Big Soc

I see Dave has been plugging away about his "Big Society" concept again at the Tory conference this week. I have to admire his determination to keep flogging this particular dead horse. For those of us that work in the Charity and Community sector (or "Civil Society", as we now called), there has been a long-held cynicism about the whole "Big Society" concept. Early on in the coalition administration I was sent this:

...along with the caption, "Can you tell what it is, yet?!"

Which pretty much sums it up. No one, least of all most Tories, seem ever so clear on what it all actually means. Every couple of months, I go to Westminster to attend meetings of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Volunteering and Civil Society. Attendance from MPs is not great, and attendance by the Tories themselves particularly low.

I asked one Conservative MP what exactly Big Society is. He checked my name badge, and seeing that I work in the community sector said, "Well - it's people and groups like you. Doing things." Very helpful.

"How will it be funded?" I asked him.

"Well, that's the point. It's free."

*Sigh*. 


The view seems to be that somehow whole armies of volunteers and community-spirited people are going to rise up and deliver services totally free of charge with little or no resourcing, and that the wealthy and private companies are going to donate mountains of money and professional time out of the kindness of their hearts to good causes, rather than having to contribute through a fair and efficient tax system. Good quality voluntary services and community projects need resourcing and support. They are not just a way of making up for cut public services. 

The "Big Society" is just not happening, Dave.

• Only 39% of people volunteered last year - a 10 year low (Daily Telegraph, 23/09/11)
• Only one third of people took part in a civic event (Daily Telegraph, 23/09/11)
• Liverpool City Council, a flagship pilot authority for the Big Society, withdrew from the scheme in February. "I'm not going to pretend the Big Society is going to deliver," said the Council Leader
• The Prince's Trust - a flagship organisation for the National Citizens Service for young people - withdrew from the scheme to focus on "the high levels of youth unemployment" (Third Sector Magazine, 20/09/11)
• The top 100 donors gave 33% LESS this year (UK Fundraising Magazine, 06/05/11)
• Donations to charities were down by £70 million this year (Public Service, 08/07/11)

What so many of us that work in community services are upset about is the way that the "Big Society" announcements have almost sounded as though no grassroots work was happening anyway. The fact is, communities have longed pulled together, often aided and organised by community infrastructure organisations - and it is those very services that are now facing cuts, and some are closing for good. 

Pinhoe has many diverse, vibrant, and active community groups, clubs, and charities; and already has community spirit in bucket-loads! Labour councillor Moira MacDonald recently worked alongside staff from the local building firm Seddon to clear, repair and paint the children's play area at the Arena Park. 

Councillors, local businesses, and volunteers working together for the good of the community. It's not a fad, or a policy, or a soundbite. It's a way of being. It's a genuine sense of social responsibility and pride in our neighbourhood. And - I have to say it - it's been what Labour has been about for generations.


You can keep your Big Society, Dave. I'll stick with an authentic sense of community, thanks - not a badged, branded gimmick that everyone - your own backbenchers included - can see through.