The power of Youth Social Action: Enhancing academic and personal growth

Youth social action refers to activities that you can undertake to make a positive difference to others and the environment around you, this includes within education, social care and the environment. Young people can undertake these opportunities both within and outside of their schools, not only will they develop confidence and improve wellbeing and mental resilience, but they also set up a pathway for their future, making them standout against other candidates.

Not only will your child benefit, but organisations will gain their ideas and capacity to incite positive change and ensuring their point of view can profit multiple generations, therefore communities benefit, improving social cohesion and involvement.

Youth who are involved with youth social action projects often develop a new point of view and motivation in their academic pursuits, as they have gained confidence in themselves and their aims. By being involved in these projects they experience real-life situation and can implement their studies making them both more interesting and relevant. Students now have access to an ever-increasing range of subjects, resources and dreams; by involving them in youth social action projects and allowing them to utilise these resources around them it gives them a sense of freedom and confidence that they can reach that aim and push themselves even further, especially with involvement within school promoting student mental health and wellbeing for example.

Throughout the world there has been a push for strengthening students ‘career readiness’ and the idea that everything they do should somehow benefit their CV or their future job prospects. Yes youth social action does this but it also develops that young person’s mindset and motivation, not just thinking about their career but thinking about the life that they want to live. Youth social action not only benefits them in the present but also in the future. It demonstrates initiative, commitment and a willingness to go beyond the minimum requirements that are asked of them. A young person’s involvement with youth social action not only provides them that step into real-world opportunities but allows them to flourish in them too, creating a well-rounded student and individual who is willing to work to achieve in all aspects. It allows young people to learn how to represent a body of people and work to achieve change through volunteering, fundraising and campaigning, whether that be within the school environment or in the workplace.

Through youth social action young people are given a platform to express themselves and their individuality, allowing them to connect with others and share their passions and ideas, benefitting all around them. Not only does this allow young people to share with others but it provides them with a support network, and a group of people willing to aid and support them throughout their upcoming career and prospects. A supportive community and a sense of purpose can enhance mental health, leading to better concentration, attendance and performance in school.

Youth social action instils a sense of responsibility and purpose, which will drive that young person to reach and achieve their dreams whether that be academically or outside of school in the wider community. Opportunities within youth social action allow the young person to understand social issues such as period poverty projects within schools, or raising money for international issues, such as the war taking place in Ukraine, making these young people more active citizens. This civic mindedness can influence their academic interests, such as pursuing studies in social sciences, or international relations, further enhancing their educational journey.

Youth social action is a powerful catalyst for improving a young person’s performance both within and out of the school environment. Opportunities allow young people to develop essential life skills, boosting academic motivation and achievement. Youth social action prepares young people for a successful future where they will not only benefit individually, but the wider community and society does too.

Mollie Speed, Ormiston Trust Young Advisor & Intern