The Manchester Evening News today launches a campaign to support the thousands of young people who desperately want to improve their communities.
According to research, 40 per cent of people aged between 10 and 20 across the UK are currently involved in activities that make a positive difference to the places where they live. But the figures show that almost double this number would take part in things like campaigning, fundraising and volunteering – if they were only given the chance.
The #iwill campaign wants to help change this sad and wasteful situation.
We want to help give young people the chance to not only improve the lives of others, but also gain great experience and priceless life skills for themselves at the same time.
Involvement in what’s sometimes called ‘social action’ is proven to significantly enhance a sense of community and willingness to volunteer in the future, as well as build skills increasingly valued by major UK employers.
Carolyn Fairbairn, Director General of the CBI (Confederation of British Industry), says: “There is little doubt that taking part in social action can help develop the kinds of 21st century skills that the businesses we represent are looking for in new recruits.”
Launching today, during National Volunteers’ Week (volunteersweek.org), our campaign will run until November with the aim of making Manchester an even better place to live.
We want 1000 people from Manchester to say ‘#iwill make a difference’ in that time.
Our aim is to make it easier for many more of our 10 to 20-year-olds to get involved in supporting some of our many local challenges, at the same time as building a better future for themselves.
And in the coming days, weeks and months – starting today – we will:
* Explain how young people can say #iwill
* Explain how businesses and organisations can say #iwill
* Tell the stories of young people who are ALREADY making a difference
* Tell the stories of young people who WANT to make a difference
* Ask readers to think about ways that YOU can get involved
Though less than half of 10 to 20-year-olds across Manchester are currently involved in activities that make a difference to the people and places around them, more than seven out of 10 said they would do something, if it was made easier for them.
Young people have identified a number of barriers to getting involved in things that make a difference, saying: “I don’t know how”, “I’d do it if my friends or family were involved” and “I’d do more if it was close by”.
Many of these hurdles can be easily overcome.
Over the coming months we’ll be asking readers of all ages to say #iwill and do all they can to enable young people to make a difference.
And there’s plenty that we can all do.
* Schools and colleges can look at ways of enabling students to consider how they might enhance the local community. Eight out 10 secondary school pupils recently surveyed said they want their school to do more to help them get involved.
* Employers can ask prospective employees about their involvement in volunteering and social action as they recruit, and also suggest staff volunteer their time in support of young people – for example by becoming a Scout or Girl Guide leader.
* Parents and guardians also have a crucial role to play and can encourage their children to look around their neighbourhood and think about what they might do.
And the options for young people are wide-ranging.
They might consider campaigning to keep a local library open, raise funds for victims of a natural disaster or volunteer to help the elderly at a local care home.
If the conditions are right, the possibilities are endless and our #iwill campaign is about creating a culture where all young people feel able to make a difference.
Prince Charles launched the #iwill campaign nationally in 2013, with support from across the political spectrum. Since then more than 550 leading organisations from across the UK have pledged their support in enabling young people to get involved in positive social action.
*Say #iwill – go to campaign.iwill.org.uk/manchester/
More information can be found at www.iwill.org.uk or by following @iwill_campaign on Twitter
The campaign is being co-ordinated by the charity Step Up To Serve.
