Sign the letter below and add your name to the growing discontent.
In a letter to Sajid Javid, economic secretary to the treasury, fourteen “leaders from the voluntary sector” have told the government that the sector “stands ready” to implement government plans to privatise public services, cut benefits and entitlements and encourage volunteering as a … Continue reading
The winners and losers in the Transforming Local Infrastructure beauty contest have been announced. But is twisting yourself into a pretzel to please the government the best way to support local voluntary action? Here Adrian Barritt has a rant against the rise of the cyberstate….
Back in the 1970’s, the Cybermen with their sibilous metallic … Continue reading
Last friday, 2 February 2012, time was called on applications to the Government’s Social Action Fund. Branded on its prospectus as “….funding big ideas, inspiring social action” some thought maybe, just maybe, this might offer some welcome support to authentic local voluntary action. But Adrian Barritt of Adur Voluntary Action discovered it was a missed … Continue reading
Adur Voluntary Action has opted out of bids for the transforming local infrastructure fund. Adrian Barritt explains the practical and philosophical concerns that led to the decision
To me, infrastructure used to mean something military, or the foundations of a building – until I studied social science. Then I learned that … Continue reading
A few hackles seem to have been raised following an open meeting on 7 December 2010 to discuss the Big Society Show, convened by the Community Sector Coalition (CSC).
People at the meeting had the temerity to be openly critical of the government’s motives and intentions, and even discussed the need to resist them! About … Continue reading
Thursday 27 January 2011, 1.30pm to 5pm
Quaker Meeting House, 10 St James Street, Sheffield S1 2EW
Cuts, privatising public services, commissioning replacing grants, voluntary agencies being run like businesses, managers who don’t understand the front line work, nonsensical targets… If you’re feeling angry, you’re not alone!
At the last NCIA assembly we discussed … Continue reading
Here’s a new paper from NCIA member Adrian Barritt who highlights the fundamental choices that CVSs must make to respond to cuts and the Big Society Show. Adrian argues that joining up into bigger structures, which appears be the developing response, will undermine people’s ability to be locally rooted, self reliant, creative and flexible. The … Continue reading
Local authorities and other statutory agencies are damaging relationships with local voluntary and community sectors and undermining the independence of voluntary action, reveals a new report from the National Coalition for Independent Action (NCIA).
The report is based on interviews with 16 voluntary agencies in West Sussex conducted by NCIA working with Adur Voluntary Action, … Continue reading
NCIA has now heard back from all but one of the national bodies, in response to our open letter to them about the new Compact. These bodies speak on our behalf – or, in the case of Directory for Social Change, on matters that affect us. And how strange…..not a word from ACEVO. They are … Continue reading
The National Coalition for Independent Action today released an open letter to the Chief Executives of the five national bodies which have endorsed the revised National Compact, launched on December 16th. The full text of the letter reads:
“19/1/10
Dear Stephen, Debra, Stuart, Kevin and Justin,
We write this open letter to you, having been … Continue reading