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TheBigSocietyNetworkTheChallenge

FlourishinglocalsocialenterprisesandneighbourhoodgroupshavetransformedthelivesofindividualsandcommunitiesthroughoutBritain,buildinguponthelong‐standingworkofnationalsocialorganisations

Yet,despitethesetremendoussuccessstories,manyBritishcitizens–facedwithhugeeconomic,environmentalandpersonalchallengesintheirdailylives–stillfeelisolated,disempowered,unequalanddisinterestedinciviclife:

Socialisolationandlonelinesshavereachedrecordlevelsamongstoldandyoungalike:7millionpeopleliveontheirowninEnglandandWales,and1in10ofthepopulationreportfeelinglonelyonaregularbasis

Communityfragmentationisincreasing,andtheBBC’sanalysisofcensusdatashowsthat97%ofcommunitiesaremorefragmentedthanin1971

Averagelifeexpectancycanvarybetweenwealthyandpoorareasbyover14years,andtherichest10%ofthepopulationare100timesaswealthyasthepoorest10%

Only39%ofpeoplefeelabletoinfluencelocaldecisions,andonly3%ofcitizensattendpublicmeetingsregularly

Only26%ofpeopletakepartinanyformal,monthlyvolunteeringactivityHowever,wehaveenteredanerainwhichanger,frustrationandasharperinterestinrealdemocracycanbechannelledintopositive,creativeenergyandaction.Thereisarealopportunitytotransformtherecentpoliticalandeconomiccrisesintoanopportunity,and,inthecontextofanewpoliticalera,helpcatalysemassengagementandparticipation.

TheBigSocietyVision

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AnewrelationshipbetweenCitizensandGovernment:acollectivedecision‐makingprocessinwhichbothareactiveandwillingco‐participants.Asocietyofempoweredindividuals,strongneighbourhoodgroups,andgreatercommunityparticipation.Asocietyinwhichmoremoney,resourcesandpowersarevestedlocally,therebybuildingbenefitsofincreasedtrust,morevisibleresultsandreducedbureaucracy.Asocietyinwhichsocialenterpriseisastrongandvaluedeconomicmodel,enablingmanypeopletoinvestconfidentlyinsocialoutcomesthroughtime,skillandmoney.

TheBigSocietyNetwork’sMission

WewanttoturnTheBigSocietyintoapractical,accessibleandrewardingrealityofeverydayvaluetocitizens,enablingthemtosuccessfullytakeactionintheirlocalareas.