There are undoubtedly some new opportunities for the VCF sector in the Big Society as well as challenges. It IS more than just about cutting back, but a lot of the rhetoric associated with it offends people already involved in the sector and gives the impression the Coalition discovered volunteering and volunteerism in June sometime.

I heard this poem, written by a charity worker, a few weeks ago on Radio 4 and then heard other people repeating it and wanted to share it:

Don't say we didn't warn you
You knew this day would come
We said the ways of Labour would go wrong

And the poor and the disabled know in their heart of hearts
They've had it far too easy for too long

Cos we're all in this together
Them and us and you and me
We're all in this together,
This Big Society

Adversity makes every man in to his neighbours' brothers
Now we're all in this together
But some of us are more in it than others

There's a million public sector workers we can do without
We're making lists and crossing out their names
I only hope we have sufficient civil servants left
To process two million new dole claims

So we'll fire the cops and firemen and we'll fire the teachers too,
We'll slash the welfare budgets with a cheer
But we won't close down tax-loopholes or go after Vodaphone
We'll have no politics of envy here!

Cos we're all in this together
We all face tougher days
Except those of us with trust funds who will probably be ok.

We stand and we're united,
Of this there is no doubt
Cos we're all in this together
But some of us may never get back out

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