we saw the One Big Multicultural Festival mark its thirteenth anniversary at Alexandra Park, and Gulshan expressed delight at how the event brought people together through food, music, and shared ideals.

Equity Through Prevention

Gulshan aims to tackle crime by preventing it at its source. Promoting a theme of ‘Equity Through Prevention’, she hopes to work with local organisations to stop vulnerable young people from dropping out of school and getting involved in crime from a young age.

With her background in education, Gulshan knows how easily young people can fall through the cracks without the right support. She works to bring organisations together to prevent this, particularly for young people with additional needs who risk exclusion. At ICM, this aligns with our alternative provision On Track and music programme Making Waves, which both create inclusive, creative pathways that help vulnerable young people stay engaged, build confidence, and shape brighter futures.

Gulshan in Her Own Words

Recently we caught up with Gulshan to ask her about her role as Suffolk’s High Sheriff, and her plans going forward with this exciting opportunity.

What are your priorities or areas of interest as High Sheriff? 

Prevention work - how can we stop people getting into prison in the first place and, if they are given custodial sentences, how do we stop the 'revolving door' i.e. going back in again. The profiles of people in prison should make us take a long hard look at our society and how fair it really is - about 70% been excluded from school; over a third with diagnosed ADHD but probably twice as high if we take account of those not diagnosed; high level of dyslexia; high level of mental health needs; women and people of colour and those from poorer backgrounds get much harsher sentences.

Is there anything you’re particularly looking forward to? 

Meeting all the organisations that are doing amazing and really creative work to support those on the margins of society.

What difference do you hope to make as High Sheriff? 

To connect organisations that could be more effective working together; to enable community voices to be amplified and heard by the statutory sector; to change mindsets and encourage at least one or two statutory organisations putting investment into prevention work.

Have you had any good advice for the role? 

Great advice - best one has been 'Pace yourself'. 

What's your message to the people of Suffolk? 

Let's work together; let's listen more to one another; let's hold the statutory sector more to account.

We look forward to seeing Gulshan continue to thrive in her position, and wish her all the best in her endeavours to make Suffolk a kinder, safer, and more connected place for everyone.

📸 Photos by Luke Tomlinson