Get involved in your community

Being active and involved our community is fundamental to resilience; it helps us get to know our neighbours, make the most of our skills and talents and really enjoy the area we live in.

Newham is already a vibrant and exciting place and we're making it easier than ever for you to participate in your community.

One of the best ways to get involved and make a difference locally is through volunteering. Newham Volunteers is our council-led programme which has 3,000 active volunteers. We match you with fantastic opportunities that suit your skills and interests and give you the training you need to get up to speed. Through volunteering, you're not just helping others, it's also an opportunity to learn something new, get to know people locally and to have fun! Find out how you can become a Newham volunteer here.

Our volunteers help to run our borough-wide and local events. We have the largest free sports and activities programme in London, including the Mayor's Newham Show and the ever-popular Under the Stars musical events.

With the 2012 Games coming to Newham, there will be more activity than ever this year. There will be over 600 free community events in Newham including local festivals across the borough.

As well as taking advantage of the events and activities that we provide, people should feel able to organise things locally that bring the community together. If you want to do something in your area, say a street party, a talent show or a sporting event the council can help you make it happen. We might be able to offer you help with planning, promotion and even some funding to get you started. Find out more on our Let's Get the Party Started page.

This week Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham, will be speaking at an event by the Organisation for Public Management on "unlocking local capacity". The Mayor will talk about our approach and the importance of local participation in building community and personal resilience.