Volunteers in Blaby district have taken the leading roles in a video showing how successful community-based projects have improved the lives of local people and helped transform neighbourhoods.

The film is called the Big Society in Blaby District and focuses on five projects that have made a major contribution to health and well being, the environment or children and young people’s services. Among others, the film features the ‘A Place To Grow’ project in Enderby.

Police volunteers, youth workers and members of community groups from across the district were filmed talking about how the projects have helped to make their area a better place to live.

The video is available online at www.blaby.gov.uk/big-society.

Councillor Ernie White is chair of Blaby Together* – the partnership that produced the film – he said:

 “We wanted to show the great work already taking place across Blaby district but also to inspire and motivate others to look at how they can make a difference in their local communities.”

One of the projects featured in the film is the Blaby District Befrienders. The scheme is run by Community Action Partnership but only made possible through the work of volunteers who give their time to provide support and companionship to isolated or elderly people in the district.

Another scheme the film focuses on is the Fosse Villages Neighbourhood Plan project. This is a collection of eleven parish councils in the south of Blaby district that are working together to produce a plan that will guide development in their area in a way that reflects and benefits the local community.

Mike Lee is chair of the project, he said:

“The big society wasn’t invented at Whitehall and almost every community has groups which have been doing exactly the things politicians are now calling big society for many years.

“This film is about showing people who aren’t aware of what is going on how they can get involved in some of the great community projects already taking place in their area and influence local decision making.”

People who are inspired to get involved with community projects or who have suggestions for new schemes should visit their local community forum to discuss ideas.

There are three forums in Blaby district (north, south and central) which meet four times a year. Information on meeting dates, venues, suggested topics and news on funding is available at www.leicestershireforums.org.

Blaby District Council is also offering community grants of up to £5000 to groups who are looking to develop their activities. The deadline for this quarter is February 24. For more information or to request an application pack contact Community Action Partnership on 0116 272 7669 or email community@cabd.org.uk.