#iwill week – ‘It’s a really cool organisation to be part of’

For 18-year-old Monya Ahmed, becoming an #iwill ambassador was a chance to become part of a community and to be recognised as someone with value and a voice to be heard.

Growing up in a Sudanese family in North Antrim, Northern Ireland, she admits she struggled with feelings of isolation – not helped by living through the Covid pandemic aged 13-14, “an age where you develop social skills” – until volunteering gave her “a reason to get up in the morning”.

Her social action started as a volunteer interpreter for asylum-seekers, thanks to being a fluent Arabic speaker.

“Just doing something like that and knowing you’re helping other people is so rewarding,” said Monya. “I realised this is something I love.

“Also, as someone who struggled with low self-esteem, it gave me a reason to get out of the bed in the morning – you know you’re helping people, you’re doing something.

“I wanted to chase that feeling. My mum would volunteer in charity shops, so I began joining her after school and I really liked that.

“I got into more social activism and would volunteer with Northern Ireland Muslim Scouts, then I went onto #iwill after I found about it. I thought that is a really cool organisation to be a part of. You can tell everyone so passionate and they are genuinely making a difference. I saw a lot of peers involved and thought I would give it a shot and apply.

“And I’m so glad I did, because not only did it connect me with so many other like-minded people, but it was just so cool.

“#iwill gives you a voice, it gives you a platform to make the change you want.

“It gives you the most incredible opportunities I don’t think I would have been given otherwise, such as being connected so many like-minded young people, people determined to make change in the world and proud of it. They’re an inspiration. It makes me want to continue when I’m feeling like my work is getting me nowhere and no-one’s listening to me.

“I love that #iwill connected me to more people, some of whom are now my closest friends.”

Monya, who is currently studying for A-levels in biology, history, and health and social care, has embraced her time as an ambassador, championing the causes close to her heart, including volunteering, mental health access and representation.

She said: “Being an ambassador has given me so much more confidence. Before I was scared to speak out, to share my opinions, thinking, ‘oh, maybe I look stupid’, or, ‘I’m not qualified, what am I doing here, I don’t deserve to be here’, suffering imposter syndrome, but also thinking ‘I’m not going to make a change’.

“But through being involved with #iwill and social activism has given me a lot of confidence in myself and it has motivated me to do things, because I am making a difference.

“It’s realising the fact that what I say is important and I’m speaking for other people. I’m so grateful for the position that it’s given me.

“For example, with #iwill in Northern Ireland and Volunteer Now, we have joined the Northern Irish Youth Advisory. We’re working on a document to make volunteering more accessible for young people and I’m so glad to be a part of that because I know, especially coming from a more rural area, there were so many barriers.

“A lot of people. I’m sure, want to help out, but don’t know how to get started. Maybe they’ve no way of getting there, no money for transport, or maybe there isn’t any transport. Maybe you don’t know people, you don’t know how to get started. It’s just breaking down the barriers, or even just letting people know the opportunities are out there.

“Everyday #iwill Ambassadors and other young people still striving to make that difference.

“I know a lot of the times people say we are the future we need to be taken seriously and I 100 per cent agree, but at the same time, we’re not just the future, we are the change-makers of today as well.”

READ MORE: #iwill week – ‘We do have the power to make the change’

UK Youth is a leading charity with a vision that all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. With an open network of more than 9,000 youth organisations and nation partners; UK Youth reaches more than four million young people across the UK and is focused on unlocking youth work as the catalyst of change that is needed now more than ever. To find out more, visit ukyouth.org

UK Youth is involved in a range of programmes designed to help young people thrive, such as outdoor learning, physical literacy, social action and employability. For more on UK Youth’s programmes, see ukyouth.org/what-we-do/programmes

#iwill is a movement comprised of more than 1,000 organisations and 700 young #iwill ambassadors and champions from across the UK. They are united by a shared belief that all children and young people should be supported and empowered to make a positive difference on the issues that affect their lives, their communities, and broader society.

#iwill is empowering, challenging, independent, collaborative and inclusive – it belongs to everybody.

The #iwill movement is powered by young people and organisations. The #iwill Ambassadors and #iwill Champions, alongside organisations who sign up to the Power of Youth Charter, help ensure meaningful action is taken to support more children and young people to be active citizens.

The #iwill Partnership is made up of leaders of collective action groups working within and across sectors and nations of the UK to guide the #iwill movement. The independent #iwill Coordination Hub, hosted by Volunteering Matters and UK Youth supports the #iwill Partnership, #iwill Ambassadors and broader #iwill movement.