The Big Society and Community Volunteering

The concept of the Big Society has faded from political discourse, yet in Kensal Rise, we see citizen power in action amid significant public service cuts. Despite the Kensal Rise Library’s closure over two months ago, local residents have rallied to campaign for community volunteers to manage the library and collect donations for additional books and IT services.

Determined to sustain a local library service, these volunteers have established a ‘pop-up’ library and plan to transform the old library building into a vibrant community hub, entirely volunteer-staffed.

I am deeply impressed by this committed group dedicated to preserving their local library. However, I ponder the sustainability of relying solely on goodwill. What happens when this small group’s enthusiasm wanes?

Is Goodwill Enough?

The local council remains firm on its decision to close the library, seemingly depending on community volunteering to bridge the gaps in essential public services. Volunteers have historically filled these voids, but there’s a new, flawed assumption that volunteering is a cost-free substitute for publicly funded services.

High-quality public service delivery by volunteers necessitates coordination, training, support, governance, and coverage of volunteers’ expenses. Assuming these can be offered indefinitely at no cost is misguided and risks depleting locals’ goodwill, time, and skills.

David Cameron encouraged people to reclaim these services, but without proper support, such initiatives may falter, potentially leading to volunteer disillusionment.

Creative Thinking in Community Voluntary Service

At Vinspired, we’re particularly concerned about high youth unemployment rates. We’ve advocated for investments in structured volunteering programs that allow young people to acquire skills and experience while contributing to public services. Programs like vtalent year and 24/24 have shown success, enabling young people to undertake placements in local councils, supporting education, leisure, and library services.

Innovative government thinking could transform a youth unemployment crisis into a novel public service volunteering initiative. It’s time for creative solutions to harness the power of community voluntary service.