By Lucy Berger The Spark That Starts It All
People sometimes ask me why I spend so much of my time helping with local projects around Wandsworth. The short answer? It makes me feel alive. The longer one starts last summer at the Wandsworth Arts Fringe, when I volunteered for the first time. That week opened my eyes to how powerful small acts of community work can be.
I grew up around Battersea, and back then, I didn’t think much about who organised the events I enjoyed. I just showed up. But once I was part of the crew setting up lights, moving chairs, and guiding people to performances, I realised how much passion sits behind the scenes. That experience lit a spark in me.
Now, a year later, I’ve noticed something fascinating: enthusiasm spreads. When one person starts showing up and caring, it nudges others to do the same. But getting people engaged isn’t just about telling them to volunteer — it’s about helping them feel the same excitement you do.
Here’s what I’ve learned about inspiring others to join in and how community work, especially here in Wandsworth, can turn neighbours into friends and streets into proper communities.
Step One – Make Volunteering Feel Personal
The first thing I noticed is that people respond better when volunteering feels close to home — when they can see the change right outside their door. You can talk all day about doing good, but nothing hits harder than seeing your own street looking better because of your effort.
A few months ago, I helped a group tidy up Tooting Common after a big weekend picnic crowd. There were families, students, and even a few runners who joined in spontaneously. We could actually see the transformation as we filled bags with litter and cleared pathways. Someone said, “It looks like our park again.” That kind of satisfaction is contagious.
Find Causes That Reflect Local Identity
Every borough has its own personality, and Wandsworth’s is full of creativity, greenery, and energy. The best community projects reflect that. People are more willing to join something that feels true to their area.
For example, Battersea thrives on its artistic streak, so it’s easy to draw volunteers for events like community murals or outdoor art installations. Down by the Thames Path, people love joining in clean-ups because they jog or walk there daily — they have a personal connection. In Clapham Junction, the local food bank gets regular support from commuters who drop by after work because it’s right near the station. When you tie projects to familiar places, people see themselves in them.
Use Stories Instead of Stats
I’ve learned that stories move people more than numbers ever do. Instead of saying, “We collected 20 bags of rubbish,” I might share a picture of a group laughing in muddy gloves after a clean-up. Or I’ll talk about the elderly gentleman who thanked us for clearing the pavement so he could use his mobility scooter again. Those little glimpses of real life stick in people’s minds.
Community work isn’t about grand speeches; it’s about conversations that make people think, I could do that too.
Step Two – Keep It Social, Keep It Fun
Let’s be honest — people love a good time. If volunteering feels like a chore, interest fades quickly. But when it’s social, relaxed, and a bit fun, the energy builds naturally.
Turn Tasks Into Gatherings
One of my favourite ideas is turning clean-ups or gardening projects into casual social events. A few of us started doing “Clean and Coffee” mornings at Wandsworth Park. We meet early, grab takeaway cups from a local café, spend an hour clearing up, and then chat on a bench overlooking the river. It doesn’t feel like work at all — more like catching up with friends while doing something useful.
When tasks have a friendly vibe, people are far more likely to show up again.
Share Progress Publicly
Another great motivator is showing off what’s been achieved. A quick post on a local Facebook group or WhatsApp chat with a before-and-after photo can do wonders. I once posted about our tidy-up day at King George’s Park, and by the following week, five new people turned up saying they’d seen it online.
Visibility matters. When residents see something positive happening nearby, it breaks that “someone else will do it” attitude. It shows that real people — their neighbours — are taking action.
Celebrate the Little Wins
We sometimes underestimate how good it feels to celebrate progress. Whether it’s hanging bunting after repainting a playground fence or clapping for the last bag of litter collected, those tiny moments matter.
At one project near Southside Shopping Centre, a local café offered free pastries to volunteers afterwards. It wasn’t a big deal, but it made everyone feel appreciated. Recognition keeps spirits high.
Step Three – Build a Network, Not Just an Event
If there’s one lesson I keep learning, it’s that community engagement isn’t about single events — it’s about building lasting connections. The magic happens when people stop being “participants” and start being a team.
