VCSCurrent challenges, strange climates and

weatherproofing

Do you have branding

straplines?True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice

The time is always right to do what’s right.

Your birth is not your destiny

Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition

Narrative?Economic contribution yet vast economic inequality.

Social contribution but social inequality.

Cultural contribution (food, music, dance, drama).

Sporting contribution (Olympics, football, boxing etc).

Contribution to faith development.

Contribution to community development.

Young peopleRates of child poverty are particularly high among children of African (56%), Pakistani (60%) and Bangladeshi (72%) origin, compared with a rate of 25% for white children. (CRE 2007)

Unemployment for young people has risen 8% since March 08 and 13% for BME young people (IPPR 2011)

20% + of young people now unemployed - 48% Black African Caribbean, 31% Asian (IPPR 2011)

Ageing Against a backdrop of austerity and an ageing society, voluntary action is often seen as one solution to the increasing demand on care services.

Yes, if it moves from a narrow focus on ‘volunteering’ to looking at how community assets in their widest sense can be valued, developed and linked up. No, if it is seen simply as a free substitute for existing public services.

Nearly 4.9 million people aged 65 and over in England (58 per cent of that age group) take part in volunteering or civic engagement, and most social care is already delivered through voluntary action.

NCVO website

Poverty and welfare

Stigmatising those they are about to hit with cuts is seen as an essential part of securing wider political legitimacy for changes in spending.

Poverty remains entangled in false divisions between ‘deserving’ and ‘undeserving’

Around two-fifths of people from ethnic minorities live in low-income households, twice the rate for White people.  

20% for White people. 30% for Indians and Black Caribbeans. 50% for Black Africans. 60% for Pakistanis. 70% for Bangladeshis

Welfare, the dirtiest word in British politics? Chris Johnes, Oxfam http:/blogs.ncvo.org.uk/2013/08/15/welfare-chris-johnes/

Economy and jobsVCS –key role in helping people to become economically active

For every £ invested – creating jobs, providing services and attracting social capital via volunteering - £2 is recirculated through the regional economy .

Many charities have been excluded form the welfare to work programme and it has had other failings

Well managed volunteer programmes also essential – but cuts have made this less possible

NCVO website

Health is wealth?

HomelessnessHousing for young people is unaffordable

39% of St Mungo’s clients were from BME communities

housing benefit is paid to people on low income. BME communities are amongst those with the lowest incomes, often living in poor housing and with high unemployment rates.

Bedroom tax will have a negative impact.

We know that BME communities are more likely to become homeless.

Criminal Justice Stop and search

Representation

Custodial sentences

Prevention of re-offending (each prison place costs £40,000)

Policing

Political Context of VCS

Big Society and localism - nebulous concept; appeals to left & right of spectrum

English Localism Act 2011

Argues answers are local, community scale not with ‘big government’

Revival of ‘the local’ & policy interest in places/communities

Local decision-making, asset-ownership, mobilisation of VCS etc

Civil society as a ‘resource’ for the state in austere times

Dr Kim McKee, Centre for Housing Research, University of St Andrews

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Exacerbating Inequalities?

As Cruikshank (1999) argues strategies of empowerment are still technologies of governance

Localism may exacerbate social-spatial inequalities:

Communities do not speak with one voice

Nor are they all equally resourced nor empowered; nor operating at the same scale

Perspective on power that presupposes freedom

Some communities may be more able than others to articulate their needs and command resources:

Issues such as skills, education, capacity, experience are all relevant here

May disadvantage already low-income/deprived neighbourhoods

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Mobilization of community not new (history matters)

Policy discourses have differential impact in different places in different ways (geography important)

Localism is no guarantee of community empowerment

Devolution may exacerbate inequalities

Poses threats as well as opportunities for the VCS

Blurring boundaries between third and public sector; expected to fill the gap as the state retrenches with fewer resources

Important to consider broader context of welfare reform

Should not assume that all communities necessarily want to take control

May not be a demand for community ownership for example, where already receiving good service

Local and central government have statutory responsibilities

Activism or arm of the state? (NCIA)

‘De-coupling’ of voluntary agencies that provide services (often with state funding) to individuals and communities, from the rest – activists and community groups.

Commissioning is increasingly marketised and professionalised: around access to finance, capacity, risk management, and having the right technical (contracting and financial) skills.

Individuals and service

provision

Groups and communities

Systems and structures

Where would you place yourself and activism?

Check

Inward – branding, narrative, straplines, vision, aims, values, change strategies, organisation.

Technologies for communication

Outward – political context and your analysis and placement within that - service provision or activism?

Issues

IMPACTInnovation Integrity Inspiration Issues

Motivation Mavens Messages Messengers Media

Passion People Principles Product Politics

Action Aims Achievement Aspiration Analysis

Creative Concepts Change theory Connectors

Communication

Technology Teamwork