#iWill is a movement comprised of over 1000 organisations and 700 young #iwill Ambassadors & Changemakers from across the UK. They are united by a shared belief that all children and young people should be supported and empowered to make a positive difference on the issues that affect their lives, their communities, and broader society. #iWill is empowering, challenging, independent, collaborative and inclusive – it belongs to everybody. The #iWill movement is powered by young people and organisations. The #iWill Ambassadors and #iWill Changemakers, alongside organisations who sign up to the Power of Youth Charter, help ensure meaningful action is taken to support more children and young people to be active citizens. The #iWill Partnership is made up of leaders of collective action groups working within and across sections and nations of the UK to guide the #iWill movement. The independent #iWill Coordination Hub, hosted by Volunteering Matters and UK Youth, supports the #iWill Partnership, #iWill Ambassadors and broader #iWill movement.

How was #iWill formed?

In 2012, the Prime Minister asked Dame Julia Cleverdon and Amanda Jordan OBE to review how to increase the quality and quantity of youth social action. After a wide-ranging consultation their report highlighted the barriers to youth social action and produced a set of recommendations. Barriers included a shortage of activities in education from 10 upwards; confusion in the education and business sectors about the kind of initiatives they could support; failure to promote and inspire young people to take part; and an absence of a coherent vision to promote a culture of youth social action. The recommendations were to create an easy to navigate “service journey” for young people; scale up programmes to fill gaps in provision; embed social action in young people’s educational experience (school, further and higher education); develop a culture of promoting and celebrating youth social action comparable to effective programmes run in other countries around the world. The review concluded that an initiative uniting organisations and the public should be set up to increase opportunities for young people. This initiative should be time limited, add to existing activity, and be a research and advocacy body, not one running programmes itself. This initiative is #iWill, it has cross-party support and comprises over 1000 organisations and 700 young people. It was coordinated by the charity Step Up To Serve between 2013 and 2020. It has now grown into a self-organising movement and from 2021 key support functions are delivered by Volunteering Matters and UK Youth. <a href="https://iwill.org.uk/future-of-iwill" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Find out more </a>about this transition and how it happened.

How does #iWill work?

The #iWill Movement’s collective action is guided by the <a href="https://iwill.org.uk/about-us/about-iwill-campaign" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#iWill Partnership</a> – a cross-sector, UK-wide collaborative group made up of funders, young people and the co-chairs of nation and sector groups that meets quarterly. Sectors and nations within the UK have established self-organising groups that meeting regularly and exist to drive progress toward the #iWill vision within their respective nations/ sectors. The Co-Chairs of each of these groups (one young person, one organisation representative) also hold a seat on the #iWill Partnership Board. The key support functions for #iWill, such as the communications and the running of the #iWill Ambassador and Changemaker network are delivered by a consortium made up of two UK charities: Volunteering Matters and UK Youth. These charities were chosen following a 3-month competitive process in 2020, after Step Up To Serve – the charity that originally coordinated the #iWill campaign – closed down as planned at the end of 2020.

How are young people involved in #iWill?

The campaign is represented by 300 young #iWill Ambassadors. They come from a variety of backgrounds across the UK, but all have one thing in common – a passion to make positive social or environmental change. They have played a powerful role in championing youth social action and shaping the direction and activities of #iWill. #iWill Changemakers were launched in autumn 2019, in order to give a wider cohort of young people who are passionate about youth social action ways to support #iWill. We work with our #iWill Ambassadors and Changemakers in various ways. They help to shape the campaign’s strategy, spread the message about youth social action and encourage organisations to get involved.

What is the #iWill Fund and can I apply for funding?

<a href="https://iwill.org.uk/about-us/iwillfund" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Visit our page on the #iWillFund</a>.

How is #iWill funded?

Progress towards the #iWill vision is resourced by the organisations that are a part of the movement at their own discretion. A number of youth social action projects are also funded by the #iWill Fund in partnership with 25 Match Funders. Volunteering Matters and UK Youth host an independent #iWill Coordination Hub. You can find out how Volunteering Matters and UK Youth are funded on their respective websites or through the Charity Commission.