Start With What You Have
The easiest way to begin is with your existing circles. I dragged two friends from my gym to a park clean-up once, and they’ve since joined other groups on their own. Small circles grow fast once people enjoy themselves.
Even a handful of committed neighbours can start something meaningful. I know a small Southfields group that meets monthly to keep local planters tidy and paint railings. They started with four people. Now, the group has over twenty and a local councillor occasionally drops by to lend a hand.
Collaborate With Local Businesses and Schools
Partnerships can breathe life into projects. Cafés might donate drinks, small shops can share notices, and schools often look for ways to involve students. It’s a win-win.
One of my favourite collaborations was between a sixth form and a nearby bakery in Battersea. The students helped repaint benches in a communal area, and the bakery rewarded them with a tray of fresh doughnuts. Everyone left smiling — and the benches looked brand new.
Keep It Inclusive
A community only works when everyone feels welcome. I’ve seen projects fail because they felt too cliquey or intimidating. So, it’s important to make space for everyone — families, older residents, people with disabilities, even those who’ve just moved into the area.
The best example I’ve seen is the Wandsworth Green Team, who hold open gardening sessions. You don’t need experience or tools; they provide everything. That openness keeps people coming back.
Step Four – Use Local Events as a Launchpad
Events already bring people together, which makes them perfect opportunities to spread awareness about community projects.
Piggyback on What Already Exists
Instead of creating new occasions, it helps to link up with existing Wandsworth events — the Arts Fringe, the Battersea Park Run, or the Tooting Foodival. These events already have crowds and excitement; all you need to do is tap into that energy.
Last year, a few of us handed out flyers for a river clean-up at the Arts Fringe. We didn’t pressure anyone — we just chatted about what we were doing. A week later, a couple of people turned up saying they remembered our smiles more than our leaflets.
Make Volunteering Visible
Visibility makes volunteering feel normal. Wearing matching T-shirts, setting up an info stand, or giving a quick shout-out during an event helps show people what’s happening. It’s not about bragging; it’s about letting others see that community work is open, friendly, and worth joining.
Keep Momentum After the Event
The biggest mistake is letting energy fizzle out. Always follow up. Whether it’s an email, a WhatsApp group, or a casual meet-up, keeping in touch helps people feel involved. After one clean-up, we invited everyone to vote on our next location — the engagement doubled. People love having a say.
Step Five – Turn Goodwill Into Habit
The real success of community work isn’t measured in one-off efforts but in how it becomes part of everyday life.
Make It Manageable
Not everyone can give hours each week, and that’s fine. Small, regular actions matter more than big bursts of effort. Even picking up a few bits of litter during your morning walk or checking in on an elderly neighbour once a week adds up.
When commitments feel realistic, people stay involved longer. I tell friends: you don’t need to do everything — just something.
Encourage Ownership
Ownership is the glue that keeps a group together. When people feel it’s their project, they take pride in it. Giving small roles helps — someone in charge of tools, another of social posts, someone else keeping the snacks coming.
We even gave ourselves a name: Team Tooting. It sounds a bit silly, but it gave us an identity. Suddenly, everyone was saying, “When’s the next Team Tooting clean-up?” It stuck.
Keep Sharing the Why
People forget why they started unless they’re reminded of the impact. I like to point out small victories — how much nicer the park looks, or how new faces are joining each time. It keeps morale high and shows that the work truly matters.
Looking Ahead – My Plans for Wandsworth
I’m more convinced than ever that community spirit is built from everyday people saying yes to helping out. As for me, I’ve got a few plans brewing.
I’m hoping to launch a “Clean & Chat” morning at Wandsworth Park — a mix of litter-picking and friendly conversation. I’m talking with a local café about providing discounted drinks for volunteers. There’s also talk of creating an online page where people can suggest local improvement ideas, from repainting fences to planting new trees.
What excites me most is seeing how Wandsworth lights up when people get involved. I’ve watched strangers become friends, and ordinary streets turn vibrant because someone cared enough to start something.
If everyone gave just a little of their time — an hour, a morning, even a smile — we’d be amazed at how much brighter our borough could look. It’s not about perfection or planning big. It’s about showing up, side by side, and remembering that our community is something we all build together.