Scotland’s political leaders come together for #iwill to support young people

Monday 21 November 2016

The First Minister and Scotland’s opposition leaders have pledged their support for the #iwill youth volunteering campaign.

New research from Ipsos MORI as part of the launch of #iwill week2016 today shows 52% of Scotland’s 10-20 year olds are involved in social action, in comparison with 42% across the rest of the UK.

Launching #iwill week in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, First Minister of Scotland said:

“I am delighted to give my personal support to the #iwill campaign in Scotland. The campaign is a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate the positive difference that young people across Scotland are making every day in their communities. Every young person in Scotland should have access to those kinds of opportunities, wherever they live and whatever their background. I would encourage all organisations in the business, education and voluntary sectors in Scotland to pledge their support to the #iwill campaign.”

Scotland’s 6 #iwill youth ambassadors are encouraging everyone to make a promise, however small:

“We challenge you to make a pledge and to get involved in your community. What can you do to support young people to make a difference. We’ve made our #iwill pledges, what will yours be?”

Natasha Lawton,17, from East Dunbartonshire, told the party leaders of her experience as an #iwill ambassador: “I used to struggle at school because of my dyslexia, but since I’ve started volunteering my whole life has changed. First I started helping out my kayak coach at the Glasgow Kayak Club. I really wanted to paddle competitively that year but because of my shoulder injury I wasn’t able to. Instead my coach invited me to start coaching and now my self-confidence has shot up!”

#iwill in Scotland is an exciting, youth focused, campaign which is being supported by YouthLink Scotland in partnership with Young Scot and Education Scotland.

The #iwill campaign is a UK wide initiative which aims to bring together the wealth of youth volunteering, fundraising, campaigning, mentoring and other activity that young people are doing to benefit others, the environment and causes they believe in.

Ruth Davidson MSP, Scottish Conservative leader also offered her party’s support:

“It’s important that we do all we can to harness the talent and energy of our young people, and encouraging them to volunteer is a great way of doing this.Not only does it benefit their local communities, it can allow youngsters to develop skills that will go on to help them later in life.”

Labour in Scotland called on young people’s out of school activities, like volunteering, to be recognised alongside formal qualifications. The party’s leader Kezia Dugdale MSP said we all have a responsibility to help those who help others:

“Youth social action makes a positive difference to many people’s lives on a daily basis and it is important there should be no barriers to young people who want to volunteer. Those involved are gaining invaluable skills that will help them in their future.”

Patrick Harvie MSP, who leads the Scottish Greens said volunteering improved youth mental health:

“There is evidence linking involvement in social action with lower levels of anxiety and greater wellbeing among participants, it is vital that we ensure suitable opportunities exist for all, regardless of background or circumstances.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, Willie Rennie MSP, said his party would be encouraging as many people as possible to make a pledge.

“By bringing together partner organisations to support young people in their initiatives, we can support and inspire young people to achieve their full potential.”

So as #iwillWeek gets underway today (Monday 21st November) the campaign is urging organisations and young people to sign up and say #iwill.

Ends

For media enquiries, contact Sarah Paterson, YouthLink Scotland 07804 603762

For more information about the campaign visit iwill.org.uk

Group pictures show: Party leaders along with Ken McIntosh (Presiding Officer) and #iwill Scottish Ambassadors, Natasha Lawton, aged 17 from East Renfrewshire and Morgan Morris, aged 15 from Fife.

Notes to editors

The #iwill campaign in Scotland aims to build on the significant number of young people aged 10-20 already volunteering and encourage as many young people as possible to get involved, whatever their background, giving their time, effort and skills to make the change they want to see in their communities. It also recognises the role of older volunteers in creating the opportunities and support for youth volunteering.

Involvement - School and college leaders can look at ways of encouraging students to consider how they might enhance the local community – in fact 8 out 10 secondary school pupils recently surveyed said they want their school to do more to help them get involved. Employers can ask about involvement in volunteering and social action as they recruit and also suggest that their staff volunteer their time in support of young people, for example by becoming a Scout or Girlguide leader, or within a local youth work or community project. Parents and guardians also have a crucial role to play and can encourage their children to look around and think about what they might do.

And the options for young people themselves are wide-ranging – they might consider campaigning to keep a local library open, fundraise for victims of a natural disaster or volunteer to help the elderly at a local care home, or as a coach for local sporting activity. If the conditions are right, the possibilities are endless and the #iwill campaign is about creating a culture where all young people are able to make a difference to the causes and issues that they care about.

To date more than 600 organisations from business, education, the public and voluntary sectors have become #iwill partners. They’ve all made pledges to take action that will support the creation of opportunities for young people to lead positive change.

This week is #iwillWeek, when the contribution that young people can make will be celebrated all over the UK. Why not get involved yourself – there is a map of activity and some great resources to support you here [ or find us on twitter @iwill_campaign.