Schools are back and nursery has resumed – now, for us parents, carers, grandparents, it’s our turn. Please don’t stop learning – take up a hobby, a learning opportunity, paid work, or a volunteering position helping others.

There are loads of things going on we can all participate in to make our communities safer, more fun, more inspiring places to be, and people just like you are best placed to help shape the decisions to make it all happen.

You can become involved in many ways – by visiting your local councillor’s surgery to let us know your thoughts on how things are in your area. Go to local community meetings (notices are in local shops and libraries) or help out at a volunteering group, whether in retail, charity shops, book clubs or reading aloud for RNIB members, lunch clubs or care homes.

Volunteering can lead to paid employment and also gives you the opportunity to see if that’s the area you want to work in, and gives you a good reference for any paid position if it arises.

Read more: OPINION Mary Fee MSP: SNP promise to nursery kids set to fail

Volunteering is an amazing way to keep you active and assist others in the process.

My volunteering for this year includes being a board member on a community college where I help shape management outcomes to help students, as I once was, at Anniesland College in1992, studying Community Development before going on to university.

I will also sit on the Citizens Advice Bureau board, as it never ceases to amaze me the work of this organisation and the amount of people it assists – a truly, brilliant, free advice service.

As a West of Scotland Regional Equality Council WSREC board member I support and assist all the brilliant advocacy work they provide for all the different cultures that make up our communities.

Phew, that’s only a few of them but, if you need some suggestions or assistance on choosing, please do not hesitate to contact me at anne.mctaggart@glasgow.gov.uk