NatCAN and umbrella organization for community activists have published this letter from a number of voluntary national organisations .  They are worried about what will remain of the ’Voluntary Sector’ of any consequence to the close-to-a-million unfunded community sector groups that make up civil society?

This debate and discussion will also be seen on our webinar on Nov 13^th on Welfare Reform and The Impact on Families. You can find more about that here.

NCVO, ACEVO, NAVCA and 11 other national organisations have written to the government pleading for more concessions to help the voluntary sector implement government plans to privatise public services, cut benefits and entitlements and encourage volunteering as a substitute for statutory services. Lowlights of this appalling letter include:

“Firstly, our sector stands ready to make a greater contribution to the Government’s Open Public Services agenda.”

“Our sector is keen to sustain (the Olympics) volunteering spirit and to develop new volunteering opportunities appropriate to the changing expectations of volunteers and the needs of our community and public services. We would be glad to arrange a meeting with Ministers to discuss how our sector, and volunteering, can make a greater contribution to the next stages of public service reform.”

“As the government’s welfare reforms take effect we know that some of the most vulnerable people in the country will be affected – including children. Our sector will be at the frontline – helping individuals and families prepare for and manage change. We therefore ask Ministers to give special consideration to the important work that our sector, and particularly advice services, can play in relation to welfare reforms and preparing for their impact.”

You can visit the NartCAN website here