Campaigns for Change
Advocating for better support, recognition, and conditions for youth volunteers across the UK.
Campaigns for Change
Advocating for better support, recognition, and conditions for youth volunteers across the UK.
Youth volunteers give their time, energy, and passion to support young people across the UK. They deserve systems that value, protect, and empower them in return.
IYVS runs campaigns to raise awareness of the challenges facing youth volunteers, advocate for policy improvements, and create meaningful change in how volunteers are supported and treated.
Our campaigns are informed by the lived experiences of volunteers themselves. We believe that those closest to the challenges are best placed to identify the solutions.
Current Campaigns
Veterans Badge Recognition
Encouraging Scouts and Guides organisations to allow youth volunteers who are former military personnel to display a recognised badge on their uniform to honour their service.
Learn more →Ongoing Service Areas
In addition to specific campaigns, IYVS provides ongoing support and advocacy in several key areas:
Supporting Scout Volunteers
Dedicated support for Scout volunteers across the UK, focusing on wellbeing, dispute resolution, and systemic improvements within Scouting organisations.
Learn more →Supporting Guide Volunteers
Dedicated support for Girlguiding volunteers across the UK, focusing on wellbeing, dispute resolution, and systemic improvements within Girlguiding.
Learn more →Our Campaign Principles
Volunteer-Led & Informed
Our campaigns are shaped by the experiences, needs, and voices of volunteers themselves. We don't speak for volunteers—we amplify their voices and create platforms for them to be heard.
Evidence-Based Advocacy
We ground our campaigns in research, data, and real-world evidence. By documenting the challenges volunteers face, we build compelling cases for change that decision-makers cannot ignore.
Collaborative & Constructive
We seek to work constructively with organisations, policymakers, and communities. Our goal is not to assign blame, but to co-create better systems that benefit volunteers and the young people they support.
Independent & Impartial
We maintain our independence from the organisations we campaign about. This ensures we can speak truthfully about systemic issues and advocate fearlessly for volunteers' wellbeing and rights.
Long-Term Systems Change
We're committed to sustainable, long-term improvements rather than quick fixes. Real change takes time, persistence, and a willingness to address root causes rather than symptoms.
How We Campaign
Research & Evidence Gathering
We listen to volunteers' experiences, conduct surveys, analyse policies, and document systemic issues. This evidence forms the foundation of our advocacy work.
Awareness Raising
We share volunteers' stories, publish reports, and use our platforms to raise awareness of the challenges facing youth volunteers. Public awareness is a powerful tool for change.
Policy Advocacy
We engage with organisations, sector leaders, and policymakers to advocate for specific policy changes that will improve conditions for volunteers.
Community Organising
We bring volunteers together to share experiences, build solidarity, and collectively advocate for change. There is strength in numbers and power in community.
Direct Support & Services
While we campaign for systemic change, we also provide direct support to volunteers through mediation, guidance, and wellbeing resources. We meet immediate needs while working toward long-term solutions.
Get Involved
Our campaigns are stronger when more voices join them. Whether you're a volunteer with a story to share, someone who wants to support our work, or an organisation interested in partnering with us, we'd love to hear from you.
Want to learn more about IYVS?
Explore our mission and discover ways to support youth volunteers across the UK.
Visit Our Mission