I like to support Mitzvah day in my constituency. For me the fun and value is in seeing different groups work together. Certainly in Northwood it is the buzz and energy of young people throwing themselves into doing something good for the community that lifts the spirits.
The values of the day feel very right and relevant. Most people have heard the Government wanting to support the building of a "Big Society". What does it mean? For me it is about wanting to bring people together more in a country where too many people feel isolated and disconnected. It is about connecting more of us with our own power to make a difference to the things we care about. It is about challenging us to think harder about our responsibilities to others and encouraging and supporting people who want to contribute more than their taxes.
One of our programmes which pulls all of these themes together is National Citizen Service. You may remember the posters during the election. The idea is to bring sixteen year olds together from different backgrounds on a residential course. They are challenged as a group through an outward bound experience and then encouraged to use what skills they already have in the community.
So for example cooking meals in a care home or running football training sessions for youngsters. Then they are encouraged to design and deliver their own community project; for example a campaign to deal with a traffic blackspot by the school. We know from pilots that young adults get a huge amount out of this, not least greater confidence in their own ability to make a contribution to society.
It is telling that 80 percent went on to offer time to a local charity. So we will be offering 10,000 places in 2011 and 35,000 in 2012.
The Big Society vision is a big culture change for many because arguably we have over time given away too much power and responsibility to Government. On that journey I feel we have lost something in terms of community vitality and belief in our own ability to make a difference. Not everywhere of course.
Indeed many people are at pains to point out to me that the Big Society is alive and well in their area with people working with each other and for each other. And yes millions of people give time as volunteers. I know from experience that they themselves get a great deal out of that process of giving and helping. And of course faith based networks need no lectures on the value of encouraging people to come together for common good.
However, we can do more and more may be needed as the State is forced to withdraw from doing certain things. Under those circumstances I think it is right to encourage and support people and organisations who want to roll their sleeves up and help others.
So, in encouraging people to work together for common good, Mitzvah day is a great example of Big Society in action. I wish everyone a very happy and successful day.
Nick Hurd, Member of Parliament for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner and Minister for Civil Society