UK: Volunteering talent scouted

A liberal democrat, Rabbi and mother of two with a hefty list of third sector experiences behind her will be Brown?s adviser for volunteering. The liberal democrats have already had to relinquish two of their peers to the new labour government recently (Shirley Williams and Lord Lester of Herne Hill) so it is no wonder that they turned their noses up at Lady Neuberger?s decision to accept the offer, even though she will not have to give up her place on Liberal Democratic benches.

Dame Julia Neuberger, 57, is a Lib Dem life peer and health spokesperson in the Lords. She is former Chief Executive of the Kings Fund – an independent charitable foundation – and, among other things, has been Chair of Camden and Islington CHS NHS Trust, Civil Service Commissioner, Chair of the Patients? Association and Patron of the Prisoners of Conscience Appeal Fund.

Dame Neuberger justifies her decision, which was not an easy one to take, she says, and which followed a long discussion with Menzies Campell, Lib Dem leader and several days of indecision, by saying that she not only shares Brown?s vision of a more actively involved society but actually believes that he is serious about it.

But what can be expected from Neuberger?s appointment? Her passionate feelings about the role that volunteering should play in civil society certainly indicate that she will promote policies that support and improve volunteering. However she also believes that the range of action that volunteering has should be extended. ?Some of our institutions can become remarkably closed? says Neuberger, who adds that she is eager to ?change the flavour? of public services.

How? The new volunteering champion is adamant that volunteers have additional qualities to offer, for example the provision of health services: ?professionals hate hearing this but volunteers can do things that professionals can?t?. She mentions a cancer support group set up and run by volunteers who had themselves survived the illness. ?All the best doctors and nurses in the world can?t do that ? its about being independent, being strong and being there for someone? she comments, also saying that an understanding of society requires the conflicting loyalties that are faced by professionals to be acknowledged.

Brown demonstrated his government?s approach in A recently released green paper on The Governance of Britain stated that the government would endeavour to ?find new ways to enable people to become active citizens, empowered and fully engaged in local decision making?. In a country with a 20 million strong volunteer force such a promise, if not fulfilled, will not go unnoticed.

Although it is still early days (Neuberger?s appointment was made official in the first week of July) consultations can be expected to tackle issues such as the devolution of power, for example through a balloting system to decide on county spending and the improvement of public services delivery, as well as how to increase the accountability of local government, for example by obliging councils to respond to the community?s demands for action.

Another important aspect of Dame Julia?s future work can be expected to involve research into the nature of the role and activities carried out by volunteers in order to gain knowledge and understanding about their value. ?How and why people volunteer within their communities might provide some clues for the government to help make volunteering central to how individuals in society function? she says. According to Neuberger, one of the greatest difficulties involves finding a way to give recognition to the work that volunteers carry out, who adds that ?there needs to be a lot more saying thank you?.

Whether these good intentions will become good deeds, and whether Brown really will give the power to the people remains to be seen in October when the Commission is expected to report its findings.