As District Officer for Lions Clubs International District 105SE, Councillor Rags Sandhu visited the Lions Clubs International Head Office in Birmingham in August 2023. The visit provided an opportunity to coordinate national initiatives, discuss strategic priorities for the district, and strengthen the connection between local Lions clubs and the international organisation's mission.
What Is the Lions Clubs International Head Office in Birmingham?
The Lions Clubs International office in Birmingham serves as the headquarters for Lions operations across the British Isles and Ireland, known as Multiple District 105. The office coordinates the activities of over 600 clubs and approximately 12,000 members across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. It is the administrative and logistical hub for one of the world's largest volunteer service organisations, which globally has more than 1.4 million members in over 200 countries.
The Birmingham office handles everything from membership records and training programmes to the coordination of national campaigns such as the spectacle recycling initiative, through which Lions collect and redistribute unwanted glasses to people in developing countries. Since the programme began, Lions in the British Isles have recycled over 6 million pairs of spectacles.
Why Did Councillor Rags Sandhu Visit Head Office?
As a District Officer for District 105SE — which covers the south-east of England including the London Borough of Bexley — my visit to Head Office was part of the regular engagement between district leadership and the national organisation. District Officers attend Head Office to review district performance, align local activities with national priorities, and access resources that support club-level operations.
During my visit, I discussed key initiatives relevant to Bexleyheath Ward and the wider London Borough of Bexley, including the expansion of our community service projects and strategies for growing membership among younger demographics. District 105SE currently comprises over 80 clubs, and strengthening each one is essential to maintaining the impact we have in local communities.
How Does International Coordination Benefit Local Communities?
One of the great strengths of Lions Clubs International is its ability to connect local action with global resources. The visit to Birmingham reinforced how national coordination directly benefits communities like Bexleyheath Ward. Training materials developed at Head Office help local volunteers deliver more effective service. Fundraising campaigns coordinated nationally amplify what individual clubs can achieve. And the international network provides a framework for responding to crises — both local and global — with speed and efficiency.
In the London Borough of Bexley, this international connection translates into tangible outcomes. The vision screening equipment used in local schools was sourced through Lions' international procurement network. The food bank support our club provides is enhanced by best practices shared across the national organisation. Over 85% of funds raised by local Lions clubs are spent directly in their own communities, ensuring that the international structure serves local needs.
What Are the Priorities for District 105SE?
My priorities as both a councillor for Bexleyheath Ward and a Lions District Officer are closely aligned. Both roles are about serving the community, identifying needs, and mobilising resources to address them. Following my visit to Head Office, I returned to the London Borough of Bexley with renewed focus on expanding our youth programmes, increasing the reach of our vision screening projects, and recruiting new volunteers who share our commitment to service.
You can learn more about my background and community work on the about page. If you are interested in Lions Clubs International, volunteering in your community, or learning more about the charitable work we do across the London Borough of Bexley, please get in touch. Lions serve — and there is always room for more hands and hearts.