Understanding youth social action

Youth social action refers to activities that young people do to make a positive difference to others or the environment. There are lots of ways in which young people can take practical action to make a positive difference.

It can take place in a range of contexts and can mean formal or informal activities. These include volunteering, fundraising, campaigning and supporting peers.

Teachers, employers, parents and other members of the community can all support youth social action.

What activities count as youth social action?

High quality youth social action is:

Reflective

Recognising contributions as well as valuing critical reflection and learning

Challenging

Stretching and ambitious as well as enjoyable and enabling

Youth led

Led, owned and shaped by young people's needs, ideas and decision making

Socially impactful

Have a clear intended benefit to a community, cause or social problem

Progressive

Sustained, and providing links to other activities and opportunities

Embedded

Accessible to all, and well integrated into existing pathways to become a habit for life

High quality youth social action meets the six principles outlined above.

The examples and case studies available in this toolkit, as well as those on the #iwill website, contain lots of examples of youth social action projects.

Activities might include:

Volunteering
Campaigning
Tutoring and mentoring
Fundraising
Other activities or projects through which young people come together to solve an issue or improve something in their community

See the examples

See the case studies

How youth social action benefits young people

How youth social action benefits Careers Leaders

The Power of the Volunteer

My social action has really built my confidence, especially in public speaking, and I will continue to take action and to inspire others to do the same.

Amy Meek, age 15

I believe youth social action will lead to real change

Alvin Owusu-Fordwuo, age 18