"In 2012, I will get fit, learn something new and give some time to others."

Sound familiar? If you’re looking to make some new year’s resolutions, let us help you.

Whether you’re looking to do some good work for charity, learn a new dance craze or make do and mend, check out our suggestions below.

Do your bit & help others

Green fingers
Get outside and do your bit while helping to conserve the environment with BCTV. You could be helping to improve local areas including Baynes Street Canal Side Garden, Euston Garden or Oakley Square Gardens. With projects all over Camden, find out your nearest project on their website.
btcv.org.uk

Give your time
Whether you’re looking to volunteer to gain new skills, do something new or meet new people, Volunteer Centre Camden has a wide range of opportunities available across the borough.
volunteercentrecamden.org.uk

Welcome the world to Camden
Couldn’t get into the Olympic swimming team? Play your part in the Olympics 2012 by welcoming the world to Camden. Camden Council is looking for people to welcome the thousands of visitors to Camden next summer. If you’d like to help out at events like the torch relay or hand out information on local attractions and events get in touch.
Camden.gov.uk/welcometheworld

Learn some new moves & get fit
 

Doing the Camden Clog
17 January 6.45pm
Want to learn something completely new? Cecil Sharp House is running workshops every Tuesday on Lancashire Clog Dancing suitable for all levels. Help keep the great northern/British tradition of clog dancing alive and kicking in the south.
Tickets £4 (£3 concessions)
More info 020 8889 8087
efdss.org/events

Body moving, body grooving
Bust a groove at the Basement Dance studio on York Way. Whether you’re into ‘locking and popping’, tribal fusion belly dancing or Afro Cuban, check out the wide range of courses available.
020 7700 7722
Basement Dance studio, 400 York Way, London, N7 9LR
info@jumpanddance.com
jumpanddance.com/timetable.htm

Express yourself
Find your rhythm at Expressions Studio in Kentish Town. Courses available in the New Year include ballet, strictly come ballroom and karate to name but a few. Most classes are drop in which means you can just turn up on the day and join in the fun.
Linton House, 39-51 Highgate Road, Kentish Town, London, NW5 1RT
expressionsstudios.org.uk/index.php

Live wisely and live well

School of life
School of Life on Marchmont Street run a variety of classes on how to live wisely and well. The school is the ideal place to step back and think intelligently about questions you may have regarding work, relationships or life in general. Book a ticket and find out more about The Six Varieties of Love, How to have Better Conversations, How to Find a job you love and the history of beating the bulge
70 Marchmont Street, London, WC1N 1AB
theschooloflife.com/

Mary Ward
Mary Ward’s declared aim in setting up her centre in the 19th century was to promote ‘equalisation’ in society and the building was soon crammed with local residents enjoying ‘the hundred pleasures and opportunities that fall mainly to the rich’.  Today there are still hundreds of courses available including ones in January such as world archaeology, tai chi, creative writing, printing, zumba and mosaic.
42 Queen Square, WC1N 3AQ and 10 Great Turnstile, WC1V 7JU.
marywardcentre.ac.uk/index.asp

City Lit
With more courses than you could ever dream of, City Lit is bound to have a course that takes your fancy. Still available in January, at the time of writing, includes travel journalism, aromatherapy, making the most of your sleep, creative bead jewellery.
City Lit, Keeley Street, Covent Garden, London
citylit.ac.uk/

Get crafty

Camden Arts Centre
Let your creativity flow at the Camden Arts Centre. There are adult courses for everyone over the age of 18 to practice in creative sessions led by a team of practicing artists. Courses include ceramics, drawing and painting skills.
camdenartscentre.org/courses

Shop, Drink & Do
Unleash your inner vintage artist at shop, drink do. Choose from Paper Mache Monster Night (who remembers how fun this was at school), Knitnight (start on some gift for next Christmas) and for those looking for a new look, ‘pin-up’ vintage hair and make up evenings.
9 Caledonian Road, London, UK
Drinkshopdo.com

The Oak Studio
The Oak Studio is a hub of arts, crafts and creativity located in Hampstead. Be inspired by their craft workshops including ‘you can uke! ukulele for beginners’, ‘make do & mend: survival sewing!’, ‘creative writing: release and develop the writer within’ and ‘make a vintage plate cake stand.
Oak Studio, 8 Perrins Court, Hampstead, London, NW3 1QS
theoakstudio.com/

Recycle and reuse
 

Swishing
The definition of swishing is to rustle clothes from friends.  The idea is to bring nice, clean, presentable clothes that are lurking unloved in your wardrobe, and for other women to fall in love with them and give them a good home. You might bring one sweater and take two pairs of shoes, or hang a party frock on the ‘Swishing Rail’ and take a pair of skinny jeans and feather boa.
You can either attend a swishing party or create your own. For more information visit swishing.com/home/

Freecycle
If you have an item that you no longer want or need such as a table, chair or even a flower pot, why not post it on freecycle. Freecycle is an internet re-giving network with three groups in Camden: Kentish Town; South Camden and Hampstead. It provides an online forum to offer things, large or small, that are no longer wanted or needed. For more information visit freecycle.org/group/UK/London
 

Let us know your New Year's resolutions by leaving a message below.