New
New
How can citizens get involved in community change?
I can explain how citizens can get involved in community change.
Lesson 4 of 6
New
New
- Year 7
How can citizens get involved in community change?
I can explain how citizens can get involved in community change.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Changemakers work at local, national and global levels to solve problems and create positive change in communities.
- Examples of changemakers include volunteers, community leaders, campaigners, politicians, scientists and charities.
- Citizens can participate in decision-making by voting, joining councils or engaging in activities like protests.
- Young people can drive change by volunteering, raising awareness, organising events and using social media effectively.
- Active citizenship helps people to become changemakers and influence decisions in their communities.
Keywords
Citizen - a person who legally belongs to a country and has the rights and protection of that country
Change - an act or process through which something becomes different
Changemaker - someone who wants change in the world and, by gathering knowledge and resources, makes that change happen
Common misconception
Young people cannot change anything in their communities, only adults can.
Young people, as well as adults, can make lasting change in their communities. Young people have many powerful tools, like social media, to campaign for change.
It would be useful to find out the name of leaders in your community, e.g., your local councillor and your MP, to make the lesson more relevant to your pupils.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.NGOs improve people's lives and reduce suffering. This is called ...
NGOs improve people's lives and reduce suffering. This is called ...
Q2.Which are the main types of community organisations?
Which are the main types of community organisations?
volunteers
Q3.Charities help humans, animals and what else?
Charities help humans, animals and what else?
robots
banks
Q4.NGOs work towards change and people.
NGOs work towards change and people.
Q5.Match the community organisation with its example.
Match the community organisation with its example.
Q6.What do volunteers work for?
What do volunteers work for?
a small wage
a good wage
a lot of money
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What are citizens who work at local, national or global levels to solve problems and create positive change in communities called?
What are citizens who work at local, national or global levels to solve problems and create positive change in communities called?
problemfollowers
problemmakers
changefollowers
Q2.Which of these people do not spark change in communities?
Which of these people do not spark change in communities?
volunteers
campaigners
charities
Q3.Which one of these definitions describes a 'petition'?
Which one of these definitions describes a 'petition'?
an event to show or express strong disagreement with or disapproval of something
when actions or events are organised by an individual or a group of people
Q4.Instead of looking at pictures and watching videos on it, young people can use effectively to inspire change.
Instead of looking at pictures and watching videos on it, young people can use effectively to inspire change.
Q5.What helps people to become changemakers and influence decisions in their communities?
What helps people to become changemakers and influence decisions in their communities?
passive citizenship
family citizenship
lively citizenship
Q6.Match the word with its correct definition.
Match the word with its correct definition.
