Community, Employees
October 01 1999
by Mike TuffreyWho remembers the Make a Difference initiative? Launched to much applause by John Major in 1994, it was meant to put in place a functioning volunteering infrastructure across the UK giving effect to his big idea - the 'active citizen'. Fast-forward five years, and we have Tony Blair's 'giving age'. Lo and behold, a few more millions for a new national initiative, but only enough money for five local schemes.
Early next year, ONE20 plans much razzmatazz to interest more people in giving their time. Yet in most towns and cities, an interested but uninvolved volunteer still cannot easily and quickly find an effective use for his or her skills and enthusiasm. Opinion surveys repeatedly show more would volunteer given the opportunity - the spirit is willing, but the mechanisms are weak. The sad thing is the government has again put enough money on the table to cause a stir but not to solve the organisational deficiencies.
That makes Cares InCorporated particularly welcome. With considerable effort, the private sector has got ten local schemes up and running, offering flexible points of entry for employee volunteers. The best contribution individual companies can now make is to work in partnership at local level, supporting volunteer bureaux, councils for voluntary service and indeed their own employee enthusiasts to spread the word about opportunities in their area.