Government cuts volunteer funding - so how does this fit the "Big Society"?

[Lilymaid]

I've just heard that Timebank, an organisation that has matched 300,000 volunteers with opportunites in the last decade, has had its government funding cut. So what has happened to the "Big Society"? A petition has been launched - perhaps a U-turn can be achieved?

somewhat hopeful bump ...

Erm, it doesn't .

Where are the volunteers who need nowt but thin air to live on?

Voluntary organisations and charities will have to find other ways to raise the cash to do the work they do... or they'll have to do more with less cash and make efficiency savings. It's a bit of well-worn idea to say that 'everyone will be affected' by the deficit reduction plan but, as we can with each passing month, whether you're a tax-payer, benefit recipient, in the army, police force, NHS, a student, working for a council or a charity, everyone is affected to a greater or lesser degree. It's tough to argue that any single group is a special case - however worthy.

Oh except the banks, Chil. They're really special.

Good point - the banks shouldn't have received any state help either...but then that was thanks to Labour, of course...

I think they want to encourage philanthropy a la the US. Fat chance.

Tory twunts.

Oh yes, the special banks. I might go and volunteer there. They must be great because we gave them all our money, and Im so happy to hear they are getting their million pound bonuses again. Its only fair that we cut every bit of support for people and society across the country, because those bankers really need million pound bonuses, and they shouldnt worry about ever paying us back with interest like a loan from a..um.. bank, because they are the Tory's special friends.

Im so glad the Tories have given the banks a big tax cut on their profits (corporation tax cut). I agree they should keep more of their profits for themselves, they deserve it, after all, they did give the Tory party a bit of £, so its only fair.

As for the rest of this country, they should volunteer and sort out their own society/school/health/ad lib ad nauseum. we only want their tax £s for our Tory pals pockets, not to provide bloody services you gullible idiots.

Typical Tory rubbish....let the fat cats get their cream..the rest of us do what we can for others for free! It was never a real policy, just a smokescreen for the huge cuts they want to justify. They will never change...it's not the defecit they are worrying about..it's keeping their rich mates happy and keeping their belief that the poor bring it on themselves so deserve no help. Shelter recons that 1/3 of Britain will be unaffordable for the lower paid within 10 years...tell me who will do the low paid or unpaid work in the s/e when you can't live there without a wage of over £30k??

There weren't meant to be any cuts to front line services? Now are they cuting services left, right and centre, but the volunteers who work for nothing(are they mainly women with a husband in employment and unemployed desperate to get into some sort of employment?). I don't think you can get it any cheaper than using an unpaid workforce?