# Big society? Ahead of you, David….

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2010/09/24/big-society-ahead-you-david/
- Published: 2010-09-24T15:22:30+01:00
- Author: Becky Coleman

There’s been such a lot in the media about Big Society but at [easyfundraising](http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk)
the causes we work with have been putting the ideas behind David Cameron’s new initiative
into practice for years – working tirelessly and often without adequate funds to
make a difference in whatever way they can.

In the course of my job, I talk to fundraisers from a wide variety of causes and
I am constantly amazed by the dedication shown.

### Making a difference

Take Linda Taylor and her colleagues at [Hantsar](http://www.hantsar.org) (Hampshire
Search & Rescue), a group of volunteers who help the police search for vulnerable
missing persons. They can be called out at any time of the day or night, fund their
own vehicle costs and rely on fundraising for essential equipment like radios, first
aid training and uniforms. Or [Jill Parker](http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/blog/cause-of-the-month-july-2010)
who is raising money for [Marie Curie Cancer Care](http://www.mariecurie.org.uk)
by scaling Kilimanjaro next month. Or Explorer Scout Luke Robertson who gives up
his evenings and weekends to help organise fundraising events for his scout group.
I could go on, there are so many stories to choose from, within our group of members
alone.

## Advertisement

And for many, fundraising is not their day job. They have families, jobs and commitments,
yet they all take time out to make a difference to their good cause, be it by raising
awareness, volunteering, organising events, shaking a collecting tin or shopping
online.

### Social society

Twitter is a great example of Big Society in action. Tuesday has become Charity 
Tuesday and it makes me smile every single week to see how many charities and good
causes take a few minutes to give a shout out to one another. And Follow Friday,
where causes actively encourage their followers to follow other causes too. They
don’t have to do that; they want to do it and I think that’s great.

Social media seems to be a great medium for causes to tap into a network of people
who want to help out. There are plenty of tweets asking for people in a particular
part of the country to get involved in a specific event and no shortage of replies
and retweets. If you’re reading this as a fundraiser, be on the lookout for people
within your networks who want to help and tap into the resources already available
to you. It seems many people would love to help out but they just need to know where,
when and what. If you’re a supporter of a good cause, follow them on twitter, like
them on Facebook and ask them how you can help in a meaningful way.

So, call it Big Society or call it something else – the fact is there have always
been people who do things because they care and there always will be. And if you’re
reading this, you probably fit into that category.

_Becky Coleman is Web Content Manager at [easyfundraising](http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk)._