5000 fewer managers, 4000 more doctors?
Learn to speak like a fully engaged, customer-facing choice moderniser…
We have ways of transforming you…..
The winners and losers in the Transforming Local Infrastructure beauty contest have been announced. But is twisting yourself into a pretzel to please the government the best way to support local voluntary action? Here Adrian Barritt has a rant against the rise of the cyberstate….
Surprisingly scathing critique from Barings panel, but no call to arms
NCIA was pleased to see a strong attack on the effects of market-led commissioning models, but thinks the panel needs to be less cautious on the change that is needed on two key issues: funding and commissioning mechanisms, and the need for voluntary organisations to combine to fight off the threats to their autonomy.
Social Action Fund: all target, no aim….
Last friday, 2nd February, time was called on applications to the Government’s Social Action Fund. Branded on its prospectus as “….funding big ideas, inspiring social action” some thought maybe, just maybe, this might offer some welcome support to authentic local voluntary action. But Adrian Barritt of Adur Voluntary Action discovered it was a missed and misguided opportunity. Here’s why….
Bizarre upbeat response by Compact Voice to damning NAO report
Compact Voice continues its happy-clappy approach to the disaster that is the Compact in welcoming the National Audit Office report on its (non) implementation in central government. “We are delighted that the Compact is supported by government departments and that the NAO have found good examples of it being applied” says Compact Voice’s Simon Blake, when the report in fact paints a depressing picture of minimal leadership, inadequate resourcing, poor co-ordination and no performance monitoring. Here Meta Zimmeck unpacks the sorry story.
For Insurgency: The Case against Partnership
For nearly two decades we have been told that ‘partnership’ is the way forward, bringing us all together in ‘one big happy family’. But is partnership working really a confidence trick, confirming and exploiting unequal power relationships? Here Professor Jonathan Davies of De Montfort University outlines the arguments and trails his recent book which locates the fashion for partnership working right in the heart of the global neo-liberal project.
Read the latest NCIA newsletter
Read the latest news from the dark side of voluntary action, along with stories of how people are fighting back and what NCIA folks have been doing to make a louder noise about resisting privatisation, hanging on to our principles in turbulent times, and making space for independent action in our communities. Let us know if you have a story for January’s newsletter.
Anti-cuts training from Unite
Calling all Unite members! There is a free training course on 20 – 22 February for activists and youth workers in community groups and voluntary organisations.
NCIA Assembly at the Bank of Ideas: December 13th!
Occupy community groups and public services: a discussion to find a new space for community and voluntary action.
Are you an organisation or a movement?
On 22 November, in his final address to a NAVCA conference, Kevin Curley asserted his belief that the work of infrastructure organisations should not be values neutral. He said: “I was dismayed when Turning Point and Catch 22 – two great national charities – formed a consortium with Serco to build and run two new prisons.
