Advantages of voluntary sector Flashcards
Voluntary organisations can save the government money and improve social solidarity in society
Page says voluntary welfare is important as charities have lower costs and help generate a sense of community. For example, charities use volunteers to provide welfare and raise finance through donations and fund raising activities.
The voluntary sector also increases community spirit and involvement with campaigns such as ‘Children in Need’. Charities and charity events encourage a sense of community and social belonging as people have the opportunity to come together to support less fortunate members of society.
The Coalition Government’s policy of the ‘Big Society’ aimed to increase voluntary provision and community spirit and Cameron said it would heal what the Conservatives called the “broken society” after the 2011 riots.
Voluntary organisations can often meet special needs better than the State
Charities can provide a more personal service to those who have specific care needs.
Charities are more sensitive and responsive to special needs than the state as they have the volunteers who can give up the time to provide one to one care with clients. Eg Macmillan Cancer In this way charities fill the gaps in state sector provision that may struggle with increasing demand.
Moreover, as state welfare is faced with increasing demand on its services, charities can relieve this burden by providing care for groups who may not be fully catered for by the state eg those suffering the effects of domestic violence or elderly people who require extra social care in their homes.
