Big Society

Publications

The Big Society: how could it work
PACES (Public Agency and Community Empowerment Strategies) has published a paper looking at some of the individual components of the Big Society idea from a critical-friendly perspective suggesting tweaks and changes for successful implementation.

The case for community anchor organisations
Third Sector Research Centre, 2011
Eileen Conn is a community activist, in south London, who also worked for many years in Government, and has developed theoretical and practical work on social dynamics and complex living systems. She has published her arguments in support of the value of small groups and the services which nurture them and the power imbalance between policymakers and community groups. A short video interview and commentary here.

Creating stronger and more inclusive communities
A report from the think tank NEF explores how to use the strengths of local communities, and enable people with support needs to be seen as assets to their local society. 

Guide for community buying groups
Department for Business Innovation and Skills, 2012
BIS has published advice on how to set up and run collective purchasing or community buying groups. This aims to help groups of consumers operating on a non-profit basis combine their buying power to get better deals from shops and other suppliers.

Little Big Societies: micro-mapping of organisations operating below the radar
Andri Soteri-Proctor, Third Sector Research Centre Working and Briefing Paper 71, 2011
Study of two very small areas in depth, a reminder of how many community organisations are very small and informal. The researchers found 58 community groups operating in and around 11 streets – groups not on regulators’ lists and missing from more standard VCS analysis, yet delivering diverse services for specific interests and target communities.

Mapping Big Society
The Third Sector Research Centre has published a report demonstrating that there is a ‘civic core’ of people who contribute a disproportionate amount of time and money to their communities who are likely to be middle-aged, well-educated and live in prosperous areas, and asks what this means for ‘Big Society’.

Take Part in London's Big Society
Since 2004, London Civic Forum’s Take Part Learning Programme has helped Londoners gain skills, confidence and knowledge for active citizenship through community-based activities. This report argues that the need for Take Part learning in London has never been more urgent. With the Big Society, Localism and Decentralisation high on the political agenda, Londoners should be encouraged to take up new opportunities to articulate their views, have a voice in decision making and lead social change. 

Whose localism?
In this thought piece, Hilary Barnard, Senior Visiting Fellow at Cass Business School, offers his view of the consequences of the government’s policies on localism, and the Localism Bill.