JVN Blog

I read with great interest the speech by the Prime Minister on stating her government’s desire to create a ‘shared society’ in a post-Brexit Britain. For many, this has echoes of David Cameron’s notion of the ‘big society’, which focussed on generating social cohesion by putting local people and local governments in greater control of the powers needed to define their own communities, and empowering individuals to engage in social action and volunteering.

The big society was a very debatable success. Whilst volunteering did become something of a buzzword for a while, helped in no small part by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, there was a lack of clarity as to what the big society actually was or would do and what government actually delivered. Consequently it had limited impact and charities like JVN are cautious of any new government initiatives with society in their title!

In her proposal for a shared society, Mrs May is trying to ensure us that she intends to break with this tradition and see a more ‘active government that will step up’ to support the communities and organisations that can enact change. This change includes measures to help those who are ‘just getting by’, as well as the most disadvantaged in society.

There is little evidence thus far to suggest how the post-Brexit shared society might be achieved and it is quite possible, as critics have pointed out, that this is simply a bid to convince voters that the government is concerned with other things apart from the big question of just how to achieve Brexit itself. And, of course, one large point of concern is if any money will be available to fund it and where it will materialise from.

Aside from the issue of funding, there is one question that we at the JVN – and we believe other volunteer-involving charities in society – want answered: what kind of support will the government offer our charities and organisations? As much as the government wants to be ‘active’, it would be difficult to deny that there are bodies and groups more adept and capable of making a difference to those ‘just getting by’ than central government.

We believe that a large part of the resources for a shared society must be directed towards the need to continue to promote the voluntary sector, but also to better train volunteers and volunteer managers to deliver their services. The desire for ‘solidarity’ cannot be lost in a sense of vigorous optimism and the gung-ho attitude of those who already regard themselves as in the know. A ‘new sense of citizenship’ must mean a sense of informed citizenship. It must be a citizenship by which citizens are clear on their rights and their responsibilities towards others; where all citizens are properly encouraged to engage in volunteering and social action and recognised for it; and where charity workers are given the right knowledge and resources to direct their colleagues and volunteers in a clear and efficient manner. This is the support that is needed to produce a true ‘shared society’ that we all have a stake in, and we hope it is the support Mrs May intends to offer.

Leonie Lewis

Director, Jewish Volunteering Network