Sir Stuart Etherington: Big Society needs to be more than hot air

The Big Society agenda needs more than good intentions and hot air if it is to have a hope of succeeding, according to our Chief Executive, Sir Stuart Etherington.

In a seminal speech at Cass Business School, Sir Stuart argued that the Big Society agenda presents key opportunities for the voluntary sector to set its direction and content.

He stressed the need for a vibrant and thriving civil society that empowers everyone to participate in their communities, especially at a time of profound social, technological, ecological and economic change. 

He said: "The Big Society should not just be about the state pulling back, but about the state and civil society working together, supporting each other through the different roles they play".

However, Sir Stuart also stressed the danger in assuming that civil society organisations will simply 'fill the gaps' left in state services in the aftermath of spending cuts.  He said: "Groups fear that state inaction will crowd them out, and that changes will push them into roles which change their purpose and ethos."

He also warned the government against directing voluntary action, as it is "by its nature spontaneous, reflecting people's own interests, concerns and passions." 

He emphasised the critical role of voluntary and community organisations in campaigning and advocacy.  He stressed the vital role that civil society can play in helping people to participate and giving a voice to vulnerable groups.

Sir Stuart set out the framework he believes the Government needs to put in place to enable the Big Society to become reality, including:

• making the mooted Big Society Day a national Bank Holiday to celebrate and promote community activity
• offering support for communities to set up and develop local groups
• expanding grants schemes
• giving employers incentives to encourage volunteering

Sir Stuart argued that the Office for Civil Society should play a much stronger role in championing the voluntary sector throughout Whitehall, by promoting understanding of its role and needs and through the creation of a Civil Society Select Committee.

On localism, Sir Stuart emphasised the need for local authorities to work in partnership with voluntary and community groups, and most importantly not to see them as soft targets for spending cuts.

Sir Stuart called for radical public service reform, which focuses on people's wellbeing, rather than just the provision of welfare, and working with people to find solutions, rather than just providing services to them.  

"The essence of the Big Society is taking account of what people can give, as well as what they need, providing services that build on and link into people's own networks and neighbourhood support systems," he said.
 
Sir Stuart Etherington's lecture took place at the Cass Business School in central London at 6pm today (November 3).