Compact Voice continues its happy-clappy approach to the disaster that is the Compact in welcoming the National Audit Office report on its (non) implementation in central government. “We are delighted that the Compact is supported by government departments and that the NAO have found good examples of it being applied” says Compact Voice’s Simon Blake, … Continue reading
For nearly two decades we have been told that ‘partnership’ is the way forward, bringing us all together in ‘one big happy family’. But is partnership working really a confidence trick, confirming and exploiting unequal power relationships? Here Professor Jonathan Davies of De Montfort University outlines the arguments and trails his recent book which locates … Continue reading
Read the latest news from the dark side of voluntary action, along with stories of how people are fighting back and what NCIA folks have been doing to make a louder noise about resisting privatisation, hanging on to our principles in turbulent times, and making space for independent action in our communities. Let us know … Continue reading
Calling all Unite members! There is a free training course on 20 – 22 February for activists and youth workers in community groups and voluntary organisations.
‘Working together to fight the cuts’ runs from midday Monday 20 February to midday Wednesday 22 February 2012. The course covers:
Occupy community groups and public services: a discussion to find a new space for community and voluntary action.
Tuesday December 13th 2pm to 4pm, Room 1.05, The Bank of Ideas, 29 Sun Street (near Liverpool Street station), London EC2M 2PS. Occupy London’s Bank of Ideas is a community occupation of an abandoned office … Continue reading
On 22 November, in his final address to a NAVCA conference, Kevin Curley asserted his belief that the work of infrastructure organisations should not be values neutral. He said: “I was dismayed when Turning Point and Catch 22 – two great national charities – formed a consortium with Serco to build and run two new … Continue reading
NatCAN invites you to take part in three webinars on supporting local groups and activists. See this link for more information: http://bit.ly/ruRlL3
Webinar 1: What is and isn’t working to help support local groups and individuals have a say?
Thursday 1 December at 7.30 pm
Matt Scott, Nick Beddow and Maxine Moar are on … Continue reading
NCIA is joining others to challenge the ‘big society’ view that we are ‘all in it together’ at a free conference in Manchester on 1 December 2011.
Come along if you’re an activist or part of a community group or small voluntary organisation in the north of England. See the programme or book your free … Continue reading
Vera Martins, Director of Manchester-based young people’s support agency 42nd Street, has announced in her organisation’s 2011 annual report that she believes ‘if there is to be genuine positive change where we don’t simply buy into the existing rhetoric, organisations need to raise their heads above the parapet – neutrality is no longer an option.’… Continue reading
The In Defence of Youth Work campaign has published ‘This is Youth Work’, a collection of case studies about youth work practice, as part of its attempts to highlight key characteristics of the work that are being undermined. The report says that youth work should be ‘founded on a voluntary engagement with young people in … Continue reading