#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>

EMPOWER YOUNG PEOPLE

The #iwill Movement is represented by over 1000 organisations from all different sectors and across the UK who are supporting the #iwill Movement's vision.

SIGN THE CHARTER

OUR ORGANISATION SIGNATORIES

Organisations that have already pledged to support youth social action

Leading Social Action in the Community

Our organisation pledges have all shown commitment in a variety of ways and are doing something to help make participation in social action the norm for young people under 25.

IN EDUCATION

When a young person takes part in meaningful social action it can improve their grades, transform their character and grow their sense of well-being.

IN SOCIAL CARE

When a young person takes part in meaningful social action it can improve their grades, transform their character and grow their sense of well-being.

IN THE ENVIRONMENT

When a young person takes part in meaningful social action it can improve their grades, transform their character and grow their sense of well-being.

Leading Social Action in the Community

Our organisation pledges have all shown commitment in a variety of ways and are doing something to help make participation in social action the norm for young people under 25.

work with our Ambassadors

#iwill Ambassadors frequently attend conferences, roundtables and other events, both to represent the #iwill Movement and to share their unique perspectives informed by their social action journeys.

If you are requesting an Ambassador for an event you will be expected to cover travel costs. Please allow a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks prior to your opportunity, so we can review, share, onboard, and ensure a member of staff is available to support young people if needed.

THE POWER OF YOUTH CHARTER

Across the UK, #iwill Ambassadors are mentoring students at risk of expulsion, tackling bullying, coaching young footballers, working to combat mental health issues and battling single-use plastic. And much, much more.

Take a moment to appreciate their stories, which bring to life the win-win – for community and for individual – of youth social action. For these young people, social action is now a habit that will stay with them for life.

To feature an ambassador story in the press, please get in touch.

SUPPORT AND RESOURCES

In order to drive a long-term shift in the role and perception of young people in society, it is crucial that organisations make youth social action a key part of their culture and practice

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