Reflections on #iwillWeek23, by #iwill Ambassador Troy

#iwill Ambassador Troy from Wakefield shares insights into his involvement in #iwillWeek23, from hosting online sessions to attending our celebration at the House of Commons. In his debut year as an ambassador, Troy found the week to be a powerful convergence of voices, stories, and shared dedication to making a positive impact in communities.

#Iwillweek23 was an empowering and special moment as it was my first one, as I joined the Movement this year 2023. For us #iwill Ambassadors to come together and connect with each other, sharing our social action journeys and lived experiences, and inspiring other young people to make a big change in their communities was incredible. We started the week with the film premiere of ‘The Next Big Thing?’ – I was so honoured as I was part of the filming process, directed and produced by another #iwill ambassador Claire Madzura, as I felt being part of the film so inspiring, being able to speak about my social action journey and listen to other young people talk too. Also, I got to present the event which was an amazing opportunity and to work my fellow #iwill ambassadors and have discussions and even have audience questions felt so powerful that they were listening to us and got involved.

I was part of #iwillweek23 social media takeovers which was a huge privilege, having space to tell my story and for people to tell you are an inspiration and you make a big difference really was spectacular. My hopes for the future is to continue having a voice and inspiring young people to be who they want to be and don’t afraid to speak about the issues that matter to them like education, cost of living crisis, mental health, and others. I hope young people are the heart and soul in decision making as professionals need to know our lived experiences as Government also needs to speak to us young people on the issues we face. We need to feel included and feel more heard. We have a passion and a drive and our social action journey starts today, tomorrow and every day.

I also joined other events throughout the week like the 20 slides, 20 slides seconds, which was so beautiful and made you appreciate having a voice and listening to the other #iwill ambassadors, who are you friends for life, speaking about their experiences. Listening to them makes you more determined to go out in the world and make that change and have professionals listen to you on what you have to say. As us young people voices matter and it so important, we take action.

Also being involved with the 10 year anniversary of #iwill Movement at London House Of Commons was such a huge honour, celebrating the big achievement and being proud of being a #iwill ambassador and making history of change. As I never thought by me having a voice and inspiring others can lead me to feel important have a purpose and tell my story. Feeling different as I have a learning disability and autism, you see the world different to others, but #iwill includes you and you fit in as a disability never defines you, you have the space to speak up. #iwill encourages you to be the changemaker you want to become. Seeing other #iwill ambassadors and connecting with them and champions makes you realise that you’re not alone and that there are so many young people out there being activists like you, being the role models like you and believing in yourself that your voice matters and counts as you are being listened to. Speaking with organisations and adults telling them what needs to change for the next decade of youth social action and starting the change now and working together to stand out and tell our story, that we were born to fit in as young people to have a voice and be empowered and heard.