'It’s no new, modern creation; no complex, mysterious concept; its people helping people for the greater good; its individuals taking more responsibility for themselves and their neighborhoods; its communities being empowered to shape their place, to find and deliver solutions to local challenges together' (1). So why may you ask am I writing this a year on from David Cameron’s Big Society Concept? I suppose it’s to highlight; that it’s kind of been there all along, in various forms and guises.
The Asian community when first arriving to this country were the epitome of the Big Society Concept; ‘as Asian communities have historically lived in extended families that included grandparents, parents, aunties and uncles acting as unpaid nannies and baby sitters for young children; carers for the elderly and guardians of young adults’(2) . The Asian community, to many people may seem closed and misunderstood to the outside world, but underneath that illusion, a whole host of social/community activity goes on. Asians support their temples, gurdhwaras and mosques not just with money, but with hands-on practical help: donating their resources, time and sheer physical effort to ensure the facilities are up to scratch and available for users.
You’re probably thinking well Asian Communities tend to keep themselves to themselves and seldom do we see this social spirit extended into the wider community? I agree and I do ask that especially here in Worcester the community take part in local events, become members of school Governing bodies, organise fundraising events for local charities as well as take part in 100’s of others activities so that this rich cultural diverse community spirit can be spread to others.
So why is it then this isn’t working in other communities, you may argue that the Asians have the Big Society concept ‘hardwired and bound in there genetic code’ (3) Does a similar trait exist in British Society? If you think back to the Two World Wars and how the nation came together at these critical periods in history then was that not the Big Society? Does it really take a disaster of epic proportions to bring the nation together? You may point out that the Credit Crunch and the banking crisis is just that and that on the back of this to rescue our flagging economy this Big Society concept was born? In my opinion I would lean toward that we had the theory that it always existed but we lost touch with it, as we prospered as an industrial powerhouse in the world. It slowly disappeared of into the sunset when too much emphasis was put on receiving but not giving.
Signs of it are now beginning to emerge as people dust themselves of from their sleep and wake up to the stark reality of a changed world. Realising the only way forward; is, joining forces, sharing and taking part. The Worcester Community Trust is a prime example of the Big Society in this changed world. Where the Area of Highest Need namely Warndon, Ronkswood and Gorse Hill are benefitting from increased involvement from local people who are helping out volunteering and engaging to make their area better. They are not simply following orders they are setting priorities and what they want to help them get them out of this difficult period.
In trying to sum up I must mention that the Big Society Concept has always been there, different societies practice and have practiced it in different ways and that it lays like a dormant Volcano whose enormous power is waiting to be unleashed all we have to do is tap into it by embracing the concept once again.
Reference 1: http://www.bigsocietyworks.com/
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