North London Cares is one!

Please note: this post is 150 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only

Today is a really special day for North London Cares: it's our first birthday!

It's hard to believe that, a full year ago, in the face of rioting, a few of us published a nascent website -- to encourage people to get out onto the streets and show that young London cares about our communities; that people from all walks of life have a positive contribution to make in their neighbourhoods.

A year on, and we've built up a growing army of volunteers -- young people in Islington, Camden, Hackney and Haringey who are rolling up their sleeves to support their neighbours in loads of ways every day with a little extra help, time and companionship.

Sometimes that help can come in the simplest of forms: our volunteers have escorted older people to the doctor or to the cafe to get out of the house; they've helped out with shopping and household chores; they've cleared gardens that had gone unattended for years.

Other times, enthusiastic participants have built remarkable projects: bringing together local businesses, schools, leisure centres, football clubs and authorities to co-host a memorable free street party with 300 people from an Islington estate, with music, dancing, games and prizes.

And volunteers have created weekly social nights which bring people together from across communities to help support our older neighbours and provide much-needed respite -- and a few giggles along the way.

This has happened because young people in north London really do care about their neighbours. North London Cares is tapping into that spirit.

Today, North London Cares publishes our brand new website. The new site will make it easier for people to sign up to get involved, to help us build various exciting new projects.

And it will better celebrate the work that you, our amazing volunteers, are doing to help support our older and more isolated neighbours in need.

Over the past few weeks the Olympics have reminded us all that volunteering can have a massive impact on our communities' wellbeing.

Please sign up today to participate in your community, by entering your name, phone number and email address

Thank you.