The Big Society in (in)action

Never let it be said that at the new economics foundation we don’t practice what we preach. For few months, nef staff have been volunteering with disabled children’s riding lessons at Vauxhall City Farm. Researchers more used to writing papers on social capital, well-being and participation, have  been leading ponies, and on occasions shovelling manure. There’s no doubt that we’re getting at least two of our Five Ways to Wellbeing,

However, we’re finding that being part of the Big Society has it’s frustrations as well as its satisfactions.  Lessons have been cancelled this week for the second time in a row. Staff, volunteers are all standing by but the children haven’t shown up. Apparently the special school, can’t bring them down due to “staff shortages” – so the lessons which are paid for and the time and energy of the volunteers are all wasted. I wonder if this is an example of “efficiency savings”.

There’s a bigger truth buried in our frustration though. The state is not a constraint on the big society – it’s one of its most important foundations. While volunteers, and voluntary organisations are a hugely important resource who can make budgets for further and services deliver more, it takes strong, effective, well-resourced state services to get the best of them. 

If budgets in public services are cut to the bare minimum, or below, the big society won’t be there to fill in the gaps. We’ll be standing around in the sun waiting for a bus full of children who never turn up.