Local Action Groups: The Story So Far

Include this article in your Skills Builder Journal. It could help you develop...

Back in September, our Local Action Groups opened and young people all over the country started getting together to create real, positive change. You might remember our blog where we spoke to Local Action Group Leaders Sofie and Josh about how they helped set up the groups and what they hoped to see from them.

Next, it was over to you - the people taking part! We spoke to you about the projects you’re doing, what your meetings are like and what you hope to achieve.

First up, we spoke to Sonal from Hounslow who said, “I really enjoyed my first meeting as I got to meet many new people, and come up with new ideas to help my community and discover the ways I can help to do so. It helped me realise that there are many issues in my community. Some issues that interest me are homelessness and mental health. I think these are very big issues that can really impact someone’s life, and knowing that a lot of people in my community go through makes me really want to help.”

Next, we heard from Alessia in Southwark. She wasn’t able to attend the first Local Action Group meeting, but quickly caught up in the second and got inspired by everyone’s stories. For Alessia, helping out in her community is something she really cares about. She said, “I’m interested in the multicultural community that we live in. I have seen first hand how some cultures and people can be unintentionally segregated because there is a language barrier. So what I want to achieve is to create activities and events where my community can come together and not only enjoy themselves, but make friends too so that they can create a support network.” Alessia is also looking to the future when it comes to being part of her Local Action Group: “I want to become a lawyer in the future and I’m still deciding what field I want to work in. I think this group could help me clarify that and do activities that will build my character!”

Andrea from Brent was next, who went into a bit more detail about what the meetings are like. They said, “In our first meeting, we introduced ourselves and got to know each other first, before exploring how we can help our community, what issues we have in our areas and how we can improve them. We did this in groups and then presented them to everyone.” For Andrea, these issues stemmed in “the high levels of crime, littering, inequality and injustice in my community. I believe if we are able to decrease these levels, we’d be able to bond more. I know a lot of people in my community want to do so, but are unsure how to.”

Breanna and her team in Kingston came up with a social action project and how to put it into action. She explains, “my group decided to raise money for the homeless in Kingston by doing a sponsored walk. We are going to raise money and use it to buy supplies such as sleeping bags - as it is getting closer to winter and the temperature is decreasing fast.”

Finally, we heard from Amber who said she found the Local Action Group meetings “really insightful as we got to actually find out what is happening in our areas and what needs improving. Our first meeting was about getting to know the other members and then we started to look into the projects. What I want to learn is how to actually make a difference in my community and ways to make it better without going out of my comfort zone. Me and two others are wanting to set up a buddy system in schools, as a form of help for the younger year groups. We think that children are more likely to talk to someone of their own age rather than an adult, so we are trying to implement this in schools. So far I have had approval from my form tutors and my head of sixth form to go ahead with this project. Our next step is to meet up again soon to put together a pitch for our head teacher and head of well-being to have their approval and go from there!”

We also heard from some Local Action Group Leaders about the different kinds of projects that are happening all over the country. In Yorkshire and Humber, one group has decided to focus on the theme of childhood poverty, which is especially prominent over Christmas time. They're organising a sponsored walk, cycle or run which covers the distance from Oakwell Stadium to Lapland to raise funds which will go towards packs of craft kits, baking kits, recipes, activity books, and local food bank resources for low-income families.

Groups in the North East are looking at community engagement, collecting clothes for families in need, beach cleaning, setting up allotments, encouraging people to go outside, and even thinking ahead to plan a community Easter egg hunt!

In Manchester, one group has decided to focus on raising awareness and educating more young people about county lines, and will be writing an article which directs young people to more information and charities which provide support. Another has partnered with Manchester Refugee Support Network to provide refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrant groups with essential basic necessities. The group will be collecting things like hats, gloves and toiletries to create care packages to give to those in need in the lead up to Christmas.

Want to make a difference where you live? If you’re an NCS Grad (up to the age of 24), have completed volunteering through Keep Doing Good this summer, or taken part in NCS activities this autumn, find out more about joining a Local Action Group in your area!