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Find your way round the discussions by clicking on any of the issues below:
Find your way round the discussions by clicking on any of the issues below:
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Registered Charity No. 1113255
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Everyone on community
I've noticed that a lot of discussions on here are negative-focussed: what's wrong with the government, the Big Society agenda, etc.
How about a more positive thread?
If the government has got it all wrong and doesn't understand young people, then what volunteering have you done recently? What's important in your community? Do you work in an area, or study something you really love? What are your... Read more
over 2 years ago
Leoni Fay Million
Hi Alice, I currently volunteer at a college supporting learning diasable young adults between the ages 16 and 25 they struggle with simple tasks and smile when you help them put their coat on i go to work each day and they wave and smile and i help them improve their number skills and writing their name also with practical tasks like cleaning out pigs and so on. I have made such a bond with them... Read more
Myriam Roberts
It is always good to be positive if it possible!
David McNeilage
Good on you!
Aklima Vinspired
it's easier to think of the negatives.
Lusiné Manukyan
I think it's important to recognise and discuss both the positives and the negatives.
Being inspired by Onyere's blog I decided to write my own about the 21st Century Activist event organised by the Big Society's Big Mouth and the Parliamentary Outreach on the 23rd May.
So, it was a really early start for me that morning, having to wake up at around 4.30am (although I must admit I snoozed my alarm at least 3 times and got up at 5.00) to catch a train at 6.30am from Newcastle to... Read more
almost 2 years ago
Lusiné Manukyan
Wow, this is longer than I expected it to be!
Myriam Roberts
It was one of the best events I have ever been to! love your blog by the way!
Lusiné Manukyan
It was, wasn't it? And thanks :)
Kate VInspired
Hi Lusine
Thanks for your blog, glad you enjoyed the day- phew that is a seriously long day...19 hours, you deserve a medal!
Kate
Following shocking stats that 1 in 5 16-24-year-olds are jobless, vet charity PDSA is offering 'speed volunteering' - taster sessions at its charity shops next week (4-9 April). You can 'try before you buy' to see if volunteering would suit you. It can improve employment prospects, boost confidence & give you the chance to learn new skills, while helping a good cause. Find out more by watching... Read more
about 2 years ago
Kate VInspired
Hi Lisa, thanks for posting your video- it's a great idea for people to try out volunteering and hopefully they will want to stay involved after their first taster!! Can people get involved in the lend a paw project across the country?
Lisa Pdsa
Thanks Kate - we're hoping lots of people will give a try! Yes people can get involved across the UK as PDSA has over 180 stores in towns and cities in Scotland, England, Wales & NI.
To find out where your local volunteering opportunities are, call freephone 0800 854194 or email volunteers@pdsa.org.uk
Ruth Hennell
Often when you are looking for work and hoping a job will accept you, then you can't commit for a long time, it's really great when charities can make volunteering flexible to fit in with the different needs of volunteers!
Lisa Pdsa
Hi Ruth, absolutely, that's the brilliant thing about volunteering! Seeing as its National Volunteers' Week (1-7 June), I'd definitely encourage people to give volunteering a try!.
I hope the "Big Society" does work, i think it'll help to bring communities back together and build the level of trust within each other and hopefully reduce crime rates too, as crime has actually increased since trust has decreased (an odd paradox).
Volunteering in the community is a good way to acheive this trust. I've been working with Young Carers in my area and you get a good feeling from it... Read more
about 2 years ago
Kate VInspired
Hi Rachel,
Thanks for your comments above, it's really good to hear your perspective and that you are hopeful the Big Society will have a positive effect on our communities. In your experience of volunteering what local services do you think will need the Big Society the most? Also check out Rachel's discussion she wants to hear from people about the volunteering they do in their communities: Read more
Rachel Anderton
Thanks Kate :) I think the Big Society will rely a lot on "hobby bobbies" as there are a lot of cuts in the public sector. I think we'll need a lot of people to volunteer to clean up the streets and things as jobs in the council are going and also just volunteering in social services, such as carers, tutors and children in care. I know it's a lot to ask, but surely if everyone pulls together it... Read more
Phillip Ly
Interesting, I agree with Rachel - 'hobby bobby' sums it up perfectly. As a serial 'hobby bobby' myself, I think it's great the more attention is being drawn to the positive individual contributions that we can make to communities and the Big Society as a whole.
The catch, though, is that there's a dependence on the good will of volunteers ... here's hoping there's an infinite pool of it ... and... Read more
Rachel Anderton
This is the only problem, i worry, will there be enough people who see this volunteering as a good thing or be too wrapped up in their own lives to take part? I admit, yes, some people will have problems or committments which may physically prevent them taking on any more time to volunteer, but will these people, ordinary people who have free weekends, or a part-time job, be willing to spend another... Read more
Big Walkies is a local community group for people living in and around Cambridgeshire who wish to walk with dogs in Cambridgeshire and its surrounding areas. But don't let the title put you off, we welcome those who don't own their own dogs, just come along and join in the fun!
