#iwillWeek 2018

#iwillWeek 2018 12th-16th November Voice | Impact | Story We want campaign partners to empower the young people participating in youth social action to share their stories of volunteering, fundraising or campaigning and share with us the impact they have had on others and their communities. 12-16 November 2018 Their voice. Their impact. Their story. Using #iwillWeek as the impetus to empower your young people to share their stories of volunteering, fundraising or campaigning and the impact they have had on their communities #iwillWeek serves as a focal point for anyone and any organisation to communicate the benefits of youth social action and this year it is 12-18 November 2018. This November the call to action for #iwill campaign partners is to empower, share and celebrate the stories young people can tell of their impact on the communities and causes they care about. When we ask young people what motivates them to get involved in social action, they often begin with ‘making a positive difference in my community...’. Hearing directly from them, whether it is a short blog, social media posts or a film shot on their smartphone, is the most compelling story of power and potential of youth social action. Our ambition for this year’s #iwillWeek We hope that #iwillWeek2018 can provide the space and forum for young people to tell their story of their experience of youth social action - particularly, though not exclusively, focusing on their perspective of the impact they are having on their community. This could either be the wider community impact of collective youth social action or specifically by an individual young person. We, as campaign partners, should elevate and share their stories so that everybody has the opportunity to hear what we know is so inspiring about youth social action at its best. Ultimately, we know that when young people take part in social action, everyone benefits. We want young people to have the chance to take part in meaningful social action - building a habit for life. Whether behind the camera or the keyboard, we hope you can help us get as many young people who have embarked on their own social action journeys to reflect and be empowered to take the lead in telling their story.

#iwillWeek 2018 This November the call to action for #iwill campaign partners is to empower, share and celebrate the stories young people can tell of their impact on the communities and causes they care about. When we ask young people what motivates them to get involved in social action, they often begin with ‘making a positive difference in my community...’. We want to shine a spotlight on young people, hearing from them, on the difference they’re making through their social action. 12-16 November 2018 Their voice. Their impact. Their story. Using #iwillWeek as the impetus to empower your young people to share their stories of volunteering, fundraising or campaigning and the impact they have had on their communities #iwillWeek serves as a focal point for anyone and any organisation to communicate the benefits of youth social action and this year it is 12-18 November 2018. This November the call to action for #iwill campaign partners is to empower, share and celebrate the stories young people can tell of their impact on the communities and causes they care about. When we ask young people what motivates them to get involved in social action, they often begin with ‘making a positive difference in my community...’. Hearing directly from them, whether it is a short blog, social media posts or a film shot on their smartphone, is the most compelling story of power and potential of youth social action. Our ambition for this year’s #iwillWeek We hope that #iwillWeek2018 can provide the space and forum for young people to tell their story of their experience of youth social action - particularly, though not exclusively, focusing on their perspective of the impact they are having on their community. This could either be the wider community impact of collective youth social action or specifically by an individual young person. We, as campaign partners, should elevate and share their stories so that everybody has the opportunity to hear what we know is so inspiring about youth social action at its best. Ultimately, we know that when young people take part in social action, everyone benefits. We want young people to have the chance to take part in meaningful social action - building a habit for life. Whether behind the camera or the keyboard, we hope you can help us get as many young people who have embarked on their own social action journeys to reflect and be empowered to take the lead in telling their story.

How you can support Enable a young person to author a piece of content - e.g. a news story with local media interest, a website post, a blog or a letter to a local MP or community leader. Empower young people to create a film - short or long - talking about the positive impact they have had on their communities. Host an event and invite young people to lead the event as well as share their stories can really elevate the impact of youth social action. What participation in #iwillWeek2018 looks like Young people can be invited to author a piece of content, ideally articulating their own impact or the impact of youth social action on the community. This could be a news story with local media interest, a website post, a blog or even a letter to a local MP or community leader. Create a film - short or long - with young people talking about the positive impact they have had on their communities. They could also be invited shoot, storyboard or even direct the films. Armed with smartphones this could be a relatively swift way to get multiple perspectives and could enhance written content - new or old. Hosting an event may also be a choice you make. Inviting young people to lead the event as well as share their stories can really elevate the impact of youth social action. Perhaps it also makes sense to invite the wider community, your local MP or other community leaders to learn about the role young people have taken on through their volunteering, fundraising or campaigning.

More resources online #iwillWeek 2018 web page has host of resources: Overview this year’s theme Key messages FAQs Logos Template letter to an MP Registration for a regular webinar to learn more What we can do to support you We will provide further resources on the #iwillWeekpage of the #iwill website. In October we will offer fortnightly half-hour webinars that will cover ideas, resources and what other #iwill campaign partners have planned. And if you're part of the communications team of an #iwill campaign partner, Step Up To Serve and the #iwill campaign are hosting an event featuring Josie Verghese, an assistant editor at BBC News responsible for sourcing, sharing, facilitating and amplifying more original journalism and authentic young people’s stories across BBC programmes and platforms. The event is on Thursday 27 September from 9-11am in central London; to register your interest or find out more email:comms@stepuptoserve.org.uk

Regular webinars We’ll also be hosting weekly webinars for you to find out more about #iwillWeek. The goal is to provide an overview but also allow those convened to share ideas of what they have planned. Visit Eventbrite to register. What we can do to support you We will provide further resources on the #iwillWeekpage of the #iwill website. In October we will offer fortnightly half-hour webinars that will cover ideas, resources and what other #iwill campaign partners have planned. And if you're part of the communications team of an #iwill campaign partner, Step Up To Serve and the #iwill campaign are hosting an event featuring Josie Verghese, an assistant editor at BBC News responsible for sourcing, sharing, facilitating and amplifying more original journalism and authentic young people’s stories across BBC programmes and platforms. The event is on Thursday 27 September from 9-11am in central London; to register your interest or find out more email:comms@stepuptoserve.org.uk

Tell us what you’re doing We want to share your stories and your content to make sure that everyone who is part of the #iwill campaign knows what you’re doing. Make sure you share your plans with us so we can plan to amplify what you share: Tag @iwill_campaign in your social media posts Hashtag #iwillweek in your social media posts Email SUTS at comms@stepuptoserve.org.uk and fwalls@wcva.org.uk at WCVA What we can do to support you We will provide further resources on the #iwillWeekpage of the #iwill website. In October we will offer fortnightly half-hour webinars that will cover ideas, resources and what other #iwill campaign partners have planned. And if you're part of the communications team of an #iwill campaign partner, Step Up To Serve and the #iwill campaign are hosting an event featuring Josie Verghese, an assistant editor at BBC News responsible for sourcing, sharing, facilitating and amplifying more original journalism and authentic young people’s stories across BBC programmes and platforms. The event is on Thursday 27 September from 9-11am in central London; to register your interest or find out more email:comms@stepuptoserve.org.uk