A message from your MP

A quote I love that is sometimes mistakenly attributed to a hero of mine, Sir Winston Churchill, is: “You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give.’’

I am proud to say that this is clearly an ethos that the vast majority of people in our area embody and from talking to residents I hear time and time again the way volunteering benefits not only the wider community, but also directly enriches the lives of those that volunteer.

Like many in the Derbyshire Dales, I was a Reservist when I was younger and I was more recently honoured to be part of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme. I have always found volunteering very fulfilling. It can challenge and teach, and most importantly you are able to give back to the community that you love, and that has no doubt given so much to you.

I am a big believer that being part of a voluntary organisation such as the Scouts, Brownies or Armed Forces Cadets, which gives our young people a solid start to a life of volunteering, with an emphasis on community enrichment and traditional British values. Every single club such as these requires a host of adults who give up their time on a voluntary basis to ensure our young people have access to these organisations. These people deserve our thanks.

As a mother of four boys, I have spent my fair share of rainy Saturdays on the side of sport fields and I want to pay tribute for a moment to the coaches who give up their time, often as volunteers, to ensure our young people have access to sport. I have seen how being part of a club can nurture shy children into confident and self-assured young adults and this impact should not be underestimated.

You do not have to look far to see the work of volunteers in action. Our streets are often kept clean by community litter-pick groups, green spaces are planted out with the most beautiful flowers by community gardening groups and we have befriending services who help those who are lonely. We all know our local Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal sellers.

Our Town and Parish Council teams work all year round and I would hazard a guess that on nearly every street, in every village, there is someone looking out for another neighbour who may be older, more vulnerable or just going through a hard time. Times can be difficult and uncertain but, in our villages, in the places we are so privileged to call our home, the meaning of community and civic pride is alive and well.

If you need my help, please do ask by emailing me on sarah.dines.mp@parliament.uk or calling me on 020 7219 1751.

Sarah Dines MP