This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/apr/16/thatcher-nick-hurd-big-society
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| The UK's long tradition of voluntary activity is set to strengthen | The UK's long tradition of voluntary activity is set to strengthen |
| (6 months later) | |
| 'It is our duty to look after ourselves and then, also, to look after our neighbours." The words were said 25 years ago by a British prime minister but they still resonate. In 2013, we face the challenge of finding better solutions to our social problems with less public resources. No political party can aspire to government without a credible response. | 'It is our duty to look after ourselves and then, also, to look after our neighbours." The words were said 25 years ago by a British prime minister but they still resonate. In 2013, we face the challenge of finding better solutions to our social problems with less public resources. No political party can aspire to government without a credible response. |
| This coalition government believes that part of the solution is to rebalance power and social responsibility. The age of big central government achieved too little. The future lies in more effective co-operation between open government, a more socially responsible private sector and a stronger civil society. In this process we have to find space for genuine social innovation. The most successful countries in a more competitive world will be the ones that make best use of their resources. For us that should include our human capital, and the talent and experience that sits in communities across the country. | This coalition government believes that part of the solution is to rebalance power and social responsibility. The age of big central government achieved too little. The future lies in more effective co-operation between open government, a more socially responsible private sector and a stronger civil society. In this process we have to find space for genuine social innovation. The most successful countries in a more competitive world will be the ones that make best use of their resources. For us that should include our human capital, and the talent and experience that sits in communities across the country. |
| Britain starts from a relatively good place, with a long tradition of voluntary activity whose social and economic value is immense. However, we rely on a heroic "civic core", with a third of the population doing more than three-quarters of the giving. We have an exciting opportunity to broaden that base of active citizens. The inspiring 2012 Olympic Games changed perceptions of volunteering. Digital technology has transformed our ability to mobilise people. National Citizen Service is connecting thousands of teenagers with their power to make a difference – and they love it. In encouraging more social action, we are going with the grain of what people want. In some areas I hear that demand for volunteering exceeds supply. Certainly, the official statistics suggest that volunteering has risen after years of gentle decline. | Britain starts from a relatively good place, with a long tradition of voluntary activity whose social and economic value is immense. However, we rely on a heroic "civic core", with a third of the population doing more than three-quarters of the giving. We have an exciting opportunity to broaden that base of active citizens. The inspiring 2012 Olympic Games changed perceptions of volunteering. Digital technology has transformed our ability to mobilise people. National Citizen Service is connecting thousands of teenagers with their power to make a difference – and they love it. In encouraging more social action, we are going with the grain of what people want. In some areas I hear that demand for volunteering exceeds supply. Certainly, the official statistics suggest that volunteering has risen after years of gentle decline. |
| We had to make it easier and more exciting to give time – so a lot of red tape is being cleared, not least through reform of the Criminal Records Bureau checks. The Social Action Fund is creating a wide range of new opportunities. The Join In campaign is inspiring people to support their local sports clubs as part of the Olympic legacy. The Dementia Friends campaign is aiming to mobilise 1 million people in a collective effort to make this country more dementia-friendly. The Innovation in Giving Fund is backing new models for getting people involved. Three examples of new "people helping people" models are Care4Care, Good Gym and Tyze online networks. A new partnership with Nesta will unlock fresh volunteering opportunities working alongside the public sector. | We had to make it easier and more exciting to give time – so a lot of red tape is being cleared, not least through reform of the Criminal Records Bureau checks. The Social Action Fund is creating a wide range of new opportunities. The Join In campaign is inspiring people to support their local sports clubs as part of the Olympic legacy. The Dementia Friends campaign is aiming to mobilise 1 million people in a collective effort to make this country more dementia-friendly. The Innovation in Giving Fund is backing new models for getting people involved. Three examples of new "people helping people" models are Care4Care, Good Gym and Tyze online networks. A new partnership with Nesta will unlock fresh volunteering opportunities working alongside the public sector. |
| This push to encourage more social action sits alongside a big transfer of power to communities. It is early days in what some have called a "quiet revolution". The obituarists of big society miss a fundamental point. Once you give people more power to improve their lives, help others and find better ways of doing things, it is very hard to take it away again. | This push to encourage more social action sits alongside a big transfer of power to communities. It is early days in what some have called a "quiet revolution". The obituarists of big society miss a fundamental point. Once you give people more power to improve their lives, help others and find better ways of doing things, it is very hard to take it away again. |
| Margaret Thatcher had a strong belief in the power of the British people to do great things if they were given the freedom and the opportunity. | Margaret Thatcher had a strong belief in the power of the British people to do great things if they were given the freedom and the opportunity. |
| • Nick Hurd is minister for civil society | • Nick Hurd is minister for civil society |
| This article was originally launched in error on 14 April 2013 | This article was originally launched in error on 14 April 2013 |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |
Previous version
1
Next version