Big Society Network (UK)

Introduction

The Big Society Network is the face and hands of the recently elected UK government's Big Society initiative. It is intended to help people and communities achieve change in their local area. It's 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."

From the network's website, the Big Society name appears to come from an idea of helping individuals feel big. The Big Society Network appears to aim to increase the proportion of UK citizens who believe they can influence local decision and find value in attending public meetings. It wishes to address the anger and frustration felt at the recent behaviour of both the City (financial sector of the nation's capital) and Westminster (Government) and the feeling of relative powerlessness to change them. On the website, they presume that citizens "are often anonymous tax-payers without a real sense of how [their] money gets spent. Most of [them] try to be reasonably good citizens but [their] influence seems very small.

The Big Society Network wants to help people get things done, help connect people with common aims, encourage discussion about what they want to share and change together in order to make their neighbourhoods stronger, safer, and more enjoyable. The intention is that every citizen can be a shareholder, contribute to a national mutual society and receive help and rewards.

"The Big Society Network is, above all, practical. It’s an enormous tool-box of advice, case histories, links to people and resources, using the power of the Internet, mobiles, and face-to-face action."

Areas of Work

The network, launched by prime minister David Cameron at Downing Street [in July 2010], aims to become the ‘largest mutual in the UK’ and will be a support mechanism for communities setting up new organisations, groups and initiatives with possible funding available. However, there is no plan in place to encourage these initiatives to become sustainable social enterprises. Instead, the network will respond to community requests and may act if they see a trend. There is also no plan, as yet, to help those on low incomes access the support of the network.

Current Projects

The Big Society Network is presently raising funds to set up the network, requiring between £250,000 and £1m initially. The organisation is registered as a company limited by guarantee and is hoping to attract funding from private investment, foundation trusts and donations. The network is also in talks with ‘big business and big brands’ for support.

Publications

What others have to say about the Big Society initiative (please note that these publications are about the wide Big Society concept, rather than the specific activities of the Big Society Network itself):

• Civic Streets: The Big Society in Action - Demos

• Ten Big Questions About the Big Society - new economics foundation

• NPC Perspectives: Scaling Up for the Big Society - New Philanthropy Capital

More Information

Internal Links

• P2PCC

External Links

• Big Society Network (The) Home Page
• Big Society Blog (The)
• Twitter