A team of four new Community Organisers has started working in Poole as part of a national effort to get people from all over the country more involved in their local communities. The plan is to have 5000 Community Organisers working up and down the country helping people to transform their communities from the grass-roots up.
Chris one of the organisers said: ‘We don’t have an agenda of our own, so our work depends entirely on what local people want to see happen in their communities. Our aim is to listen to hundreds of people, so we can build a network of volunteers and encourage them to become more active in their communities.’
‘We are hoping to find community champions who want to change the place they live for the better, and in order to do that we will be knocking on doors and trying to meet with as many local residents as possible.’
‘Everyone and anyone can get involved, even if they don’t live in our designated patches as we are also looking for people to volunteer to help us carry out our work by meeting, listening to and connecting the people who are passionate about their communities and eager to make changes.’
‘Volunteering to help the Community Organisers has many benefits. It supports our effort and helps to make a positive contribution to local communities. What’s more, it can be of enormous benefit to the individual doing the volunteering. Volunteers gain a sense of purpose through helping other people and doing good for their community. They discover more about themselves and learn new skills that are invaluable in other aspects of their life and work. So there are even more reasons to get in touch and get involved with the Community Organisers team!’
Successful projects elsewhere in the country have included breakfast clubs for school kids in Shropshire, saving a Sheffield bus route, starting a go-karting club in Luton and making footpaths safe in St. Helens.
Each Community Organiser is responsible for their own ‘patch’ and they plan to meet as many of the residents in their area as possible, with Chris covering Poole Town, Katie in Newtown and Jemma and Mollie working in Canford Heath.
‘We are here to listen, so if you happen to see us out and about in the area, come and say hello, join us for a cuppa and a chat, share your thoughts and tell us what you think you could do to improve your community.’
The Community Organisers scheme is administered by Locality, a national charity (Reg. Charity No. 1036460). Visit www.cocollaborative.org.uk for more information or contact the Community Organisers directly by email or phone.
[email protected] – 07929336075
[email protected] – 07929340073
[email protected] – 07929340148
[email protected] – 07929339873
Chris Flynn