Policy Press

Enterprising care?

Unpaid voluntary action in the 21st century

By Irene Hardill and Sue Baines

Published

Sep 14, 2011

Page count

216 pages

ISBN

978-1847427212

Dimensions

240 x 172 mm

Imprint

Policy Press
Enterprising care?

More and more is being expected of volunteers and the voluntary sector in the UK. But what does it mean to be a volunteer today? This book seeks to add new insights into individual action in that part of the economy that is beyond the state and the market. Volunteering is examined from the perspective of the individual, the organisation, and the community (of place, identity or interest).

"This book, from authors who know their field very well, is a valuable resource, giving this reader, at last, a fresh sense of the complexity of unpaid voluntary action, a good sense of the reality on the ground and a range of useful ways to understand it." Marilyn Taylor, Journal of Social Policy

"Feeding directly into the current ideological discussions on Big Society, 'Enterprising care?' is essential reading for all interested in the future of the voluntary sector." Colin C Williams, Professor of Public Policy, University of Sheffield

Irene Hardill is Professor of Public Policy in the Department of Social Sciences, Northumbria University. She has extensive research experience in theorising work (paid and unpaid), volunteering and the voluntary and community sector

Susan Baines (156-2023) was Reader in Social Policy at Manchester Metropolitan University. She researched and published on public services, and had a particular interest in their reliance on unpaid work in the household and community.

Fixing Britain's 'broken' society: from the Third Way to Big Society; Theoretical underpinnings of voluntary work and voluntary organisations: work, care or enterprise?; Understanding the journeys of individual volunteers: demanding community concern, or demonstrating job readiness?; A professional paradox? 'Managing' volunteers in voluntary and community sector organisations; Voluntary and community sector organisations as enterprising care providers: keeping organisational values distinctive; Volunteering: an articulation of caring communities; Volunteering: caring for people like me; The big issue of the Big Society: mobilising communities alongside fiscal austerity