More...
Judy Smith is the representative for communities and groups in the South East of Borough. As a community volunteer for over 20 years she has wide experience of the area, including health, education, community provision, leisure, libraries, the environment and community safety. She particularly wants to ensure that everyone in the area understands their voice and views can be heard through Greenwich Community Network.
How did you first get involved in the network?
It was very much a natural progression from the work I have been doing in the South over the past 23 years. When the idea of the network was first raised, I immediately saw its potential as a means to community empowerment and I put myself forward for election.
What are the main interests in your work?
The work I do covers all issues that affect those who live in South Greenwich and, to a larger extent, Greenwich on the whole.
What groups or official bodies are you involved with?
I am Trustee of three local voluntary sector groups supporting the young, the old and volunteering and community buildings. However, it is as Secretary for the South Greenwich forum, the umbrella information exchange in the south, that I can spread the word of the community network.
Recent highlights
Although I have had many successes with the groups I am involved in, my main highlight recently has been the engagement we have had with the wider community and voluntary sector at the community conferences. Through these conferences, I have been able to take the community's voice forward to the Greenwich Partnership Board. This ensures the opinions of local people are heard and considered at the highest level.
With so much good work already done, what are you looking forward to in the future?
The coming year promises to be as busy as the last, but as ever I relish the challenges it will bring. Specifically, I hope we will be building on the successes of recent community conferences, ensuring the community understand and feel involved with the Local Area Agreement. It is important we continue to get local people actively interested, as they can provide a crucial insight at grass roots level into what is best for the borough.
Finally, what role do you feel the Greenwich Community Network can play in Greenwich?
The Network provides a vital link between the people of the borough and the Greenwich Partnership Board. Through GCN we can give a voice to the people and ensure community interests are at the centre of all policy in Greenwich.