A paper explored possible scenarios for the future development of the voluntary sector.
Source: The Development of the UK Voluntary Sector, 2000-10: Scenarios, Centre for Research and Innovation in Social Policy and Practice (0191 232 6942)
Links: Report (pdf) | Guardian report
Date: 2003-Nov
A report said that the government s ambition to enlist faith groups in the fight against social exclusion could be unrealistic. There was a thriving tradition of mutual aid within such groups, but little indication that they had either the capacity or the inclination to provide services to the wider community.
Source: Priya Lukka and Michael Locke with Andri Sorteri-Proctor, Faith and Voluntary Action: Community, values and resources, Institute for Volunteering Research (020 7520 8900)
Links: Summary | IVR press release
Date: 2003-Sep
A new book of essays explored the scope for the voluntary sector to act as a provider of public services. The contributors explored the justifications for, and practical implications of, an expanded role for the sector - together with the barriers that stood in its way. Voluntary organisation leaders said the book showed that the voluntary sector was a crucial partner in a mixed economy of service provision, and called for a 'harmonious marriage' of the state, the private and the voluntary sector providing public services.
Source: Replacing the State?: The case for third sector public service delivery, Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (0845 345 8481) | Press release 24 September 2003, Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (0845 345 8481)
Links: Summary | ACEVO press release | Guardian report
Date: 2003-Sep
A new book considered the scope, scale and structure of the voluntary sector. It examined change and continuity in the sector's role as a public policy actor, and the impact of voluntary sector activities on society.
Source: Jeremy Kendall, The Voluntary Sector: Comparative perspectives in the UK, Routledge (01264 343071)
Links: Summary (pdf)
Date: 2003-Sep
A paper assessed the role of donated labour and not-for-profit entities at the interface between the public and private sectors.
Source: Paul Grout and Michelle Yong, The Role of Donated Labour and Not for Profit at the Public/Private Interface, Working Paper 03/074, Centre for Market and Public Organisation/University of Bristol (0117 954 6943)
Links: Paper (pdf)
Date: 2003-Aug
The government began consultation on a draft strategic partnership agreement between the Department of Health, the National Health Service and the voluntary and community sector. It said the main aims of partnership were to optimise the contribution by the voluntary and community sector to a reformed NHS, and to apply the principles of the wider compact on relations between government and the voluntary and community sector in England.
Source: Making Partnership Work for Patients, Carers and Service Users, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Consultation document (pdf)
Date: 2003-Aug
A report made recommendations for setting up a monitoring and evaluation framework for the Scottish 'compact' between central government, non-departmental public bodies and public agencies in Scotland and the community and voluntary sectors. (The compact was launched in 1998 and set out a framework of principles covering working relationships.)
Source: Keith Hayton, Scottish Compact Baseline Review, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Report (pdf) | Report | Summary (pdf) | Summary
Date: 2003-Aug
A report examined an action research project to support and evaluate increased user involvement in four voluntary organisations.
Source: Paul Robson, Nasa Begum and Michael Lock, Developing User Involvement: Working towards user-centred practice in voluntary organisations, Policy Press for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: JRF Findings 723
Date: 2003-Jul
The Charity Commission announced that it would accept the promotion of equality and diversity as a new charitable aim in its own right.
Source: Press release 17.7.03, Charity Commission for England and Wales (0870 333 0123)
Links: Charity Commission press release
Date: 2003-Jul
A study attempted to assess whether not-for-profit partnerships by non-governmental organisations had made a positive impact on society, but concluded that there was not yet enough information to give a definitive answer.
Source: Ben Tuxworth and Florian Sommer, Fair Exchange?: Measuring the impact of not-for-profit partnerships, Forum for the Future (020 7251 6070)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2003-Jun
A report said that almost 90 per cent of charities had not considered a merger over the previous decade, and 40 per cent felt they were too specialised to do so.
Source: Collaborative Working and Mergers, Charity Commission for England and Wales (0870 333 0123)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf) | Press release | Guardian report
Date: 2003-May
A discussion paper examined the issues raised by an official review of the voluntary and community sector (formal consultation for which is expected during 2003). The paper considered ways in which the sector could increase its role in delivering public services, while maintaining its independence from government.
Source: Voluntary Sector Infrastructure: Discussion paper, National Council for Voluntary Organisations (020 7520 2477)
Links: Discussion paper | Summary
Date: 2003-Mar
A study evaluated an initiative, launched in 1999 by the Home Office, to encourage black and minority ethnic (BME) organisations to twin with mainstream voluntary organisations in equal partnership, in order to (among other things) raise national awareness of current good volunteering practice in BME communities. It found that the initiative had a substantial impact on the organisations involved, and beyond them; and that the impact on the volunteers, most of whom were new to volunteering, was generally very positive.
Source: Katharine Gaskin, Joining Forces: The Black and Minority Ethnic Twinning Initiative - Evaluation and good practice, Research Study 256, Home Office (020 7273 2084)
Links: Study (pdf)
Date: 2003-Feb
The government began consultation on 'futurebuilders' - a one-off 125 million investment fund, spread over the three years 2003-04 to 2005-06, designed to assist voluntary and community sector organisations provide public services.
Source: 'futurebuilders': Investment fund for voluntary and community sector public service delivery, HM Treasury (020 7270 4558)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2003-Feb
A research report said that the voluntary sector was playing a greater role in designing and delivering polices such as those aiming to improve the environment, regenerate cities or assist older people. But it also highlighted growing tensions between leadership and participation within organisations, as well as between effectiveness in influencing policy and accountability to their membership.
Source: Marilyn Taylor, Diane Warburton, Tessa Parkes, Gary Craig and Mick Wilkinson, Willing Partners? Voluntary and community associations in the democratic process, Economic and Social Research Council (01793 413000)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf) | ESRC press release
Date: 2003-Feb
A report said that 'social economy' organisations in Scotland can bring added value to the delivery of public services, through their capacity to innovate, their closeness to their customers/clients and the communities in which they operate, and their access to resources such as volunteer effort and charitable donations. (Social economy organisations were defined in the report as including any of a wide range of organisations independent of the state which provide services to citizens.)
Source: A Review of the Scottish Executive's Policies to Promote the Social Economy, Voluntary Issues Unit/Scottish Executive (0131 244 3649)
Links: Report (pdf) | Report
Date: 2003-Jan
The latest edition of an annual directory contained information on over 2,000 voluntary organisations, including descriptions of the aims and objectives of each one, together with contact details.
Source: The Voluntary Agencies Directory 2003, National Council for Voluntary Organisations (0800 279 8798)
Links: NCVO homepage
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124, paragraph 9.1
Date: 2003-Jan