Latest news with #communityengagement
BBC News
13 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
'Amazing surprise' to be appointed Staffordshire Lord-Lieutenant
Staffordshire's new Lord-Lieutenant has said she believes the job is still "really important" and provides a way for the royal family to keep in touch with what is happening around the Barnes formally took up the role on 15 July following the retirement of Sir Ian Dudson who had been Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire since had been a deputy lieutenant since 2020, but said it never crossed her mind that she might be asked to take on the position herself."It was the most amazing surprise," she said. Ms Barnes added it was fitting that her first engagement in the role was with the MOD Stafford, as historically Lord-Lieutenants were appointed by Henry VIII to oversee the armed forces in their taking up the position, Ms Barnes has also attended graduation ceremonies at Keele University and the University of Staffordshire, which she felt was also fitting given her previous started out as a PE and Maths teacher at Longton High School and Bilbrook Middle School, before working for role was "really important" due to the potential for engaging with the community, she told BBC Radio Stoke. "The King's very passionate about his awards – particularly for voluntary services, and for businesses, for enterprise," she said."It's keeping the royal family in touch with what's going on across our country," she added she had been supported "hugely" by her predecessor Sir Ian, and had met with other Lord-Lieutenants at Windsor Castle to help her prepare for the "a little daunted", she said she had been warmly welcomed during her first few engagements."What is great is that we recognise how important our Royal Family are, still, to our communities."Ms Barnes added it was also a "huge honour" being Lord-Lieutenant for the county hosting the National Memorial Arboretum. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Emirates 24/7
a day ago
- General
- Emirates 24/7
CDA launches flagship initiative to embed volunteerism across Dubai
As part of its efforts to strengthen civic engagement and foster a culture of giving, the Community Development Authority (CDA) in Dubai has announced the launch of the 'Volunteerism Awareness and Engagement' project. The initiative aims to deepen public understanding of volunteerism and empower individuals across all age groups to play an active role in Dubai's development journey—aligned with the objectives of the 'Year of Community'. The project highlights the concept of volunteering, the ecosystem that supports it, and the rights and responsibilities of volunteers. It also encourages participation across all segments of society and serves as a comprehensive platform for individuals to generate measurable social impact—either through field-based contributions or by enhancing their leadership capacities in the volunteer sector. Milestone achievement Reflecting the strong community spirit in the emirate, Dubai has recorded a total of over one million volunteer hours in 2024 — a milestone that underscores both heightened public awareness and strong institutional involvement. According to statistics from CDA's Volunteerism Department, nearly 59,000 volunteers are now registered on its platform. In the first quarter of this year alone, over 18,000 individuals took part in volunteer programmes, contributing more than 500,000 hours of service, equivalent to an estimated economic value of AED40 million. Specialised volunteering is also on the rise, with over 100 skilled opportunities completed by 500 volunteers who contributed a combined total of 8,000 expert hours. Multi-stakeholder ideation workshop As part of its drive to co-create with the community, CDA organised a collaborative ideation workshop that brought together volunteer teams, government entities, charities, senior citizens, and people of determination. The session resulted in a series of inclusive, impact-driven initiatives aligned with the goals of the 'Year of Community'. Among the key outcomes was the formation of Dubai's first volunteer team comprised of people of determination—empowering this segment of society to take on meaningful roles. Likewise, the emirate's first senior citizens' volunteer team was launched with members from the Thukher Club, in recognition of the wisdom and life experience of the older generation. Several other initiatives were introduced, including: • Mothers and Daughters, encouraging compassionate visits to hospital patients • A Day with Senior Citizens, fostering intergenerational bonding • Agriculture Zones, uniting students and the elderly in educational gardening projects • A recycling awareness initiative aimed at promoting environmental responsibility • Volunteer Leadership Hub, a capacity-building programme for developing certified volunteer leaders • National identity programmes such as cultural etiquette ('Sana'a') sessions and national identity storytelling sessions Measurable social impact CDA emphasised that these initiatives represent a strategic shift in mainstreaming volunteerism and broadening inclusive civic participation. The implementation of the initiatives will follow a structured roadmap and rely on robust partnerships with public, private, and community stakeholders to ensure sustainability and maximise on-the-ground impact.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Plymouth to join scheme to improve services
Plymouth City Council has been selected by the government to pilot a new scheme aimed at improving public services. The Test, Learn, Grow initiative aims to make services more responsive and resilient by "trying new ideas and learning quickly", the government said. Part of the pilot includes electing "learning stewards" who will listen to feedback, share stories and adapt strategies. Councillor Mary Aspinall said the initiative was about "putting people first and moving away from tick box targets and towards listening, learning, and adapting". More on this story More news stories for Devon Listen to the latest news for Devon The council said it viewed the scheme as a chance to "rethink how we support residents facing complex challenges and inequalities". Aspinall said: "We want to build services that work for the real world - messy, complicated, and full of human stories. "This is about building trust, empowering communities, and making sure our services reflect the lives of the people who use them." The council said Wellbeing and Family Hubs, charities and community groups would play a key role. "The goal is to build a system that's more responsive, more resilient, and more rooted in the communities it serves," it said. "It's a shift from top-down decision-making to something more collaborative and human." Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ More on this story Community facilities get funding boost Council launches scheme to assist people in crisis Council agrees plan to improve children's services Related internet links Government Test, Learn, Grow programme Plymouth City Council
