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2.3: Your Role in the Community

Becoming a British citizen or settling in the UK brings both responsibilities and opportunities. As part of this, everyone has the chance to participate and engage in their local community. This section will outline some of the responsibilities that come with citizenship and how you can contribute to making your community a better place to live and work.

Values and Responsibilities

While the UK is a diverse society, there are certain shared values and responsibilities that all citizens are encouraged to follow. These include:

Shared British Values
  • Obeying and respecting the law
  • Recognising the rights of others and respecting those rights
  • Treating others with fairness
  • Behaving responsibly
  • Supporting and protecting your family
  • Respecting and preserving the environment
  • Treating all individuals equally, regardless of gender, race, religion, age, disability, class, or sexual orientation
  • Working to provide for yourself and your family
  • Helping others in need
  • Voting in local and national government elections

By embracing these values, you can become an active and responsible citizen within your community.

Being a Good Neighbour

When moving to a new area, it’s a good idea to introduce yourself to your neighbours. Getting to know those living nearby can help you become more integrated into the community and can lead to new friendships. Neighbours can often be a valuable source of help—such as feeding pets while you are away or providing advice on local services.

To maintain good relationships, it’s important to respect their privacy and minimise any disturbances, like noise. Keeping your garden tidy and ensuring that bins and refuse bags are only left out for collection on designated days are also good practices to follow.

Getting Involved in Local Activities

Participating in local activities, such as volunteering, is an important aspect of being a good citizen. Volunteering allows you to meet new people and become more involved in your community. Supporting local activities helps foster a sense of togetherness, strengthens the community, and allows you to fulfil your responsibilities as a citizen, such as helping others and behaving responsibly.

How You Can Support Your Community

There are many positive ways to support your local community, and by doing so, you can enhance your role as a citizen.

Jury Service

Being on the electoral register gives you the right to vote and also means you may be randomly selected for jury service. Anyone between the ages of 18 and 70 who is on the electoral register may be asked to serve as a juror.

Helping in Schools

Parents can contribute to their children’s schools by helping with classroom activities or listening to children read. Schools often need help with organising fundraising events to provide extra resources or fund out-of-school activities. Common events include book sales, toy sales, or bake sales, and parents are encouraged to bring their ideas for new events.

These activities are often organised by parent-teacher associations (PTAs), and volunteering or joining the PTA is a great way to help the school while meeting other parents and becoming more involved in your community. Schools usually notify parents of such opportunities through notices or letters that children bring home.

School Governors and School Boards

School governors (or members of the school board in Scotland) are individuals from the local community who want to actively contribute to their children’s education. Anyone interested in becoming a school governor must be 18 years or older at the time of their appointment or election, and there is no upper age limit, meaning individuals of all ages can contribute.

The role of a governor or school board member is critical in raising educational standards in schools. They help shape the future of the school by performing three key roles:

Roles of School Governors
  1. Setting the strategic direction: Governors contribute to setting the school’s long-term objectives and work closely with the school leadership to establish priorities.
  2. Ensuring accountability: They hold the headteacher and staff accountable for the school’s performance, ensuring that decisions are made in the best interest of the students.
  3. Monitoring and evaluating school performance: They oversee the educational standards and progress, making sure that resources are being used efficiently to promote student achievement.

If you are interested in becoming a school governor or board member, you can contact your local school to inquire about vacancies. In England, there is also the School Governors’ One-Stop Shop (SGOSS) website (www.sgoss.org.uk), where you can apply online.

For parents or community members who wish to take an active role in education, there is also the opportunity to apply to open a free school. This option allows communities to set up schools that reflect their needs and educational preferences. You can find more information on this process on the Department for Education’s website (www.dfe.gov.uk).

Supporting Political Parties

Joining a political party is another way to get involved in shaping the future of the UK. Becoming a member allows you to support a specific political platform and contribute to the democratic process. Political parties welcome new members and encourage them to become active participants, particularly during election times, when members are needed to help persuade others to vote for their candidates.

Activities such as canvassing, which involves handing out leaflets and speaking to people to garner support for a party, are common during election periods. Canvassing is entirely voluntary, and individuals are under no obligation to disclose their voting preferences to canvassers.

British citizens are eligible to stand for various public offices, including roles such as:

  • Local councillor
  • Member of Parliament (MP)
  • Member of the European Parliament (MEP)

Other citizens, such as those from Ireland, eligible Commonwealth countries, or EU nations, may also stand for these positions (with some limitations). For more information about joining a political party, consult the party’s official website.

