With the election looming, people across the country will be pondering the changes they would like to see to improve their lives.

Putting a cross in the box on May 6 is one way of making your voice heard – but this opportunity comes just once every four years.

For the rest of the time, we fight our own small battles, some in a pro-active way, others by putting the world to rights with their mates in the pub.

For those who fight proactively, there are some who take on issues affecting themselves as an individual, and others whose efforts have a global cause.

In Bradford, one group of people have been campaigning for change to help disadvantaged, vulnerable people across the world for the past 40 years.

From the privatisation of water companies, to apartheid, fair trade practices and – most vitally – climate change, Bradford World Development Group has given a local voice to these issues, and fought hard for its beliefs.

The group – which is part of the national World Development Movement – organises peaceful demonstrations and lobbies local and national government through various means, to make its point.

“It is important to give a voice to these issues,” says Ann Parkinson, who joined the group three years ago with her husband, Eric. “We lived in Zambia in the late 1960s and we could see the difference between our life and the way that others live, so we joined the World Development Group.

“There is such appalling inequality in the world – I’ve seen babies dying from a lack of nutrition, and children with no opportunity for an education.

“When I retired I decided I wanted to join the local group and take some action.”

Since joining, Ann has been involved in campaigns including that against the building of new coal-fired power stations.

Until carbon-capture and storage technology is more advanced, new coal-fired power stations will contribute to polluting the atmosphere and changing the climate. These changes impact upon the world’s poor.

“We demonstrated in the centre of Bradford as part of a campaign across the country, encouraging people to ask the Government to think again about building a new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth in Kent.

“We had a banner and gave out leaflets. We also joined local residents in a demonstration near Fairburn Ings Nature Reserve, near Leeds, against plans to open an open-cast coal mine.”

The power station plan has since been shelved, and the coal mine plan refused, although an appeal has been lodged.

Joint chairman of the group Jane Thewlis joined an environmental group, People And Planet, while a student at university. “It is similar to the World Development Group, so I’ve been active on and off since then,” she says. I really enjoy trying to make a difference and always look forward to meetings.”

With around 50 members, the group gets together once a month. Some members attend the annual general meeting of the national World Development Movement, held at different locations around the UK.

Most recently they took part in Fairtrade Fortnight, with a stall in central Bradford, and joined thousands of people for The Wave, a protest march ahead of the UN conference on climate change, drawing attention to the impact of climate change on the world’s poorest and most vulnerable communities. They also have a presence at annual events including Bradford Mela and Saltaire Festival.

David Somerville, who chairs the group with Jane, is a member with his wife, Mollie. He joined the national group at 19, and the Bradford group in 1974.

“Climate change is a big focus for us – it underpins many issues. We have written to local and national government about reducing carbon emissions. We lobby MEPs too.”

The group believes that hand-written letters have more clout than e-mails. “With the General Election coming up, we are going to write to all the candidates about how they stand on issues that are important to us, such as climate change and world trade.”

Says Jane: “You can achieve a lot as a small group.”

Ann adds: “I am encouraged to see that careful, peaceful lobbying and demonstrating can contribute to informing decisions made by local and national government.”

For more details or to join the group, contact David Somerville on (01274) 493131 or e-mail mollieanddavid@ phonecoop.coop or heathergrinter@hotmail.co.uk.For details of the World Development Movement, visit wdm.org.uk or ring 0800 3282153.