Interested in youth social action?

#iwill is a UK-wide campaign that aims to make social action part of life for as many 10 to 20 year-olds as possible by the year 2020. Through collaboration and partnership it is spreading the word about the benefits of youth social action, working to embed it in the journey of young people and create fresh opportunities for participation.

To us, social action means ‘practical action in the service of others that creates positive change‘. This benefit is to the young people themselves and the communities in which they live.

Our Vision is that every young person in the UK is taking part in this kind of ‘quality’ social action and we’ll achieve this by inspiring leaders from across society to create fresh opportunities for 10-20 year-olds to take part. If we are successful more than 1 million young people will get the chance to engage in social action for the first time. 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.

If you are a young person interested in social action you can get involved through your school or where you work, set up your own project or find out about one of the many excellent programmes that already exist around the UK. Below are a few organisations who provide funding or social action programmes for a range of ages across the UK. You can also look at Youth Link Scotland.

British Youth Council is a youth-led charity, we empower young people aged 25 and under to influence and inform the decisions that affect their lives. We support young people to get involved in their communities and democracy locally, nationally and internationally, making a difference as volunteers, campaigners, decision-makers and leaders.

City Year recruits 18-to-25-year-olds for 11 months of full-time volunteering as near-peer role models, mentors and tutors in schools in deprived areas. This simple act of ‘giving back’ through a volunteer service year has a triple impact.

CSV – the UK volunteering and learning charity whoenables people of all ages and backgrounds to reap the benefits of putting something back.

Do-It is a database of volunteering opportunities across the UK.

Free The Children works with primary and secondary schools and academies, as well as notable youth organisations to deliver their free active citizenship programming.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) gives all young people aged 14-24 the chance to develop skills for life and work, fulfil their potential and have a brighter future.

Envision supports 16-19 year olds through their social action programmes.

Girlguiding provides girls and young women a space where they can be themselves, have fun, build brilliant friendships, gain valuable life skills and make a positive difference to their lives and their communities across the UK.

Join In helps UK grassroots sports clubs attract more supporters and volunteers from their local communities. Opportunities available for eighteen and over.

National Trust has a number of family volunteer opportunities across the country.

National Volunteer Police Cadets provides opportunities for young people to volunteer their time supporting their local communities and Police Services and increase the funding, resources and opportunities. Opportunities for 10-13, 13-18 and over 18 years old.

O2 Think Big backs social action ideas by providing funding to 13 to 25 year olds.

Plotr is a one-stop shop for career inspiration, preparation and guidance.

Prince’s Trust helps young people from age 13 years to change their lives through free courses, grants, programmes and enterprise.

Scout Association offers 6- to 25-year-olds fun and challenging activities, unique experiences, everyday adventure and the chance to help others so that we make a positive impact in communities.

Student Hubs aims for every student to engage with social and environmental challenges during their time at university, empowering them to become active citizens for life.

The Challenge run youth and community programmes that have the central aim of mixing diverse groups of people with each other.

Uprising offers a range of leadership and employability programmes for 16-25 year olds.

UK Fixers are young people aged 16 to 25 years old using their past to fix the future. They are motivated by personal experience to make positive change for themselves and those around them.

UK Youth reaches 693,000 young people every year through the largest network of youth clubs and projects covering the 10 to 20 year age group.

vInspired connects young people with volunteering opportunities.

Youthnet believes they have the collective responsibility to empower young people with the support, knowledge and skills they need to lead fulfilling lives. Volunteer opportunities aimed at 16-25 year olds.

Youth United aims to increase the number of young people engaged in their communities. Their network consists of: The Scout Association; Girlguiding; St John Ambulance; the Army Cadet Force; the Sea Cadets; the Fire Cadets; the Boys’ Brigade; the Girls’ Brigade; the Volunteer Police Cadets and the RAF Air Cadets.

For links to any or all of these organsitions visit the #iwill page.

Further Information and Contact Details

Street Address: Step up to Serve Head Office, 202 Lambeth Road, London, SE1 7JW