#iwill week – ‘Opportunities in youth social action are endless’

I am a disabled individual who is extremely passionate about improving disability equity within society, hence this being my main social action focus, writes 18-year-old #iwill ambassador Helen Cooper.

I started getting more involved in youth social action in about 2022, which is one of the best things I’ve ever done.

Throughout my life I’ve experienced countless amounts of adversity and ableism, from peers and adults alike, impacting periodically on my mental health.

I’ve been told I’m resilient despite my circumstances, but no matter how much of a compliment people have meant this, no disabled person should have to be resilient because of barriers they face, including myself.

Society’s attitudes towards disabled people need to change, to reflect the fact that anyone can become part of the minority group at any time.

Experiencing discrimination in mainstream education has made me passionate about establishing better disability inclusivity within these settings.

Enabling disabled students to flourish, with the support and understanding they need from teachers and students, would foster more positive experiences to cherish from childhood learning opportunities.

I don’t want the next generation of disabled young people having to live through similar pernicious attitudes that are detrimental to their wellbeing.

Embarking first on my social action journey, through being supported by a charity, has evolved myself a lot for the better.

I’ve found not only an outlet to create positive difference, but I’ve also gained so many incredible opportunities, which I wouldn’t have dreamt of if you asked me prior to starting my journey. I’ve spoken in Parliament, collaborated with a TV producer, joined a youth council and inclusion ambassadors, became a founding member of a neurodiversity rowing group and so much more!

The opportunities in youth social action are endless, which is something I relish, especially as I can relate it all to my interests.

Youth social action has seen me through several difficult chapters, even times when I have approached rock bottom. It’s provided me with something else to focus on that creates feelings of positivity, no matter if I have felt terrible or absolutely amazing earlier on.

Without participating in social action, undeniably I likely wouldn’t have found an alternative way to channel my lived experiences into constructive action. It’s enabled me to develop unwavering determination and build up my confidence once again alongside many other skills.

Through social action, I’ve found an amazing community full of ambitious young individuals who I’ve been able to connect with to share knowledge and insight with one another.

Undoubtedly, finding a passion to challenge perspectives, inaccessibility and advocate for true inclusion has become more than a hobby. I’ve found a career path which I hope to pursue around supporting disabled individuals.

Most importantly, youth social action makes me feel good – I look on optimistically about what may come next within my social action journey as part of a bigger movement within the disabled community and beyond.

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 8,000 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, including Hatch, a youth employability programme run in partnership with KFC. 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 & 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.