How can I get in contact with #iWill?

Get in touch via the #iWill social media channels: @iwill_campaign or by emailing <a href="mailto:iwill@volunteeringmatter.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">iwill@volunteeringmatter.org.uk</a>. If you are an #iWill Ambassador or Changemaker you can speak directly to the team supporting this network at <a href="mailto:iwill@ukyouth.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">iwill@ukyouth.org</a>

Introducing the new team! Get to know Sarah and Lucy.

13 February 2025

Can you introduce yourself and your role at #iWill?

Sarah

My name is Sarah, I’m the Digital Communications Manager for the #iWill Movement (covering Cate’s maternity leave). I live in Manchester and have done for 10 years now! I love to travel and visit different Cities – my favourite would have to be Lisbon! I love Pastel De Natas 😍 My hobbies include visible mending, animation (stop motion and frame by frame in particular!) outside of the house – I enjoy running and love rummaging for hidden gems in my local charity shops!

Lucy

My name is Lucy, the Youth Development Coordinator for #iWill and I’m from Belgium, though my mum is from the UK. I’m 24 years old and have a background in international projects, having worked in Nepal and Cambodia on children’s and human rights programmes in 2022 and 2023. In addition to my professional work, I’m an avid traveller and love backpacking on a budget. When it comes to hobbies, I enjoy running, walking in the woods, and am a big fan of women’s football and rugby. And, of course, I’m a proud lover of Belgian food—especially fries with mayo (never ketchup!).

What inspires you to be a part of the #iWill team?

Sarah

I’m inspired by the creative & passion driven ideas #iWill Changemakers bring to their social action and how we all collaborate & co-create content to share your stories! I hope that during my time here I am able to help to showcase the incredible work all the young people in the #iWill Movement are doing for the world to see!

Lucy

What inspires me the most is the incredible dedication of our young people. Their drive to create positive change in their communities is truly admirable. I’ve always believed in the power of young people’s voices, which is why I’m so excited to be part of this team. If I can help inspire young people to raise their voices and grow in the process, I know I’m making a difference. I’m a massive cheerleader for you, even from behind the screen, and I applaud everything you do on your advocacy journey.

How do you engage with young people on social media ?

Sarah

Engaging with young people on social media starts with authenticity. The #iWill Movement is youth-led, so it’s essential that our content reflects the voices, stories, and impact of our ambassadors. By sharing their social action journeys, we inspire others to get involved and create change. I feel privileged to be in this role and am committed to amplifying the voices of young changemakers, ensuring their work is recognised and celebrated. Social media isn’t just a tool—it’s a platform for young people to lead the conversation and shape the future.

Why do you think it’s important for young people to have their voices heard and be given opportunities?

Lucy

In today’s world, young people are at the heart of every change that shapes the future. They understand the challenges they face better than anyone else, and they know how things can be done differently—and better. Young people are more politically engaged than ever before, and their voices are crucial on issues like justice, peace, the housing crisis, and the challenges of breaking into a tough job market. More people and organisations should give young people the chance to lead and make an impact. Most importantly, we need to listen to them.

Is there an inspiring quote you’d like to share with our Changemakers?

Sarah

An affirmation/quote I recently liked was “Keep dreaming. Keep doing. Keep going. Keep growing’.

Lucy

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandh

Introducing the new team! Get to know Sarah and Lucy.

Can you introduce yourself and your role at #iWill?

Sarah

Lucy

What inspires you to be a part of the #iWill team?

Sarah

Lucy

How do you engage with young people on social media ?

Sarah

Why do you think it’s important for young people to have their voices heard and be given opportunities?

Lucy

Is there an inspiring quote you’d like to share with our Changemakers?

Sarah

Lucy

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Introducing the new team! Get to know Sarah and Lucy.

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