Your Country Needs You (for a few hours a week)

I'm always being asked (normally by somebody who's not very happy with life) "What are you doing about...." and they add their current biggest annoyance.

The stock answer, and as it happens normally the true answer, is that we're doing what we can. But that we're limited to what we can do. Not because of our powers. Due to the current Government's knack for writing legislation I've got more power now than I know what to do with. But we are limited by resources. I can totally understand the person's frustrations at what they perceive as lack of action, but in their anger they can forget that there are lots of other people making reports of their own. And everybody expects an immediate and effective response from the Police.

So, here's a radical idea. Instead of merely complaining about how bad their communities are, can I suggest that these people do something about them. As far as the Police are concerned, they could join the Specials or become a volunteer at their local station. They could become a volunteer with Victim Support. In fact, for some of those with the more "minor" complaints, this would give a valuable insight into just how well off they are.

But it doesn't stop there. Volunteer to help at your kid's school or youth club. Help out with running the local scouts or guides groups. Coach kids football. Do a few hours a week helping out at the local charity shop, particularly if they directly help your community.

You could even go the whole hog and run for election onto the local council.

There's so many ways that we can all have a positive effect on our communities. And as my old mum once said, you have to help yourself before people will help you...