Helen Grant MP Our woman in Westminster

Every year about one third of our population do something for nothing. That’s 20m people giving 100m hours of their time every week. It’s a never-ending good news story and this week is UK volunteer week. In my role as a family and domestic violence solicitor for 23 years, and more recently as an MP, I have worked with people from voluntary organisations far and wide. Their enthusiasm and selflessness is an inspiration and I am pleased to say volunteering is alive and well in this area. I recently visited Young Kent and learned about their juice and smoothie making courses (www. kentyouth.org). The Princess Project’s baby goods exchange, Totcycle is equally innovative – (www.princessproject.co.uk), as is the Blackthorn Trust’s tranquil garden in Barming, where people with mental or physical health difficulties or learning disabilities can receive therapy through work (www.blackthorn.org.uk). Being honorary vice-president, Maidstone Mencap Trust is particularly close to my heart. If you want to get involved in helping people with learning disabilities go here (www. mencap.org.uk/get-involved). I also serve as patron of the Maidstone branch of Tomorrow’s People, set up to break the cycle of intergenerational unemployment, building self-confidence for long term employment prospects (www. tomorrows-people.org.uk). At the centre of many local activities is Voluntary Action Maidstone (www.vam-online.org.uk), offering services to enhance quality of life and I had the pleasure of opening their conference recently. The national website www. volunteering.org.uk offers a very broad horizon for ideas about how to get involved – becoming a magistrate, protecting England’s natural heritage – the opportunities are endless.