Category Archives: voluntary sector

Charities have a role in public services, but not as surrogate businesses

An urgent review of this model of public service delivery is needed, argue David Walker and John Tizard. The landscape of the UK and in particular England’s public services has changed dramatically over the past few decades. It has been changed by the growth in outsourcing to the business sector and, to a lesser extent,… Read More...

Reach out for long-term relationships

When I speak to leaders and activists from the local voluntary and community sector (VCS), I am increasingly struck by the similarity of questions and concerns they are raising. Many of them relate to local government and the localist agenda.Of course, there are the inevitable (and justified) concerns about the lack of sufficient funding and… Read More...

Is It Time For Trade Unions, Charities And The VCS To Find Common Cause?

Today’s landmark judgement by the Supreme Court on the Government’s unlawful imposition of fees for access to Employment Tribunals represents a huge victory for fairness, justice and rights for employees. It also demonstrates the value and importance of effective trade unions – in this case Unison, which deserves massive congratulations and thanks for this long… Read More...

Public sector procurers must respect the voluntary and community sector, or it will not be there for them when they need it

This week, New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) will warn that charities believe their relationship with the state is increasingly dysfunctional, with many of those charities most dependent on public service contracts now seriously struggling. In a report to be published on Wednesday, NPC will report the alarming news that “nearly two-thirds of charities say they have… Read More...

Economic growth unsustainable without strong local charities

Reading the recently published House of Lords Select Committee report on charities (‘Strong Charities for a Stronger Society’ – http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/john-tizard/house-of-lords_b_15708240.html) and recent New Start articles on regeneration, social and economic investment and localism, I have been struck by the correlation between them. It is increasingly accepted that economic regeneration and growth must not only be… Read More...

Charities Should Pick Up The House Of Lords’ Baton

The House of Lords Select report entitled “Stronger Charities for a Stronger Society”, which was published earlier this week, provides a huge opportunity for the charity and voluntary and community sector (VCS). Thankfully this appears to have been recognised by the national sector bodies, including NCVO, NAVCA and ACEVO; and, from what I have observed,… Read More...

Charities And The VCS Should Get Back To Basics – Pressing Their Case Fearlessly Not Impersonating Outsourcers

One of the attributes that separates charities and the voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations from other sectors is that they are driven primarily by their mission – by their cause. Indeed, many were founded by individuals, with a passion for a specific cause: wanting to address social, economic and environmental wrongs; wishing to create… Read More...

Reach out to volunteers

Local authority leaders should foster and develop strong relations with the local voluntary and community sector and view its member organisations and their staff, volunteers and supporters, as natural allies, writes John Tizard. As former vice-chair of the National Association of Voluntary Community Action, I hear too many reports about local authorities failing to connect… Read More...

John Tizard: Procuring from the VCSE is different from procuring from major corporates

How often do I hear from voluntary and community organisations and small social enterprises (VCSE) that they are scarred and damaged by incredibly bureaucratic public procurement processes? The short answer is “far too often”! I find this both disappointing and frustrating. The position has with a few honourable exceptions changed very little over the last… Read More...

For The Sake Of Places And Communities Local Government And VCS Must Be Together

The last few years have not been easy for either local government or the voluntary and commumity sector (VCS). And it is not going to get any better for quite some time. Government continues committed to austerity and cutting local government funding. Brexit will leave social and economic scares. Social cohesion is threatened in a… Read More...