Helping with Local Services

Volunteering with local services is a meaningful way to engage with your community. These services often seek local input on decision-making, and volunteers are essential to their success. Some of the institutions that commonly seek volunteers include:

Volunteering Opportunities
  • Local hospitals
  • Youth projects
  • Universities
  • Housing associations
  • Museums
  • Arts councils

Local services often advertise volunteering opportunities through local newspapers and radio stations. You can also visit www.gov.uk to explore various ways to contribute, such as becoming a special constable with the police or serving as a magistrate.

Blood and Organ Donation

Blood donation is vital for treating a wide range of medical conditions and injuries in hospitals. Donating blood only takes about an hour and can significantly impact the lives of those in need. You can register to donate blood at the following websites:

Additionally, many individuals in the UK are waiting for organ transplants. By registering as an organ donor, you make it easier for your family to decide about donating your organs when you die. You can register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk, and living donors may also be able to donate a kidney to those in need.

Other Ways to Volunteer

Volunteering is an excellent way to contribute to your community while gaining personal satisfaction. It is unpaid, but the benefits extend beyond financial compensation. Volunteering helps you meet new people, gain work experience, and improve your skills, such as practising English or enhancing your CV for future job opportunities.

Common volunteer activities include:

Common Volunteer Roles
  • Working with animals at a local shelter, caring for those awaiting adoption.
  • Youth work, such as mentoring or supporting children and teenagers in youth groups.
  • Environmental work, including participating in litter pick-ups and other local improvement projects.
  • Assisting the homeless, perhaps at a homeless shelter, providing meals or support.
  • Mentoring individuals, particularly those who need help reintegrating into society, such as former prisoners.
  • Hospital volunteering, such as staffing an information desk or helping out in wards.
  • Supporting elderly people at residential care homes or providing company to those who live alone.

Volunteering can offer great personal satisfaction by making a tangible difference in the community and helping others lead better lives.

Charities and Voluntary Organizations in the UK

The UK is home to thousands of active charities and voluntary organisations, each working to improve the quality of life for people, animals, and the environment in different ways. These organisations range from large, well-known charities to small, local groups that focus on specific areas or causes.

Some of the larger charities include:

Major UK Charities
  • British Red Cross: Providing humanitarian aid and emergency assistance.
  • Age UK: Supporting older people and promoting their well-being.
  • National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC): Working to protect children from abuse and neglect.
  • Crisis and Shelter: Organisations that support people experiencing homelessness.
  • Cancer Research UK: Conducting vital research to find cures for cancer.
  • Friends of the Earth and The National Trust: Promoting environmental conservation.
  • People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA): Offering veterinary care for animals in need.

Volunteers are essential to these organisations, helping them carry out their activities and raise funds. Charities often advertise opportunities to volunteer in local newspapers, and most have websites where you can learn more about how to get involved.

For general information about volunteering for a wide range of organisations, you can visit www.do-it.org.uk. This website provides details on how to find volunteering opportunities that suit your interests and availability.

Opportunities for Young People to Volunteer

There are numerous opportunities for young people in the UK to volunteer and gain recognised accreditation that can help them develop skills for their future. One of the most notable programmes is the National Citizen Service (NCS). The NCS programme offers 16- and 17-year-olds the chance to engage in outdoor activities, develop personal skills, and participate in a community project. These experiences help young people grow while giving back to their community.

If you are a young person interested in volunteering, here are some useful resources:

  • UK-wide: Find opportunities across all regions at doit.life.
  • England: Visit kingstrust.org.uk to find youth volunteering opportunities.
  • Wales: Information can be found at volunteering-wales.net.
  • Scotland: Explore options at volunteerscotland.net.
  • Northern Ireland: Visit volunteernow.co.uk for more details on how to get involved.

Looking After the Environment

One of the key responsibilities of citizens is looking after the environment. Recycling as much of your waste as possible is a critical step in protecting the planet. Recycling reduces the need to extract raw materials, uses less energy, and decreases the amount of waste sent to landfill. This means that fewer natural resources are consumed, and less pollution is created.

To learn more about recycling and how you can contribute, you can visit the following resources:

Another way to support your local community and reduce your carbon footprint is by shopping locally. Purchasing local products not only supports British farmers and businesses but also reduces the pollution caused by transporting goods over long distances.

Walking or using public transport instead of driving whenever possible is also a simple way to reduce pollution and help protect the environment. By opting for sustainable transport options, you can help make a positive impact on the planet.

Check your knowledge

Which of the following is a key role of a school governor?