Volunteers required!

Calling all local residents

You will be aware, through this website or the printed "Guide", of the important work undertaken on our behalf by a tiny group of Association committee members. This includes, for example:

• protecting our open spaces
• scrutinizing development proposals
• preventing our residential roads from becoming urban clearways
• and seeking to stop and reverse the deterioration of our local environment.

In a world where public funds are ever more stretched, it is increasingly important that we (i.e. YOU) take an interest in protecting and enhancing our local area.  After all, if we - the local residents - don't show an interest, who else will?

And that is where YOU come in. If you have a couple of hours a month you could devote to a meeting and a follow-up piece of action, such as writing a letter or doing some research, we need YOU to keep this among the very active Residents' Associations.

Please let us know if you might be able to help the Association in any way, or would like more information.

See also Jill Truman's essay For want of a nail ...

Current Residents' Association Vacancies include:

• Advertising Manager - this role has responsibility for managing advertising shown in the Guide and on this website (coming soon).  Time required: approx 2.5 hours each week, very flexible to fit around other commitments.  Please contact us if you are interested in finding out more.

Volunteering in general

• Citizens' Connection has now become Just Do Something, "a site for people who want to take the lead. From becoming a charity trustee to starting your own campaign, find out how you can shape the future."
• Action Link - information for London's voluntary sector
• Merton Volunteer Bureau
• Merton Council's list of voluntary organisations
• The Experience Corps - "an independent, non-profit-making company, funded by a grant from the Home Office, set up to encourage people, aged between 50 and 65, to offer their skills and experience to benefit others in their local communities"
• Let's Fix Britain - which I can think can fairly be described as a new home on the Web for constructive Meldrewism
• Do-it - "the home of volunteering on the Web"
• TimeBank - "making giving time easy and inspiring"
• Neighbourhood Initiatives - " Working with local authorities, housing associations, voluntary agencies and community groups, we offer an independent, quality service to improve the well-being of communities."
• Neighbourhood Watch in Merton
• Local newspaper article : "Help out at your library" (12th March 2003)