2 Where did the voluntary sector come from?

Figure 3 Lady Buckingham selling roses for Alexandra Rose Day in London, a charitable fundraising event that started in 1912

You are now going to take a step back into the past to understand how and why early voluntary organisations were established, particularly those concerned with providing social welfare. This will help to give you a sense of the purpose of the voluntary sector today.

Colin Rochester, one of the founders of the Voluntary Action History Society, suggests that it is important to look at history. Writing in a book exploring historical perspectives on social policy and the role of voluntary organisations, he asks:

In other words, Rochester is highlighting aspects of continuity and change: many voluntary organisations emerged in the past because government did not provide for the needy. The UK has had a welfare state for many years and the standard of living and quality of life have improved for many people compared with the past, yet the voluntary sector still exists and is still needed.

Some of the best-known organisations in the UK today have a long history and many were founded by philanthropists, religious organisations or other groups of concerned people. They had usually identified a vulnerable group in society needing help, or a particular cause or issue that was not being addressed by government.

The examples in Box 1 give a sense of the history of some of the charities working in the UK.