Local decision-making groups, volunteering and community groups

I think Ivana's contribution is especially telling because she is a librarian. Community involvement is hugely important for all our mental wellbeing. We used to go to the library to find out about these activities. Now everything is supposed to be on the internet, except it is often not there, or difficult to find. And if you do not have/cannot afford access to the internet, or you have ESOL, or you have learning difficulties... the libraries have gone and there is no-one to help you!

I am a librarian. I used to work in public libraries but left them because my position was eliminated. I used to work full-time and very strenuously because I had many responsibilities and like to give the best. Now I work part-time and so I can volunteer. I volunteer locally and nationally. Locally I am Friend of a park and I support the Green Party. I am also a member of StART, St Ann's Redevelopment Trust, which is a community-led housing project. Over 250 people are individual members, along with more members who are organisations of this very grass-roots attempt to offer an alternative solution to the affordable housing problem in London. I support StART because it voices what my neighbours also want. It is the voice of the community. It also stands for a more just distribution of housing. I can't live well if my neighbours don't live well and if neighbours who grew up or have lived for many years now have to move because they can't afford their home anymore. I am shocked at how quickly we are losing council and affordable housing. I am also shocked at how much public land and public services are easily given over to private enterprises. Whether working or volunteering, I am interested in including those who perhaps don't have a voice yet. I've been a newcomer myself to several countries and cities, so I know how it feels to be excluded. I'd also like to think I have tried and am trying my best to create a more just society.

I volunteer at a local school in different ways and have found that you get to know more of the local community this way but also find out about what affects the running of the school - key issue being reduced funding.
I am also a Trustee at a charity called Home Start which has had to amalgamate with 2 neighbouring boroughs to keep them afloat. The charity provides key support to those families with children under the age of 5yrs old, it is a preventative service too but once again funding is always an issue.
There is a local volunteering event that is held by the council for members of the public to join any charity or group they wish - which helps us to seek volunteers this way.
SUGGESTION:
It would be great to have fairs/events on, that local businesses or large corporates who are willing to support such charities or schools in any capacity could go to, so as to network & also engage on a community level.

I sing in choirs and am involved in Neighbourhood Watch. I also help the local branch of my favoured political party, particularly when it's coming up to election time. There are plenty of interesting things to do if one has time and energy, and it's good and satisfying to contribute to the community.

I volunteer at the local senior school, help in my local High Street and am the publicity person for a brass band. All activities make you feel you are help folks, making a difference to your local community, teachs you new skills and get you meeting new friends.

Feeling you make a positive different does improve your own welbeing and confidence.

I am the Treasurer for Bush Hill Park Residents Association in Enfield and I enjoy the admin, which helps to keep my brain working. We also try to solve perceived and actual problems in the local area. We hold Committee meetings once a month, at which at least one of our local councilors attend and the councilors like this kind of organisation as it feeds information back to them. We also have a website:

http://bhpra.org.uk/ as well as a facebook page. I also send out emails when I get interesting information from any source, including other local groups.

This gives many folk in the area a chance to see what is going on and also gives them a stronger voice when there are problems. Our local councilors are pretty good at getting things done and finding out who is the best officer to speak to in the Council.