Description
Book SynopsisMore and more is being expected of volunteers and the voluntary sector in the UK. But what does it mean to be a volunteer today? This book seeks to add new insights into individual action in that part of the economy that is beyond the state and the market. Volunteering is examined from the perspective of the individual, the organisation, and the community (of place, identity or interest).
Trade Review"Feeding directly into the current ideological discussions on Big Society, 'Enterprising care?' is essential reading for all interested in the future of the voluntary sector." Colin C Williams, Professor of Public Policy, University of Sheffield
"This book, from authors who know their field very well, is a valuable resource, giving this reader, at last, a fresh sense of the complexity of unpaid voluntary action, a good sense of the reality on the ground and a range of useful ways to understand it." Marilyn Taylor, Journal of Social Policy
Table of ContentsFixing Britain's 'broken' society: from the Third Way to Big Society; Theoretical underpinnings of voluntary work and voluntary organisations: work, care or enterprise?; Understanding the journeys of individual volunteers: demanding community concern, or demonstrating job readiness?; A professional paradox? 'Managing' volunteers in voluntary and community sector organisations; Voluntary and community sector organisations as enterprising care providers: keeping organisational values distinctive; Volunteering: an articulation of caring communities; Volunteering: caring for people like me; The big issue of the Big Society: mobilising communities alongside fiscal austerity
