The government published a discussion paper setting out its commitment to promote the culture of volunteering and giving, including a pilot scheme to support volunteering gap years for young people from disadvantaged communities.
Source: Next Steps on Volunteering and Giving in the UK: A Discussion Document, HM Treasury (020 7270 4558) and Home Office
Links: Report (pdf) | Treasury press release
Date: 2002-Dec
The government announced that funding increases for specialist palliative care services will be allocated by a national partnership group, including representatives from all levels of the National Health Service and a wide range of voluntary sector organisations. The group will assess and approve care plans prepared by local health communities and their voluntary sector partners.
Source: Press release 23.12.02, Department of Health (020 7210 4850)
Links: DH press release
Date: 2002-Dec
A report said the role of the voluntary sector in Wales can be strengthened within health trusts and primary and intermediary care, particularly in helping to address the health of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, public participation, volunteering, and in developing community health and well being.
Source: Building Strong Bridges: Strengthening partnership working between the voluntary sector and the NHS in Wales, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2080 1118)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
Date: 2002-Nov
A report argued that voluntary and community sector organisations have a crucial role to play in urban renaissance; called for a fuller understanding of their role in the development and delivery of urban policy; and said that a more fully resourced strategy is needed to maximise their contribution.
Source: Putting People at the Heart of the Urban Renaissance, Urban Forum (020 7253 4816) and Black Training and Enterprise Group
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Oct
Researchers examined the needs, types and structures of voluntary organisations run by and for black women. They found that black women's organisations do not feel sufficiently engaged with local and regional strategic partnership schemes, but that most are ambivalent about the possibility of having equal partnerships with local and central government.
Source: Sonia Davis and Veronica Cooke, Why do Black Women Organise? A comparative analysis of black women s voluntary sector organisations in Britain and their relationship to the state, Policy Studies Institute for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 431213)
Links: JRF Findings 062
Date: 2002-Oct
A government report called for the replacement of the 400-year-old definition of charity, radical new types of company for charities and social enterprises, better information for the public, and modernisation of the role of the Charity Commission.
Source: Private Action, Public Benefit: A Review of Charities and the Wider Not-For-Profit Sector, Strategy Unit/Cabinet Office (020 7276 1881)
Links: Report | Press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/4, Digest 120, paragraph 9.3
Date: 2002-Sep
Private schools would have to show they benefit the public in order to keep their charitable status, under proposals in an official report.
Source: Private Action, Public Benefit: A Review of Charities and the Wider Not-For-Profit Sector, Strategy Unit/Cabinet Office (020 7276 1881)
Links: Report | Report (pdf) | Summary
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124, paragraph 9.3
Date: 2002-Sep
A government report set out ways in which voluntary and community sector organisations can play a bigger role in the reform of public services and reinvigoration of civic life.
Source: The Role of the Voluntary and Community Sector in Service Delivery: A Cross Cutting Review, HM Treasury (020 7270 4558)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Sep
The Charity Commissioners ruled that the promotion of human rights is a charitable purpose.
Source: Promoting Human Rights, Charity Commission for England and Wales (0870 333 0123)
Links: Guidance | Charity Commission press release
Date: 2002-Jul
A report called for a strategy to support voluntary groups in rural communities.
Source: Holly Yates, Supporting Rural Voluntary Action, National Council for Voluntary Organisations (0800 279 8798) and Countryside Agency
Links: Summary
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/4, Digest 120 (paragraph 1.1)
Date: 2002-May