Article for N21 - N21’s Big Society
30th July 2010
David writes for N21 magazine:
One of the delights of being an MP is the opportunity to visit and be involved in the many voluntary organisations which determine the strength of our community. Last month together with Nick de Bois Enfield North MP we hosted an event in the Commons for over 90 individuals who voluntarily give their time to serve others. There were people covering literally the cradle to the grave from early years care to hospice care, from charity shops to youth clubs. Many parts of our diverse community were represented – Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Jewish; Asian, African Caribbean, Italian, Cypriot and Turkish. The point of the gathering was to simply say ‘thank you’, and introduce the ‘big society’ agenda.
Two points quickly became apparent to me. First, the State could never match the vitality, understanding and care of these local volunteers. They know their ‘patch’ intimately, with many having themselves been users of the services that they are now helping to provide, and care for the individual who crosses their threshold beyond the bureaucrat’s concern for targets and statistics. Second, was that this IS the ‘big society’ and it does not need reinventing. The networking taking place at the event had immediate results- for example Home Start linked up with Oxfam to obtain some play equipment. We need to find more ways to enable the voluntary sector to play a greater role and I see it as a key priority for me to help fan the flames of the voluntary spirit in Enfield Southgate.
It is not all about being part of a group. Two constituents reminded me of the difference we can all make as we practically seek to ‘love our neighbour’. They did not walk on the other side when coming across a homeless man and made sure that, despite many obstacles, he eventually obtained shelter and support. Their experience has spurred me to seek to establish an ‘Enfield Good Samaritan Network’ to help people with complex needs, and particularly mental health and addiction problems.
An immediate opportunity to support local charities and particularly the North London Hospice is coming next month. I am organising a charity cricket match on Friday September 10th at Walker Cricket Ground. We will be trying to raise as much money as possible for the Hospice’s plans to build its first day care centre in Enfield on the site of The Laurels -a former children's clinic in Barrowell Green.
I will be leading out the Southgate MP’s All Stars XI against a Southgate CC All Stars XI. You are very welcome to come to the match which will start at 5pm and will hopefully include some other MPs and celebrities. Former England Captain Mike Gatting will be attending and providing the commentary which will be worth listening to regardless of the cricket!
