David Blunkett has launched the report of a review of the Third Sector commissioned by Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Mutual Action, Common Purpose: Empowering the Third Sector is published by the Fabian Society with sponsorship from Community.
Read the full report (pdf)
In the pamphlet, Mr Blunkett and a working group of Labour MPs lay down a direct challenge to the Conservatives’ concept of ‘Broken Britain’ by contrasting this pessimism with the vibrancy, personal commitment and generosity in time and money of the British people.
The report on the voluntary, community, social enterprise and co-operative sector touches not only on new ways of tackling old problems, but also the building of capacity and capability within the community; developing the assets and talent of men and women across the country; and using government as an empowerer and enabler of people to face both opportunities and difficulties, enabling them to make a difference in their own life and the wellbeing of those around them.
Mr Blunkett said: “If one thing above all refutes the suggestions that Britain is ‘broken’, it is the strength of our Third Sector, and the contribution which men and women make to the self help, independence and vibrancy which government can assist but should never replace.
“I’ve always been taken by the slogan ‘think global, act local’, and there’s never been a better moment to put this in to practice. Gordon Brown has been bold and decisive not only in crucial decisions on the economy here in Britain but taking a lead internationally. I hope that that boldness will equally apply to building on the enormous progress that’s been made over the last 11 years in regenerating communities, encouraging the values of mutuality and giving, and reinforcing the glue that holds our society together.
“In short, a redefining of the role of government, of the relationship between government and governed and in the challenge to meet growing need, to deliver support and care, and the reform and modernisation of the delivery of publicly funded services."
A sample of the key recommendations from the 56 proposals in the report are:
- A civil volunteer corps trialled in 3 or 4 demonstration cities (involving incentives to ensure that all young people between the ages of 16 and 25 undertake at least 6 months intensive volunteering
- That Gift Aid should be retained from 2011, offering both individuals and corporate givers greater incentives and increasing benefit for recipients
- The development of a national recognition scheme, which in addition to the honours system would offer a way of thanking people for the giving of time or cash, facilitating good causes, and offering the possibility of developing incentives for junior level givers of time, and young philanthropists
- Developing incentives for major employers to release staff for specific voluntary opportunities where this would link time from work with time out of work – such as special constables working as trained support to the police service
- The NHS should engage volunteers to signpost patients and visiting families in hospitals, and to act as gatekeepers helping to avoid hospital acquired infections by assisting visitors with handwashing, as well as to assist nurses and support staff in ensuring that the most vulnerable patients receive food and drink at mealtimes
- That volunteering should be promoted as part of the citizenship curriculum
- That all those taking up retirement pension should be supplied automatically with details of volunteering opportunities, including being given contact details for local and regional voluntary action co-ordinators
