Would you like to make new friends and get involved with amazing local community groups? If so, volunteering could be just the thing for you.

The Highgate Society is aware that many people are keen to get more involved locally but often don’t know where to start. So, we hosted a Big Help Out Day event on May 8 at 10 A South Grove, where residents interested in volunteering could meet current volunteers from the Society and other local groups to learn more.

It was a great opportunity for people to find out about a range of organisations including Highgate Cemetery, Friends of Waterlow Park, Holly Lodge Community Centre, the HLSI and its Archives and the Fair in the Square, among many others.

Ham & High: Madeleine Cosgrove encourages people to get involved by volunteeringMadeleine Cosgrove encourages people to get involved by volunteering (Image: Highgate Society)

Volunteering offers so much and is a great way to give something back. It provides a sense of purpose and opportunities for all age groups to mix and gel.

Perhaps you have always wanted to edit a magazine, run a website, mentor young people, help organise an event or join with others in guerrilla gardening. The possibilities are almost endless, and all make a positive difference to our community.

The Big Help Out Day event was a great success with many new volunteers joining local groups and we all enjoyed the chance to catch up over tea and coronation cake.

This is important as The Highgate Society is run entirely by volunteers, with no paid staff! We recruited a new treasurer who is already getting to know the range of our activities.

Someone was interested in local history and helping in the archives next door. Another resident was looking to support Highgate Cemetery. The Fair in the Square signed up new volunteers to help on the day in June.

Feedback from fair volunteers has since been extremely positive, with many already signed up for next year! The fair also benefits from volunteer students at nearby schools including Highgate, Channing and St Aloysius who all enjoy the experience.

The Highgate Society will be organising another Big Help Out Day soon. To find out more, do get in touch via our website: HighgateSociety.com, sign up to our newsletter, look out for posters, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

We look forward to welcoming you to our friendly community of volunteers.

  • Madeleine Cosgrave, Highgate Society council member and Fair in The Square organiser