11 February, 2022
Ormiston Academies Trust has embarked on a mission to bring social action to over 10,000 pupils across England in primary, secondary, special and alternative provision schools. Pupils choose from one of eight innovative projects based on what they want to see change in for their community; health, recycling, the arts, safety, eco-sustainability – nothing is off limits as we empower our young people to make a difference to their communities and embark on what we see as a lifelong journey into active citizenship. Supported by a central team of curriculum experts and partnering with external organisations who bring additional depth of expert knowledge and passion, #WeWill will bring the change our young people want to see in the world.
This is a really exciting time for OAT’s social action efforts and will impact on even more young people, growing out from the #iwill campaign. Projects are currently in planning stages and academies are setting dates for when they launch, with a flurry starting after February half term. Our young people will be involved in every layer of their projects, from helping make vital decisions with SLT and OAT’s head office, running events and taking part in physical activities, such as geocaching, performing and caring for the elderly in the community.
This campaign will also see other parts of the Ormiston network come together striving for the same goal. Ormiston Families a charity in the East of England, Birmingham Ormiston Academy (BOA) who specialise in digital, creative and performing arts, along with Gateway Learning Community Trust in Essex. All these outlets will be developing and growing their own #WeWill projects… putting the name ‘Ormiston’ at the forefront of youth social action in the UK.
From studies and evidence, the #iwill campaign said:
“Taking part in youth social action supports young people to develop their character and confidence. They experience higher levels of wellbeing that can help improve their mental resilience.”
James Murray, chief executive officer at Ormiston Trust said:
“Social action is at the heart of everything we do as a Trust, and we are thrilled to see this enter an ambitious new phase with the launch of #WeWill. From the incredible day-to-day community work which OAT thrives on, through to the community arts brilliance of the student teams at BOA and the inspiring community action programmes being starting up by both OF and GLC, I am confident they will all have a positive impact on many regions across the country. In addition young people will gain that extra vital experience of the world around them and new key skills to use throughout their lives.
“We would like to thank The National Lottery Community Fund and DCMS for their continued support through the #iwill Fund, and for partnering with us to bring #WeWill to life. Finally, we would also like to thank the dedicated staff within our partner organisations who go above and beyond in support of the young people we serve. Thank You”
The #iwill Fund is made possible thanks to £54 million joint investment from The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to support young people in accessing high quality social action opportunities. Ormiston Trust is acting as a match funder and awarding grants on behalf of the #iwill Fund.
Helen Whyman, head of the #iwill Fund said:
“The work of the #iwill Fund has had an incredible impact on young people across England, supporting them and their communities to prosper and thrive.
“We’re pleased to be able to further support Ormiston Trust in their vital work, which places young people at the centre of everything they do and empowers them to deliver meaningful social action across their networks and within their communities. “Across the globe young people are coming forward more and more, to use their voices when addressing current important issues. This campaign will further enable young people across the Ormiston family and UK, in making sustainable positive changes, while witnessing first-hand the valuable benefits their actions will make across all their communities.”
We look forward, yet again to seeing the lasting positive impacts this will make on our young people, academies and communities… because #WeWill!
Category: News
Tags: #iwill, #WeWill, Social action
