The iwill team

iwill is designed for young people by young people. By listening to the ideas and opinions of young people across Essex iwill has aimed to improve the perception of volunteering. Working with a focus group the young people have developed video material, captured photos and assisted in the creating of the brand, website and other promotional material which accurately portray young people who have benefited significantly from their community involvement in Essex. 

Why we did it

Many young people's impression of volunteering is of  working and not getting paid. Whilst to a degree this is true, volunteers benefit significantly in other ways. To tackle this perception iwill was created working in partnership with young people and other volunteering groups. iwill is a new local government initiative designed to raise awareness and promote volunteering in Essex. Part of the overall strategy was to build a website as a platform specifically to highlight the benefits that young people in Essex have experienced through volunteering in their community. iwill brings together information, testimonials, opportunities and other volunteering partners in order to help young people choose to want to get involved in volunteering in Essex.

How we did it

View more photos of the "Making of iwill" by at the photo gallery.

Project aims

• To raise awareness and promote volunteering in Essex, using relevant media.
• To create a website that provides a platform to signpost and promotes young people’s involvement in volunteering around Essex.
• To listen to the idea’s and opinions of a range of young people around improving the image of volunteering.
• To work with young people to develop marketing material that promotes a positive image of volunteering.
• To teach young people new skills such as video, website management and photography to capture young volunteers involvement in Essex.

Project outcomes

• Essex County Council have a better understanding of young peoples attitude towards volunteering.
• A volunteering focus group of young people leading in change has been established.
• Positive experiences of young people volunteering throughout Essex have been captured.
• A brand and consistent marketing material have been created including a website, posters and flyers.
• The young people who participated had the opportunity to work towards accreditation in:
  
  • Publicity and Marketing Open College Network certificate.
  • Access skill / volunteering certificate Duke of Edinburgh's Award
  • V'inspired certificates.

The result

Working with young people to shape and create a new identity for volunteering in Essex has helped Essex County Council to better understand young peoples attitudes towards volunteering. The iwill website and promotional marketing has captured positive experiences of young people's community involvement throughout Essex and provided a platform to promote and signpost more young people into volunteering opportunities across Essex. The young people involved in the iwill focus group have received accreditation in a range of areas such as the Open College Network Publicity and Marketing and Access Skill certificate, Duke of Edinburgh's Award and V'inspired certificates.