Children and young people in Suffolk are being encouraged and empowered this week through a nationwide movement - with Ipswich being a pioneering town for youth action.
Monday, November 18, marks the start of #iwill week dedicated to supporting young people to make a difference on issues that impact their lives, communities and society.
During a special launch event at Ipswich Town Hall, Stephen Skeet from Volunteering Matters, said: "For too long, young people have been deprived or having an input into decisions which directly impact their lives.
"Ipswich is ahead of the curve and thanks to organisations and Suffolk County Council, Ipswich Borough Council, Ipswich Central and the University of Suffolk, Ipswich signed the power of youth charter."
Ipswich was the first town in the UK to sign the Power of Youth Charter, making it the first town of youth social action and a pioneer and guide for others across the UK.
Also at the meeting was Ipswich Borough Council leader Neil MacDonald, councillor Colin Kreidewolf, who has been involved in empowering young people with organisations for many years, the Mayor of Ipswich, Elango Elavalakan, and organisation leaders and pupils from three ASSET schools in Ipswich - St Helen's The Oaks and Cliff Lane Primary School.
The pupils shared what they have been doing in school related to #iwill, working on things they would like to change in the community and people that inspire them.
They also answered questions put to them by those in attendance.
It was revealed that the town social action has received a fund from Children in Need and the #iwill fund.
The money will be invested to help the work over the next year, with programmes being run and grants for small grassroots organisations who support the work on the power of youth.
This is the first time that a grant of this nature has been given anywhere in the UK.
Mr Skeet continued: "This is a testament to the work of everyone in this room and it gives us a really exciting jump off point in terms of what the next year looks like and how we can help our young people build into the town over the next 10 or 20 years.
"Young people drive what we do in Ipswich and that is unusual. We often downplay the work we do in Ipswich but actually we are leading the country.
"It's amazing that in this room we have got the leaders of today and the leaders of tomorrow."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here