What is citizenship?
Citizenship is all about being an A person who participates in citizenship and helping others in their community. and getting involved as a member of a A group of people that live in the same place or have something in common..
A A person who lives in a place and participates as a member of the community. is someone who lives in a particular area or someone who belongs to a country.
Watch - Citizenship in the community
Learn more about being a responsible and active citizen in the community.
VOICEOVER: What does it actually mean to be a 鈥榗itizen鈥?
CHILD 1: A citizen is about being apart being a part of your community playing an active role in your area.
CHILD 2: It鈥檚 someone who cares about people鈥檚 rights.
CHILD 3: It鈥檚 when you鈥檙e part of a community somewhere.
CHILD 4: Someone who helps their community.
CHILD 5: To be a citizen is to actively use your rights as a citizen and to come together as a community, and support other communities. Such as your school community.
VOICEOVER: Being a responsible and active citizen means getting involved in things that affect your community - locally, nationally or even globally! It鈥檚 thinking about how your actions might affect someone else; speaking up for others that might need help, and respecting other people鈥檚 views, even if they aren鈥檛 the same as yours. What are some other ways we can be responsible and active citizens?
CHILD 4: By picking up litter, saving energy, helping others who are in need.
CHILD 5: By using our rules and using them to protect our community, and respect other people.
CHILD 3: Joining like, groups, to help animals and change things about like, the environment.
CHILD 1: We can be better citizens by being aware of the issues and needs in the places we live in.
VOICEOVER: There are people all over the world who take care of their community. Different charities, volunteer groups and community groups are also about doing this kind of thing. What could you do to be a responsible and active citizen in your community?
Citizens often do things to take part and make positive changes in their local A group of people that live in the same place or have something in common., such as volunteering or raising awareness of an important issue.
We can all be active and responsible citizens by working together with others or being someone who listens and cares.
Being an active citizen
We all have qualities and skills that can help us be active and responsible citizens.
This could be our ability to listen to others and be respectful to those around us.
With skills such as these, anyone can make a difference in their community.
How can I participate in citizenship?
Participating in citizenship is all about knowing that your actions can affect yourself and others.
There are so many different ways to participate in citizenship and make positive changes.
Image caption, Debate and discuss ideas
Why not take part in a debate club? You can discuss issues, talk about ideas and listen to different people鈥檚 opinions.
1 of 6
Did you know?
Dual citizenship (also known as dual nationality) is allowed in the United Kingdom.
This means you can be a British citizen and also a citizen of other countries.
National and global citizenship
Groups of individuals who choose to work or help because they want to. They are not paid for the work they do. and Organisations that provide help to others and raise money for those in need. and are groups that actively help others.
These groups don鈥檛 just help people in their local community, they also support people nationally and globally.
They help by collecting donations and by raising awareness of different issues by sharing information.
Even one small action, such as learning about an issue you care about and raising awareness of it, this could make a difference.
No matter the issue, we can all be active and responsible citizens and support communities everywhere.
Key features of citizenship
- Obeying the law 鈥 By following the rules and Laws are rules which affect the whole country. They are enforceable and punishable if broken. we have in the community, you are helping to keep people safe.
- Respecting Human Rights - Human rights are the basic freedoms and privileges that belong to all humans. protect us and make sure everyone is treated equally and with respect.
- Being democratic - The UK is a Democracy means 鈥渞ule by the people. In England everyone over the age of 18 is able to vote for leaders who will represent their views.
Activities
A world without citizenship
Imagine a world where citizens aren鈥檛 responsible or active.
What would your community be like?
- Click on the image below and read through the information and questions on the sheet.
- Take a piece of paper and a pen and note down your answers.
Write a persuasive speech
- Click on the image below to download an information sheet on writing a persuasive speech.
- Use the information to prepare a speech about something in your community that is important to you.
It could be about the use of plastic in your school, littering in your local park or any other issue you can think of!
Quiz
Bitesize Primary games. game
Play fun and educational primary games in science, maths, English, history, geography, art, computing and modern languages.
More on Citizenship in the community
Find out more by working through a topic
- count2 of 4
- count3 of 4
- count4 of 4
