I Will Campaign Week. Empowering Young People

Written by: Sophie Taylor

21st – 25th November is #Iwill week, an independent campaign to create opportunities for 10 – 20 year olds to get more involved with their local communities. Activities include campaigning, fundraising and volunteering: gaining invaluable experience taking ‘practical action in the service of others that creates positive change’.

The campaign is backed by leaders from across UK society, led by HRH The Prince of Wales with renewed support from all of the main political parties. Charity, Step Up To Serve coordinated the initiative.

Their goal is to to enable 60% of all 10-20 year-olds  to take part in meaningful social action by the year 2020. In 2014 the figure was 40%. If the campaign is successful, an additional 1.5 million young people will become more active in their communities.

Regardless of background and location, all young people can get involved, developing skills in the process whilst positively impacting their community. The campaign aims to make sure this ‘social action’ continues, or is a one off opportunity with continued benefits.

Back in 2012, obstacles facing youth social action were recognised, such as a shortage of activities in schools from 10 years upwards and a lack of understanding of initiatives available with not enough promotion of the culture of youth social action. Dame Julia Cleverdon and Amanda Jordan OBE were called on to help rectify these issues and the #iwill campaign was born, with the help of Step Up to Serve.

Make an #iwill pledge

Are you a business, education, voluntary or a public sector organisation? #iwill can only be a success if partners join the campaign and make pledges of support. Over 500 organisations have already got on board. Why not take a look at what they’ve pledged and have a think how you could get involved too. If you need help shaping your pledge, take a look at the pledge guidance.

Volunteer

Just some examples of roles available include your local Girl Guides or Boy Scout leaders, London based mentoring system, Envision or sign up to Team London; the mayor’s volunteer programme for the capital. 

And now for a word from our Princey features himself:

“To give all young people the opportunity to take practical action in the service of others has been a lifelong ambition for me. This campaign will not succeed without the drive of organisations and individuals from every sector. I am incredibly proud of the young people across the U.K. who are doing marvellous things, which are not only benefiting their communities, but also help them to develop their own skills and character.”

HRH The Prince of Wales, Patron of Step Up To Serve and the #iwill campaign

Find out more at www.iwill.org.uk