Stronger Communities

The values that should underpin Big Society Network activity
(Response to Government)

What is the Big Society Network?
The Big Society Network is an organisation being set up by frustrated citizens for frustrated citizens, to help everyone achieve change in their local area. The aim is to create a new relationship between Citizens and Government in which both are genuine partners in getting things done: real democracy using all the human and technological tools we now have available. This partnership will also add a third and fourth leg to its sturdy chair by involving business and the voluntary sector. Read more

What we are trying to achieve?
It is early days in regards to planning the Big Society Network activity, and it’s far too early to know what will exactly happen in coming months, but some things are inevitable: there will be less money, and that will mean we all need to to work more collaboratively and creatively. We wanted to start feeding back to Government and the Big Society Network, the practical ideas for how we can really work together across business, the public sector, and community organisations, to deliver a fairer, stronger society, and what the core values that should underpin the work of The Big Society should be.

Who have we fed this back to?
We have fed this back to No10, DCLG and The Big Society Network, and will post responses as we recieve them shortly.

Can I still be part of this discussion?
This paper was co-designed by people who attended a recent Chain Reaction Stronger Communities discussion in London on 4 June, and from subsequent online discussion, but it’s not too late to add your thoughts and ideas. Here’s how:

Discussion Group: Share ideas / thoughts on the Chain Reaction Network discussion group
Wiki: You can comment or directly amend this document on the wiki
: Please email your comments to

The Paper: Stronger Communities, Bigger Society

Summary
Today we face a combination of old trends and new realities. This makes it a good time to think about and articulate an authentic and coherent vision of what we do, how we do it and why we do it. We should be clear about what we expect of ourselves, of our partners and of government. At the centre of this effort are the needs and the aspirations of the people we aim to support. All our work should be tested against how well we serve their interests.

We put forward for discussion this statement about our vision and values. We have thought of it not as a map but as a guide, a compass perhaps, helping us to respond to the defining and changing characteristics of our environment:

The ever-shifting boundaries between the three sectors – public, private and third – that asks questions about who does what, for what purpose and, crucially, who is responsible?
The impending cuts in public spending that will force decisions about priorities and methods but also create opportunities for new ways of working.
The new government’s rhetoric of freedom, transferring power to local areas and a lessening of top-down approaches that have characterised the recent past.
The ongoing levels of need and inequality, suffered by so many, and that shames us all.

Click here to read and download the full response (pdf)

Contact

For more information or to feedback please contact Laura Hyde, Chain Reaction Communications & Events Manager
020 7473 9643 or

Chain Reaction