Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK. In our area so many of the things we report on on this site have significant input from volunteers committed to improving our communities - so it's worth considering for a moment the impact that  volunteer-run organisations have on local life.

Across our area volunteer-led Community and Residents Associations represent the collective voice of local people - if you are not yet a member of the Bowes Park Community Association - please join, your support enables the volunteer run group to do all the work to improve our area - including the Green Gym in Myddleton Road and the forthcoming green space at the end of Russell Road.Other associations are the Bounds Green and District Residents Association and Broomfield Home Owners and Residents.

We have well established and well used open spaces in Finsbury Gardens and Myddleton Road Gardens which rely on volunteer effort to keep them looking good and operate a calendar of community events throughout the year. The Walking Group, Art Group, Folk Club and Bowes Park Community Choir are volunteer run projects which provide opportunities for neighbours to come together and have fun - whilst connecting with their neighbours.

But it's not just entertainment and leisure activities; our local schools rely on volunteer governors and have active Friends Associations organising family events and fundraising for the school - an example is the Friends of Bowes.  In a separate post on this website Liz sets out the important work that volunteer advisors with the Citizens Advice Bureaux do to make a difference to vulnerable neighbours - but crucially also details the health and well being benefits to those who volunteer.

One of our more recent local initiatives, the Myddleton Road Market, has been set-up with many hours of volunteer time and the "We Love Myddleton Road" group picks up on local volunteer work over many years to provide a new impetus to regenerate our area.

All of this local work fits into a broader network of volunteer projects and initiative in neighbouring areas Friends of Parks groups in Woodside Park, Arnos Park,  Grovelands Park and Broomfield Park help ensure our open spaces are well looked after and host regular events - such as the Palmers Green Festival which are major undertakings for unpaid volunteers. Noel Park Market runs regularly throughout the year, St Harmonica's Blues Club at Southgate is a local institution and the Talkies Community Cinema consistently delivers a high quality film programme.

All of these projects are based on local volunteers freely committing their time to make an improvement to our area - so do make the time to celebrate our vibrant local voluntary infrastructure this week.

One good way to celebrate Volunteers Week is to pop-along and have a cuppa and a slice of cake from the Palmers Greenery - the new Community Cafe in Broomfield Park.

Thanks to all the local volunteers who are working so hard to make our community even better!