Ipswich will host a major celebration of youth social action today, Wednesday, 19 November, as part of #iWill Week 2025, with the Deputy Mayor Councillor Pat Bruce-Browne and other civic leaders attending an event at The Church from 2.00 pm to 4.30 pm.
The event, organised by Volunteering Matters and hosted by Brighten the Corners, marks the end of the Year of Youth Social Action project funded by Children in Need and will include a film screening and discussion with young changemakers. It will bring them together with community organisations, youth ambassadors and local leaders including Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich, and Councillor Neil MacDonald, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, for an afternoon to celebrate the #iWill Movement in Ipswich and to reflect on Ipswich’s role as a national leader in youth engagement.
#iWill Week is an annual celebration of the power of young people to shape their communities and society through social action including volunteering, advocacy, campaigning, fundraising and education. It spotlights the achievements of young people who have led initiatives under the national #iWill Movement
This year’s #iWill Week, from 17 to 21 November, is asking 'What do you stand for?' - inviting everyone to reflect on the values and causes that unite us, and championing daily themes of community, joy, dignity, justice, and truth.
Ipswich is proud to be the first Town of Youth Social Action in the UK, having signed the Power of Youth Charter and is committed to embedding youth voice in decision-making. The Borough Council is closely involved with events encouraging youth engagement and, earlier this year, was one of only six locations in the country to support a Hackathon involving nearly 200 young people to shape the Government’s emerging National Youth Strategy.
Councillor John Cook, Portfolio Holder for Communities & Sport, said:
"Ipswich Borough Council is committed to empowering young people, involving them more in the democratic process, and recognising their impact. We are committed to designing services with and around our residents, and young people are a key element in this. We must be prepared to listen to young people and allow them to participate and contribute to the designing of services – not only those such as sport and leisure, but also areas like the town centre and housing.
“Through initiatives like #iWill Week and our Power of Youth pledge, we are opening up decision-making and working collaboratively to ensure young voices shape the future of our town. This event is a celebration of their creativity, leadership, and the positive change they bring to our communities."
Councillor Pat Bruce-Browne added:
"Young people in Ipswich are showing us what real community leadership looks like. Their energy and ideas are inspiring, and it’s vital that we listen and act on what they tell us. #iWill Week is a reminder that when we give young people the platform to lead, they can achieve extraordinary things."
Ipswich Borough Council is proud to support the #iWill Movement and is committed to the principles of the Power of Youth Strategy which are:
- Prioritising young people to take youth social action
- Opening decision-making structures
- Working collaboratively with other decision-making organisations
- Evidencing the benefit of Youth Social Action
- Recognising and celebrating young people’s impact
The Ipswich Social Mobility Alliance (ISMA) is a grouping of organisations including Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk County Council, Schools, Suffolk One and Suffolk New College, the University of Suffolk and Health services working together proactively to support young people and assist them to speak out and provide their views.
It is among several organisations working with young people locally including, but not limited to, Volunteering Matters (WASSUP, Equip Mentoring, #Iwill movement), Inspire Suffolk, 4YP, Ipswich Community Media and Brighten the Corners.
The #iWill Movement is a UK-wide initiative launched in November 2013, aimed at increasing participation in social action among young people aged 10-25. It encourages youth to engage in activities such as volunteering, campaigning, and fundraising to make a positive impact in their communities and society at large. The movement comprises over 1,000 organisations and 700 young ambassadors, working together to empower youth social action.
For more information about #iWill Week and the Power of Youth Charter, visit www.iwill.org.uk