#iwill Fund Learning Hub: What Does Youth Social Action Do?

Introduction

A summative report that identified the different types of benefits of Youth Social Action including outcomes most reported for young people.

Findings

The research found that youth social action creates positive changes for both young people and their communities. These benefits are linked, with improvements for young people often supporting wider community change. The research also showed that the way activities are planned and run affects what young people gain from taking part.

The research found that:

• young people built confidence, skills, and a stronger sense of purpose

• communities benefited through improved spaces, services, or relationships

• young people gain individual benefits from doing youth social action, but they also receive the wider community benefits, too

• changes were stronger when young people had real leadership roles

• evidence about community change was less consistent than evidence for young people

• organisations improved practice by learning from delivery and evaluation