howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
dave hoped it would be his legacy, looks more like his epitaph now.
we rarely hear the term anymore.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/may/07/david-cameron-big-society-cuts-distrustKeith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
doesnt those two terms anymore
big sciety
all in it together
all very quickly dropped
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Guest 716- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 4,010
Big Society was one of Cameron`s early`headliners`...if they did not grab news time they limped along in hope.
There were quite a few.
The Budget was the final nail in the coffin.Cameron planned a big relaunch this month but it is doughtful if it will go ahead now.
The Big Society really was another of his ill-conceived policies and destined for a `U`turn or to be kicked into the long grass.
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
I have to disagree, The Big Society, is a good idea and we should embrace it. We should forget the "whys" and "reasons" and the politics about who is plugging it and see the sense in it.
There are many people from all parties, all walks of life, including MP's and Councillors, that are community minded and want this to work. People from within our own communities are better placed to run community affairs than Central Government or County Councils. They are not in touch with the different needs in our communities and we should work together to make this Big Society concept a reality, regardless of who's concept it is.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Gary C

howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i said at the time that it was ill thought out headline grabbing nonsense, most voluntary work is carried out by people that are unemployed or retired.
dave then went on to say that he would get everybody back into work and retirement age put back!!
we now know that have cut funding dramatically to the voluntary sector, that is why nobody uses the term "big society" anymore.
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
Howard.
I did say put that to one side and look beyond it.
Call it something different if you wish. "Community Concept" perhaps.

"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 716- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 4,010
Spot on Howard..
Big Society is a wonderful idea.
In reality anyone involved in community service will tell you when there is a need in the community,not covered by the
normal agencies,or affected by the cuts lots of people in need,MP`s Councillors jump up and down demanding action.
When the people on the ground make a call for volunteers to help...the same people come forward to be counted.But these
people are exhausted and already involved with other projects.
These volunteers are generally older people with a few young people and they are exhausted and reducing in number.
It is a Small Society.
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
Definitely true that it's usually the older citizens who mostly offer their help. Especially in villages !
The younger ones sometimes say: "Im not used to doing that, or I can't cook!" You've done it before, many times."
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
and they do not have any more energy to take on extra work as reg has said.
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
True true
It's always difficult to say no, as well living in a small community !

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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
howard;
think it has all been said
whilst the concept is good
we already have as has been said overworked volunteers
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Guest 705- Registered: 23 Sep 2010
- Posts: 661
Keith-in essence what you say is quite right. Generally speaking volunteers don't mind being overworked because they are passionate about what they do. So, why not give them the benefit of the financial and community incentive schemes which are becoming available at this time. I see that KCC have now launched their 'Big Society ' Bank with quite a large pot available for loans to community groups. The Big Society is indeed a great concept which has the potential of being infinitely more powerful than David Cameron ever intended or has had the notion to perceive. Big Society has really got less to do with project volunteering and more to do with communities ultimately governing themselves.
Never give up...
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
Richard;
I have no problem with the idea behind what KCC tries to achieve, they are often ahead of the govt on things.
im sure many voluntary groups will take advantage of the scheme.
what concerns me is we will overwork even more unpaid volunteers who will just walk away, and we cant afford that to happen as we are already short of volunteers
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Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
For once I can agree with GaryC....
Richard is spot on too....
There is more to The Big Society (not Camerons, ours) than just volunteers in charities. It s about an environment which encourages everyone to do their bit and not expect someone else to do it.
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
i dont dispute that either bern
but was looking at one aspect that was raised bern
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Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
Richard Moffatt.
You're so right and with funding, to do things how they should be done, should encourage youth to get involved as well.
BarryW.
All.
It is very hard for me to trust some people but we will never get anywhere unless we are willing to put that miss-trust aside. We really do need to start working together and it needs to start at the top. Many MP's( All Leaders) from all parties, should step back and take a long look at themselves and if some are not ashamed of what they see and are not willing to change, then they should resign and let someone who cares about this country and the people in it, to take over.
Bern.
Your right its much more than Cameron.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
garyc;
there are many community minded people out there
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
all very well but funding is being withdrawn, having said that i don't know how much kcc have to spread around on the project.