Your Call began on a very windy day in November 2011. That day, I met with dozens of volunteers on Roe Lee Park who had put themselves forward to make their area a better place, writes Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Kate Hollern.

I was amazed, despite the weather, how many people came out to support their community.

Since then, hundreds have heard the call, come forward and fought for their borough.

The last few years have been extremely tough for local authorities and the residents they serve. The economic troubles have also meant families here are feeling the pinch.

The tough times are set to continue and the Council is having to make further painful cuts over the next two years. It’s not all doom and gloom though.

The cuts mean that Council services have changed forever. But we have always been clear that what matters to you matters to us.

And one of the things you have told us that you want to play their part.

That’s why we started Your Call. Our pledge is to support you in what you want to do to improve their areas, whether it is loaning out free equipment for litter picks or hedge trimmers to cut overgrown grass to supporting residents to tackle dog fouling in their neighbourhood.

Your Call is also a plea for everyone to do their part to make Blackburn with Darwen the best it can be. Everyone can help, even in small ways. Thinking twice about dropping litter which costs money to clear up or making a commitment to support our businesses in our towns by shopping local all helps.

Knocking on an elderly neighbour’s door to make sure they are warm enough over winter or getting a spade out and clearing the snow are other examples.

The work residents have been doing has been recognised on a national stage. The campaign was named Community Initiative of the Year at the UK Public Sector Awards – a fantastic accolade for everyone who has been involved.

I am sure Your Call will continue to keep building and more and more will flock to the cause.

I really believe that if everyone in the borough works and fights together, we can still make the borough a great place despite the tough times.