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#iwill Week is our annual celebration of the incredible work young people are doing across the UK to improve their lives and communities through social action. Each year, #iwill Ambassadors come together to shape the themes and events of the week, focusing on the issues that affect them as young people and that they are passionate about addressing. This year, #iwill week will run from 18 to 22 November 2024.

This year, #iwill Ambassadors will reflect on the varied experiences of young people across the UK, while leading discussions on their right to participate in shaping our democracy. The #iwill Movement represents young people from all backgrounds, whose lives and contributions have been shaped in different ways by the events of 2024. From those who are empowered by their right to vote, to those who express their voice through grassroots action, all are united by a shared commitment to positive change.

#StillWeRise is about the determination and collective strength of young people across the UK, each rising in their own way to create a better future for everyone. This theme is about recognising the struggles many young people have faced, whilst also being an opportunity to celebrate the resilience, resolve, compassion and commitment of young people as they continue to make an impact in their communities, facing challenges through social action. What unites us and strengthens our community of changemakers is our shared drive to make a difference. Despite everything, #StillWeRise.

Throughout the week, #iwill Ambassadors and Champions, Power of Youth Charter signatories and partners, as well as young people and organisations across the UK, are invited to engage with the daily sub-themes that make up our overarching theme for the week:

#StillWeRise: Finding the balance - Navigating trauma, unrest and division, especially in the context of social media.

#StillWeRise: In Community – The role of youth social action in combatting community tension.

#StillWeRise: It Takes us All - Creating the conditions for young people to rise.

#StillWeRise: Against the Odds - The experiences and struggles of influencing change.

#StillWeRise: Defying Stereotypes – Confronting public perceptions of young people.

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Survey results that we have tried to encompass in our catchy straplines

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#iwill Week - Co-Design Initial Survey_question_1

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Survey results that we tried to encompass in our catchy straplines

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#iwill Week - Co-Design Initial Survey_question_2

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When we looked at the themes and topics chosen by Ambassadors for #iwill Week, we thought of this poem by the great Maya Angelou. Whilst the poem in centred around the racism directed at her as a black woman, it has gone on to become a hymn for all those facing discrimination and adversity, united in a hopeful determination to rise above difficulty and discouragement.

Whilst the week won't be focussed entirely on this work, perhaps the poem could inspire some creative written content around the themes of the week.

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Politics & Poetry is an event produced by #iwill Ambassador Pelumi, and will invite young people to come along and perform a poem or piece of spoken word that they have created on the topic of democracy. Due to timings, there will be limited space for speakers, but those who don't secure a speaking spot are invited to come along and either help to facilitate the event or simply be there to join the conversations.

This will be an in-person event held in Manchester. Ambassador travel will be covered by UK Youth.

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MLMS X #iwill Movement: A collab that will invite #iwill Ambassadors and MLMS Squad members to attend a digital learning session with a prominent activist, exploring the topics of division and safety on social media.

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This is a piece previously published by an #iwill Ambassador for Power Of Youth Day. We can't guarantee any media, but we can certainly try! Would you like to pitch something?

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My niece came home from nursery once in tears, asking ‘why is Black bad?’

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Damaging patterns of institutional racism repeat themselves in the lives of many children, taking hold in school, and recurring in later education and the world of work

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Use the comments to share any content ideas you have :)

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Use the comments to share any event ideas you have :)

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As part of #iwill Week, we're putting together a collaborative poem that reflects your personal experiences with the themes we've chosen for this year's campaign. This poem will be a powerful way to express how we've all faced and overcome challenges in 2024, and how we're continuing to rise above them.

Here's how you can get involved:

1. Write a Stanza: Think about one of the themes of #iwill Week that resonates most with you—whether it's resilience, community, empowerment, overcoming barriers, or defying stereotypes. Write a short stanza (around 4 lines) that expresses your thoughts, feelings, or experiences related to that theme. Please submit your stanza via the Google form linked above.

2. Submit a Voice Note: Once you’ve written your stanza, record yourself reading it as a voice note. This will help bring the poem to life with your own voice and personal touch. Please send your voice note to Cate on +44 7375 255370, ensuring that the audio is as clear as possible (try to record away from any background noise!)

3. Eva, a fellow #iwill Ambassadors, will be animating the poem, so your voice and words will become part of a collective, creative piece that represents all of us.

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As part of #iwill Week, we’re putting together a collaborative poem that reflects your personal experiences with the themes we’ve chosen for this year’s campaign. This poem will be a powerful way to express how we’ve all faced and overcome challenges in 2024, and how we’re continuing to rise above them.
Here’s how you can get involved:
Write a Stanza: Think about one of the themes of #iwill Week that resonates most with you—whether it’s resilience, community, empowerment, overcoming barriers, or defying stereotypes. Write a short stanza (around 4 lines) that expresses your thoughts, feelings, or experiences related to that theme. Please submit your stanza via this form.
Submit a Voice Note: Once you’ve written your stanza, record yourself reading it as a voice note. This will help bring the poem to life with your own voice and personal touch. Please send your voice note to Cate on +44 7375 255370, ensuring that the audio is as clear as possible (try to record away from any background noise!)
Eva, a fellow #iwill Ambassadors, will be animating the poem, so your voice and words will become part of a collective, creative piece that represents all of us. Example, to spark your creativity ✍️
In a world divided, I stand with grace,
Facing storms that try to erase,
But through the noise, I hear the call,
Together we rise, refusing to fall. Beyond the politics, beyond the rage,
We find our strength on this very stage,
Voices young but strong and clear,
Empowered by hope, we persevere. Told we’re too young to make a change,
Yet here we are, beyond their range,
Breaking barriers, standing tall,
In unity, we’ll break them all. I can’t cast a vote, my voice denied,
But still, I stand, with others side by side,
In youth forums, my words take flight,
On my council, I fight for what’s right. Politics feels like a foreign tongue,
But that doesn’t mean I’m not among
The changemakers, as I lead the way,
With a girls’ league, where we all can play. If you need any help with this, please contact Cate on +44 7375 255370 or at cate.green@volunteeringmatters.org.uk!