Want to make a difference? Become a neighbourhood champion in Harrow

If the answer is yes, then sign up to become one of Harrow 's growing team of neighbourhood champions. The next round of training takes place in late September and offers residents the chance to do something positive in their community. 

There are currently just over 740 neighbourhood champions in Harrow - with 300 more waiting to be trained - helping the police and the Council deal with issues quickly and effectively. This network of volunteers informs us of everyday nuisances in their local area from litter, graffiti or broken street lights, to vandalism and anti-social behaviour.  

Neighbourhood champions can do as little or as much as they like, so even if a resident works or is out of the house during the day, it is still a role they can do. All new volunteers receive training and a welcome pack explaining how to play their part. 

Cllr Bill Stephenson, Leader of Harrow Council, said: 

"Hundreds of neighbourhood champions like Dianne are working in partnership with the Council and police to make Harrow 's streets cleaner and safer. 

"They are all volunteers with the passion and pride to make a difference in their communities, and enjoy the rewarding feeling that brings. 

"With more training taking place in September, now is the perfect time to join and be part of the team that makes a real difference in Harrow ."  

To find out more or apply visit www.harrow.gov.uk/neighbourhoodchampions

Dianne Larrington, 42, volunteered to become a neighbourhood champion in Northolt Road, South Harrow, just over a year ago after hearing about it from her local Safer Neighbourhood Team. She said:  

"I always feel a connection to the area I live in, and I have been here for over 20 years. I also feel a duty to help make it as nice a place as possible, and if I see something that concerns me, I will talk to somebody about it. So in a way I was a bit of a neighbourhood champion before the scheme even started.  

"But when I heard about how the scheme works, and the support network it provides, I thought yes, I'd love to be part of that.  

"A year later and on the whole it has been great - it is nice to be a representative for my neighbours and the local shopkeepers.  

"One of the areas I have focused on is the service road behind the shopping parade, where there has been a real problem with litter, fly-tipping and other issues. The Council's public realm department has been fantastic, organising a week of action to clear up the mess, putting up new signs and improving the rubbish collection area. But there is still more work to do.  

"I meet regularly with the Safer Neighbourhood Team and council officers to deal with problems and it's good to know I have their support.  

"I know that if I see some rubbish on my way to work, I can call the Council in my lunchbreak, and by the time I walk home, it is gone. Little things make massive differences - I'm a firm believer in the broken window theory, that litter attracts more litter, and vandalism attracts more vandalism, so they need to be cleared up quickly.  

"It's really rewarding to see a positive change in your community that you have been part of. We all have a responsibility to make our communities a better place to live.  

"If you agree with me, sign up and become a neighbourhood champion today."