When I moved to the area, I thought it would be fun to get involved with my local Labour Party.  I wrote to a number of councillors offering to help wherever I could, and mentioned that I had a background in fundraising and events management. After a few weeks, I still hadn’t heard back and decided to approach my local MP, explaining that I had approached some councillors to offer help but hadn’t heard back.  Once again weeks went by and I hadn’t heard anything.  I became very frustrated because I knew that I had the skills to help, but no one had contacted me.  I became disillusioned and stopped trying.  It was only through a chance encounter with work that I met someone from the Party who listened to the story and put me in contact with some people in the area.