History of the Voluntary Community Sector in the UK?

Question

I need to summarise the history of the Voluntary Community Sector in the UK and am struggling to find information on this

Answer 1

Jeez - you probably want to go back as far as the 19th Century philanthropists, usually middle-class women excluded from paid employment, home visitors imposing middle-class family values on the poor bloody working- class. Oh the irony. The Charities Organisation Society - look them up. Although the COS "workers" are more or less recognised as the first social workers... you may also want to look at the role of the voluntary sector following the introduction of the free-market into welfare in the 1980s. Are the 80s history yet? They do feel so long ago :o))

Answer 2

I know The Samaritans began in 1953, it was started by a young Reverend Chad Varah, who was sickened by the suicide of a 13 year old girl some years before, thinking she was dying because her periods had just started. ( just one of the many things never discussed in those days?)

Prior to this date  and probably long after 1953, Suicide was a criminal offense and so, many people didn't talk about their feelings and ended up committing suicide.

Chad Varah set up a listening service  for people to go and talk to him and his helpers.

Answer 3

this is a huge subject - perhaps you could take just one particular area?

I didn't haave time originally but here is a link