Seeing young people in action:
A travel journal from CEO Dr Rania Marandos
The Power of Youth Challenge has begun! We’re challenging organisations, decision makers and young people to get involved in a year-long set of activities that will enable organisations and individuals to champion youth voice, action and leadership and grow the #iwill movement across the UK.
The first of these activities is “See it” – the challenge to see youth social action in action. To give you a bit of inspiration and motivation to get involved, I will be sharing my personal journey as I travel around the UK, shining a light on the Power of Youth through visiting young people and their social action projects.
Taking the time to see the Power of Youth has allowed me to further understand what it means to be a young person today and I urge you all to do the same!
Find out about how you can arrange a “See it” visit by signing up to the Power Of Youth Challenge and receiving your copy of the Challenge guide.
First stop on my journey: WASSUP, Ipswich
To kick start my ‘See it’ challenge, I’m reflecting on my recent visit hosted by Volunteering Matters to see the work of #iwill Ambassador Lanai Collis-Phillips who is a full time volunteer there. We visited a project that is supported by Volunteering Matters, WASSUP (Women Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Speak Out).
WASSUP is a fantastic example of youth social action. It is delivered by 30 inspirational young women in Ipswich. Despite the gravity of the work they do, educating young people about grooming and abuse, they bring passion, energy and hope everywhere they go.
I left Ipswich feeling so inspired by the incredible work that Lanai and WASSUP do. It gave me a real sense of possibility and a determination to fight even harder for the much needed investment that is needed in our young people and communities.
With the Power Of Youth Challenge having just launched – I challenge you to go out and see the Power of Youth in action!
As part of an #iwillWeek Challenge, I had the chance to record an informal chat with Lanai, where she interviews me on what makes me so passionate about the #iwill Campaign and why must continue to grow the Power of Youth. Lanai also shares how she got involved in taking action on such a challenging issue. Have a listen below.
Fantastic visit from @rania_iwill to @volunteering_uk Ipswich at the start of #iwillweek meeting with Ambassador @CollisLanai and our Youth Social Action volunteers! pic.twitter.com/VwBTMCcgIS
— Stephen Skeet (@stephen_skeet) November 18, 2019
Thank you so much @rania_iwill we all really appreciate you visiting😁being such a successful woman and so passionate about young people it was very special for us to have the chance to show you our youth social action projects @volunteering_uk https://t.co/Kqg2nj2dNU pic.twitter.com/e3S3eOTYrk
— Lanai😁 (@CollisLanai) November 18, 2019
I am so lucky to have a job that means I get to spend time with incredible leaders like @CollisLanai - you are everything the @iwill_campaign embodies. Standing up for #PowerOfYouth & breaking down barriers for other young people #iwillWeek #ThisIsLeadership pic.twitter.com/VR7WI93qpH
— Dr Rania Marandos (@rania_iwill) November 19, 2019
Coming soon: Visiting #iwill Ambassador Sophia at Birmingham Women’s & Children’s Hospital
Thank you to @rania_iwill for visiting @Bham_Childrens today to see and hear firsthand the impacts of our Young Adult Volunteer Programme & our Think4Brum and YPAG youthboards. It was an absolute pleasure to have you, Rania! #PowerOfYouth @BWCYouthVoice @BWCHBoss @iwill_campaign pic.twitter.com/lwao5C9x2h
— Sophia Kaur Badhan (@SophiaKBadhan) February 6, 2020