Your Role in the Community

Becoming a British citizen or settling in the UK brings both responsibilities and opportunities. Everyone can take part in their local community.
This section explains your duties as a citizen and how to make your community a better place to live and work.

Shared Values and Responsibilities

The UK is one of the most diverse countries in the world, but people share common values and duties.
These include:

Obeying and respecting the law
Respecting the rights of others
Treating others fairly
Behaving responsibly
Helping and protecting your family
Respecting and protecting the environment
Treating everyone equally, no matter their sex, race, religion, age, disability, class, or sexual orientation
Working to support yourself and your family
Helping others
Voting in local and national elections

Following these values helps you become an active and responsible citizen.

Being a Good Neighbour

When you move into a new home, introduce yourself to your neighbours.
Getting to know them helps you make friends and feel part of your community.

Your neighbours can help you too — for example, by feeding your pets when you’re away or giving advice about local shops and services.

To avoid problems, respect their privacy, keep noise down, and tidy your garden.
Only put out your rubbish bags or bins when they are due for collection.

Getting Involved in Local Activities

Volunteering and helping your community are important parts of being a good citizen.
They help you meet people, learn new skills, and make your community a better place.
They also help you practise your responsibility and your duty to help others.

Ways to Support Your Community

Jury Service

If you are on the electoral register, you might be chosen at random to serve on a jury.
This is open to people aged 18–70 (or 18–75 in England and Wales).

Helping in Schools

Parents can help in classrooms, read with children, or support school events.
Schools often raise money through book or toy sales or food events.

Many schools have Parent–Teacher Associations (PTAs) that organise activities.
You can volunteer or join the PTA to support the school and make new friends.
Look for information in school notices or messages your children bring home.

School Governors

People from the community who want to improve education.
Must be aged 18 or over, with no upper age limit.
Their roles are:

Setting the school's strategic direction
Ensuring accountability
Monitoring and evaluating school performance

You can apply through your local school or online at www.governorsforschools.org.uk.
In England, parents and groups can also open free schools via www.gov.uk/set-up-free-school.

Supporting Political Parties

You can join a political party to support your views and take part in democracy.
During elections, members often canvass — handing out leaflets or knocking on doors to gain support.
You don’t have to share how you plan to vote.

British citizens, and sometimes Irish or Commonwealth citizens, can stand for office as a local councillor or Member of Parliament.
Find out more on party websites.

Helping with Local Services

You can volunteer with local hospitals, youth projects, universities, museums, or arts councils.
You can also become a special constable, lay representative, or magistrate.
Vacancies are often advertised in local newspapers, radio, or at www.gov.uk.

Blood and Organ Donation

Donating blood helps save lives and only takes about an hour.
Register at:

England and North Wales: www.blood.co.uk
Wales: www.welsh-blood.org.uk
Scotland: www.scotblood.co.uk
Northern Ireland: https://nibts.hscni.net

Many people also need organ transplants.
You can register to be a donor at www.organdonation.nhs.uk.
Living people can also donate a kidney.

Other Ways to Volunteer

Volunteering means working for good causes without pay.
It helps you meet new people, learn skills, practise English, and improve your CV.

Examples of volunteering:

Caring for animals
Youth work
Environmental projects
Helping the homeless
Mentoring people
Helping in hospitals
Supporting older people

There are thousands of charities in the UK, from large ones like British Red Cross and Cancer Research UK, to small local ones.
They support children (NSPCC), older people (Age UK), the homeless (Crisis, Shelter), and animals (PDSA).

Find volunteering opportunities at:

Local newspapers
Charity websites
https://doit.life/volunteer

Young people can join National Citizen Service (NCS) or similar programmes to learn skills and help their community:

NCS: wearencs.com
England: vinspired.com
Wales: volunteering-wales.net
Scotland: volunteerscotland.net
Northern Ireland: volunteernow.co.uk

Looking After the Environment

Recycling saves energy, reduces waste, and protects the planet.
Learn more at www.recyclenow.com or your country’s recycling website:

Wales: www.wasteawarenesswales.org.uk
Scotland: www.zerowastescotland.org.uk
Northern Ireland: local authority website

Support your community by buying local products — it helps farmers, reduces your carbon footprint, and supports local businesses.

Walking or using public transport instead of driving also helps protect the environment.

Key Points

UK citizens have shared values and responsibilities

Be a good neighbour

Get involved in volunteering and community activities

Support schools as helpers or governors

Serve on a jury when called

Join political parties or stand for public office

Volunteer with local services

Donate blood or organs

Get involved with charities

Young people can join National Citizen Service

Recycle, shop locally, and reduce pollution