As analysis of the riots replaces knee-jerk condemnation of young people, Bernard Davies reflects on NCIA’s research about voluntary sector youth work.
Four case studies show how local organisations are striving to continue community-based youth work despite pressure to deliver the latest policy initiative or be subservient to contractors.
The case studies show how government … Continue reading
NCIA needs your input for a new project on resourcing voluntary action. In the face of cuts, inappropriate government policies and increased competition how do people find the resources to keep going with activities that help us enjoy each others’ company and join in activities – whether simple conviviality, leisure, solidarity and assistance, personal or … Continue reading
Read the latest NCIA news of heroism, opposition and good solid thinking about the role of voluntary and community action in our world (plus some gossip, inside info and random interests)…
If you have a story for the next newsletter, please email Andy Benson at andy@independentaction.net… Continue reading
Come along to the Aston-Mansfield conference on Tuesday 27 September if you want to hear NCIA folks and others get to grips with the urgent need for independent action.
Times are undoubtedly tough. Voluntary groups and community organisations are facing the most severe threat to the long-term sustainability of independent voluntary action in recent memory. … Continue reading
Sarah Lamb, trustee of Adur Voluntary Action and a lifelong volunteer, explains why the Transforming Local Infrastructure scheme won’t work
The beauty of the voluntary sector has been, and still is in many instances, precisely the fact that the solutions it finds, the ways it relates to the people it serves and the people it … Continue reading
John Seddon reflects on how a systems thinking method has improved public services but is now under threat from cuts, commissioning and ‘big society’ as the government fails to move beyond central control and large-scale initiatives.
David Cameron described the ‘big society’ as a ‘culture change’, where people are free and powerful enough to help … Continue reading
Following the riots in the UK this week, many people in the voluntary and community sector are asking where we go from here. If you feel the need of thoughtful questions, messages of solidarity and some analysis of how we are thinking and talking about the riots, see the discussion ‘Wasn’t it inevitable’ on the … Continue reading
Our new paper has evidence about the dangers of commissioning, localism and ‘big society’, all part of the government’s privatisation agenda.
• Public service cuts are a political choice, not an inevitability.
• Creating competitive markets in the voluntary sector through commissioning damages services, users and staff and threatens independence.
• ‘Localism’ and ‘big society’ … Continue reading
Read our two new papers if you want to get thinking about what privatisation means for charities and community groups and how the ‘big society’ and localism damage independent action.
Big market: how localism and the ‘big society’ damage independent voluntary action (2011) PDF, 4 pages
Voluntary action under threat: what privatisation means for charities … Continue reading
These days everyone wants their own merry band of community organisers, but if you want to connect with others in the world of real community development and independent action rather than the latest corporate initiative or ‘big society’ nonsense, come along to the meeting and workshops on Monday 28 March 2011, 9.00 am – 1.00 … Continue reading