On 19th July, Prime Minister David Cameron made a speech in Liverpool on the Government’s plans for the Big Society.
The Abbeyfield Society, a charity which was founded by a volunteer with the aim of providing care and alleviating loneliness in older people broadly welcomes his ideas. We were heartened to hear that the Government would seek to empower communities by involving people in running and controlling local services. Volunteers and community support is integral to the continuing success of Abbeyfield and many other charitable organisations across the UK.
Mr Cameron’s speech echoes the key values of Abbeyfield’s founder Richard Carr-Gomm over 50 years ago. We are encouraged by the fact that the Prime Minister recognises the importance of our principles, and is encouraging people to get involved volunteering and in their local communities.
We recognise that many of the principles underpinning the big society are positive and provide real opportunities for voluntary and community organisations and the communities they work in. However, the backdrop of a challenging economic environment in which we are all currently operating has to be considered.
We therefore welcome ideas such as channelling funds from dormant bank accounts to enable charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to take over the running of public services and think that to successfully implement the Big society Blueprint it is essential that the government take advice from the bodies working in the sector in order to develop and deliver realistic, workable policies which enhance and support the voluntary and community sector.
Abbeyfield would be very happy to volunteer our services to the Government and be part of a group that represent the charitable sector.