We are the Big Society, in action, in Cambridgeshire.
The 3 aims for Big Walkies:
Socialise the dogs and humans
Improve... Read more
Big Walkies - Home
over 2 years ago
Kate VInspired
Hi Becca, thanks for uploading your project- how long have you been running for?
Becca Bryant
Hi Kate,
We started as a group of friends by a facebook event in September 2010, but have launched to a community event on 1st Feb. We give our members a password so that they are able to access a hidden part of our site which shows our events. Membership is completely free and its run by myself and friends who all volunteer their time to organise events :)
Kate VInspired
Fantastic project Becca, as someone who encourages a sense of community where you live, what do you think about the Big Society? Do you think it will encourage other young people to get involved in projects in their community?
Becca Bryant
Thanks Kate,
What do I think about the Big Society?! Hmm..... To me - I am part of the Big Community, Big Walkies is the Big Community. Its about people meeting up, talking about every day life and doing things that they enjoy.
I think that people under-estimate young people wanting to do thing for free. I am 25, hold down a full time job and a part time job AND run Big Walkies with the help of... Read more
Heres somthing I have just came across on the web an interesting approach to social housing allocation by Barnet council…
Allocation based upon community contributions and volunteering … (see link pg26 / 27)
http://www.barnet.gov.uk/allocations-scheme-the-full-rules-march-2011.pdf
This made for very interesting reading, it made me think of a number of questions...
1) Is this approach somthing... Read more
almost 2 years ago
Ruth Hennell
I think this is interesting. At first I thought, no way, housing should be based on need, some people can't volunteer and after all volunteering is VOLUNTARY.
But thinking about it I wonder, if you had a certain percentage assigned this way, maybe that would be a positive thing for that community or estate. Those who volunteer are more likely to support local community projects, you need people... Read more
VGary Brunskill
Hi ruth, thanks for your comment.. its interesting to hear about your aunt moving to the new estate, and being a welcoming figure in the community.
It would be great to hear if anyone has come across any other councils which are running simular schemes... ???
Garath Symonds, assistant director for young people at Surrey county council, claims in this Guardian blog post that "Young people have come to expect a level of service and support that we are changing under the banner of "transformation and reform". He wonders if "we could start a renegotiation of the service offered to young people."
I know you guys are very passionate about youth projects... Read more
On a recent visit to several youth projects, Garath Symonds found a generation terrified of what the cuts will mean to them
about 2 years ago
Kathy Marshall
Most seem to go without any service or support anyway, or get a useless attempt at it, so rather a lot of people don't actually have anything to lose.
Danny Muggleton
This man went on to do some of the largest cuts in any frontline service in the country. Surrey is now deprived of any form of youth service to help those that may be more vulnerable or that need support. We are terrified of cuts bought on by people like him
Hi there i am part of a new community group based in clydebank near glasgow,we are currently in the process of submitting a proposal to our local council with regards to taking over our community hall,My question is,Does anyone know how the Big Society can help us with the transition?
about 2 years ago
Charlotte Beckett
Hi Gary,
Are you looking for specific advice around completing your funding application? The council should have a support team attached to the funding project to help you with this. You could ask them too how they will support you in the transition process if you are successful.
One other related topic you may be interested in is the Big Society Bank. There's some articles about it here... Read more
Charlotte Beckett
This comment has been removed by the user.
how does your garden grow? aims to give local people an opportunity to learn to grow their own food while having fun working outdoors with their friends and neighbours. Volunteers will learn practical skills in horticulture and how to manage a plot of land for food as well as meeting like-minded people and learning how to manage a community-run project.
Volunteers will be responsible for demonstrating... Read more
over 2 years ago
Kate VInspired
Hi Charly, thanks for posting your project, it's a great idea would love to hear more about it- how long have you been running your project? I think every community could do with a place to learn about growing your own veg while meeting people you live near and being outdoors at the same time...perfect combo!
Charly Crump
its a new project, only been running since Jan of this year. We have hosted a Green Woodwork Workshop, a wreath making workshop and some garden activity days. Now we need to get lots of people on board to help with the planting. Hopefully the nice weather will get more people willing and involved! Thanks for the encouragement!
The Community Face lift involves finding a place that needs a bit of work and carrying out some of that work.
the project will be carried out on the 19th of February.
over 2 years ago
VHenry Mackintosh
Thanks Chris for posting - it would be great to see some photos of the project once it's taken place.
VGary Brunskill
Chris - i hope eveything is going well... looking forward seeing you down in hastings for the community face lift...