Chapter 5
Your role in the community
Shared values, being a good neighbour, and the many ways to take part: jury service, schools, political parties, volunteering, donating blood and organs, and caring for the environment.
By the end you should know
- List shared values and responsibilities of people living in the UK
- Know the ways you can help at schools and serve as a governor
- Know how to support political parties and local services
- Know the benefits and types of volunteering, and how to look after the environment
Settling in the UK or becoming a citizen brings responsibilities and opportunities. Britain is very diverse, but there is a set of shared values that everyone can sign up to, and taking part in your community makes it easier to become a full and active citizen.
What shared values and responsibilities does the handbook list for everyone in the UK?
Obey and respect the law · respect the rights of others · treat others fairly · behave responsibly · help and protect your family · respect and preserve the environment · treat everyone equally · work to provide for yourself and your family · help others · vote in local and national elections
Being a good neighbour
Getting to know the people around you helps you settle in and make friends, and neighbours can help out — for example by feeding your pets while you are away or recommending local shops. Being considerate avoids most disputes.
How can you be a good neighbour?
Introduce yourself when you move in, respect neighbours' privacy, limit noise, keep your garden tidy, and put rubbish out only when it is due to be collected.
Jury service
Being on the electoral register brings the right to vote and also means you may be picked at random to sit on a jury.
According to the handbook, who can be asked to do jury service?
Key factAnyone on the electoral register aged 18 to 70, chosen at random.
Helping in schools
Parents can help in the classroom, support activities, listen to children read, or help raise money through events such as book or toy sales — often organised by parent–teacher associations (PTAs). School governors (school board members in Scotland) are local people who help raise standards.
Who can be a school governor (or school board member in Scotland), and what are their three key roles?
Anyone aged 18 or over, with no upper age limit. Roles: setting the school's strategic direction · ensuring accountability · monitoring and evaluating school performance
Parents can also help in classrooms, listen to children read or join a parent–teacher association (PTA). In England, parents and community groups can apply to open a free school.
Supporting political parties
Joining a political party is a way to support its views and take part in democracy. Members are especially busy at elections, canvassing for their candidates. British citizens can also stand as a local councillor or MP (or for the devolved bodies); Irish and eligible Commonwealth citizens may be able to as well.
What is canvassing?
When party members knock on doors or hand out leaflets to persuade people to vote for their candidates. You do not have to tell a canvasser how you will vote.
Helping with local services
Local hospitals, youth projects and other services often want volunteers and local people on their decision-making bodies. Vacancies are often advertised in local newspapers or on local radio.
How can you volunteer with the police or the justice system?
Become a special constable or a lay (non-police) representative, or apply to become a magistrate.
You can also volunteer with local hospitals and youth projects, or serve on the governing bodies of universities, housing associations, museums and arts councils.
Blood and organ donation
Hospitals use donated blood to treat many injuries and illnesses, and many people are waiting for organ transplants. You can register online as a blood donor or an organ donor.
What does the handbook say about giving blood and organs?
Giving blood takes about an hour. Registering as an organ donor makes it easier for your family to decide about donating your organs when you die. Living people can donate a kidney.
Volunteering and charities
There are thousands of charities and voluntary groups in the UK, from British branches of international organisations to small local charities. They need volunteers both to help with their work and to raise money. Young people can volunteer and gain recognised experience, for example through the National Citizen Service.
What is volunteering and how does it help you?
Working for good causes without payment. It helps you meet people, improve your community, practise English and gain work skills for your CV.
Examples: caring for animals at a rescue shelter, youth work, litter pick-ups, homelessness shelters, mentoring ex-prisoners, hospital information desks, helping older people in care homes.
Which charities work with which groups?
Age UK — older people · NSPCC — children · Crisis and Shelter — homeless people · Cancer Research UK — medical research · National Trust and Friends of the Earth — environment · PDSA — animals
The British Red Cross is a British branch of an international organisation.
Who is the National Citizen Service programme for?
16- and 17-year-olds: outdoor activities, developing skills and a community project.
Looking after the environment
Recycling means new products use less energy and fewer raw materials and less rubbish goes to landfill. Buying local supports nearby businesses and farmers and means goods travel less far. Walking and public transport cause less pollution than driving.
How can you help look after the environment?
Recycle as much as possible (saving energy and raw materials and reducing landfill), shop locally to cut your carbon footprint, and walk or use public transport instead of the car.
Exam tip: you do NOT have to tell a canvasser how you will vote. School governors must be 18 or over, with no upper age limit. National Citizen Service is for 16- and 17-year-olds.