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Watch: UAE Vice-President plays volleyball with residents at Abu Dhabi summer event
The UAE's royal family has long been admired for its approachable nature and active engagement with the community. Whether through public appearances, sporting events, or cultural initiatives, the country's leaders are often seen interacting directly with citizens and residents alike. A recent example where this has been displayed is when Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Vice-President and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, joined community members and athletes for a game of volleyball, as seen in a video shared by Wam on Wednesday. The leader met the organisers of the 'Abu Dhabi Summer Sports' event and toured some of the major facilities while being informed of the programmes. Watch the video of him playing ball below: The current leadership of the UAE is widely recognized for its strong affinity for sports, with many senior figures actively participating in, excelling at, and promoting various athletic disciplines. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for instance, is a prominent figure in global football through his ownership of Manchester City Football Club. In 2023, he made a rare public appearance at the UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul, where he was seen in the VIP box proudly wearing a Manchester City scarf. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, is an avid martial arts enthusiast and a dedicated Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. He also played a key role in securing a multi-year partnership between Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism and the National Basketball Association (NBA), paving the way for the first-ever NBA games to be hosted in the Gulf region. Meanwhile, Dubai's Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, frequently uses social media to promote a range of sports through his own participation. Most recently, he shared a video on Instagram of himself horseback riding through the English countryside.
Khaleej Times
7 days ago
- Khaleej Times
How Dubai Police use sports, community events to cut crime, build trust
Dubai Police are leaning into community engagement as part of a wider effort to boost safety and reduce crime. Over the past three years, the force has hosted more than 900 events, bringing together residents from 37 nationalities through sports, cultural programmes, and educational workshops. It's all part of a unique initiative called 'Positive Spirit' which aims to foster trust, connection, and cooperation between police and the communities they serve. Launched in 2019, the initiative takes a 'soft force' approach to policing — using engagement and inclusion, rather than enforcement, to tackle crime at its roots. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Fatima Buhajeer, chairperson of the Positive Spirit Council, said the initiative is about more than events; it's about creating lasting bonds. 'By bringing people together, we create safer environments through trust, collaboration, and a shared sense of responsibility,' she told Khaleej Times during the 'Positive Spirit' press conference on Tuesday (July 15). Between 2022 and 2024, Positive Spirit organised 933 events, including 289 sports programmes, 241 community gatherings, and 292 workshops and lectures. More than 6,600 volunteers took part — helping to spread awareness about police services and strengthen neighbourhood ties. The initiative has grown into a key pillar of Dubai Police's preventive policing strategy. Rather than just reacting to crime, it focuses on preventing it by addressing factors like social isolation and mistrust in law enforcement. 'Our preventive strategy is not just about deploying officers, but empowering the community to be part of the safety system,' Buhajeer added. A safer Dubai The strategy appears to be working. According to Numbeo's 2025 global safety index, the UAE is now ranked the second safest country in the world, climbing from fourth place last year. Dubai Police also reported a 25 per cent drop in serious crimes in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Overall crime fell by nearly 50 per cent in 2023, pointing to the effectiveness of community-based programmes like Positive Spirit. Buhajeer explained how the initiative has helped build a more cohesive and secure society by encouraging positive behaviour, raising awareness about police services, and increasing community involvement in crime prevention. 'This is not just about promoting happiness, it's about creating safer communities by building trust and engagement between residents and the police,' Buhajeer said. Reaching every corner of the city One of the initiative's biggest successes is how it reaches segments of the population that don't typically engage with law enforcement — including seniors, children, and residents from diverse cultural backgrounds. By building those connections, officials say the programme has improved communication and reporting between communities and local police stations, especially in residential areas. 'We've seen stronger ties and greater trust, which translates into more cooperation and ultimately, a safer Dubai,' Buhajeer said. So far, Positive Spirit content has drawn nearly 18 million online views, and the initiative has been recognised with 15 awards, including one from the International Association of Chiefs of Police for excellence in community policing. According to the Council, public satisfaction with the initiative stands at 98.9 percent.
