By David Lammy

More than half of people in Britain today believe helping out in their local community really matters – and almost one in two would consider volunteering in the next year.

That tells you something about who we are: a country built on stepping up, giving back, and looking out for one another.

I’ve seen it all my life. Growing up in Tottenham, neighbours helped each other out. If someone was struggling, there’d be a knock at the door, a hot meal, a helping hand. That instinct to serve is what defines us as a nation.

As we start 2026, many of us are thinking about fresh starts and new goals. For some, that means getting fitter or learning a new skill. But what if this year, your resolution was to make a real difference in your community?

Every day, thousands of people do just that – coaching youth sports teams, supporting elderly neighbours, helping at community gardens, mentoring young people. Quiet acts of kindness that keep our communities strong.

But........

© LBC