Council launches campaign to encourage people to get involved in the community

Published 29 December 2010

Southwark’s democracy champion has declared 2011 as the year that we stop talking and start getting involved.

Councillor Abdul Mohamed heads up the Democracy Commission and is also cabinet member for equalities and community engagement.

He has seen through his work the difference local people can make; and for 2011 he wants to encourage all residents to follow the example of those people who got involved in the commission and whose ideas are helping to radically reform democracy in the borough.

The campaign sees the council launch a new and improved Get Involved section online.

It is an online one-stop-shop for any resident thinking of making a difference in their community.

Responding to consultations on local services, contacting your councillor, sharing your views at council assembly, joining a local community group or offering to be a school governor are just a few of the ways included on the website for a resident to get involved.

Councillor Abdul Mohamed, cabinet member for equalities and community engagement, said:

"Let's make 2011 the year when we stop talking and start getting involved.

"If you live in Southwark you have the right to be involved, have your say as a resident and take part in decisions that affect you.

"Depending on what your interests are, how much time you have and how much or little you want to get involved, there are lots of ways you can make a difference.

"The council has a vision for a borough where everyone can make the most of the opportunities that come from being in the centre of London.

"Despite unprecedented government cuts we are determined to achieve our ambition - but we will need everyone to do their bit."

Residents already doing their bit

There are already thousands of residents making a difference in the community - with about 3,500 people registering with Southwark Volunteer Centre alone.

The council's new campaign hopes to capture that spirit to inspire more people to take part.

They include the likes of Felice Kharf, from Bermondsey, who runs Deli Felice on Albion Street in Rotherhithe with his wife Maddalena. Not content with running a popular café they have a vision of creating a vibrant community on Albion Street. The café acts as a meeting point for local people and a place where local artists can exhibit their work for free.

Then there's Tim Wood from Borough, Chair of Bankside Open Spaces Trust (BOST). An architect by day, in his own time he has been involved with BOST for ten years, working to make parks and small outdoor spaces better, safer and more sustainable.

Meanwhile what started off as a favour to friend turned into the perfect opportunity to give something back to the community for Jean Attridge, a former print works manager from Bermondsey. She has been Chair of Longfield Estate Tenants' and Residents' (TRA) Association for five years and in that time has introduced exercise classes, social dances and coach trips for residents in Bermondsey.

The campaign is backed by Clive Pankhurst, Chief Executive Volunteer Centre Southwark.

He said: "For anyone who hasn't tried volunteering why not give it a go? There are a lot of stereotypes about volunteering...that it's just for older people or about doing good or boring but there is so much you can do from being a Warship Conservation Volunteer on HMS Belfast to reading at a local school or helping with a local garden."

Get involved with the council

The council itself provides plenty of opportunities for people to get involved - not just the democracy commission, but in community safety, environmental issues and resident involvement panels. One example is the new, independent teenage pregnancy commission, which will bring together the public sector and local groups to find innovative ways to tackle the issue.

Get involved with in the community

Meanwhile there are many opportunities for people to volunteer with local charities and organisations. The Active Citizens Hub, Community Action Southwark, Southwark Circle Volunteer Centre Southwark and a host of forums are all looking for people willing to dedicate just a small amount of time to making a difference.

One example is the Southwark Pensioner Forum where all local pensioners and representatives from pensioner groups are welcome to come along to the meetings where the issues and concerns of local pensioners are discussed and relevant action recommended or taken.