ABSTRACT

First Published in 1998. This is Volume XVII of eighteen of a series on the Sociology of Public Policy, Welfare and Social Work. Voluntary work is undertaken for three main reasons; first, there are jobs to be done which cannot be or at least will not be done by paid personnel; second, the opportunity to give service meets a personal need felt by individual people; and third, voluntary action is a powerful force for social progress. These three reasons provide the explanation and the justification for the existence of voluntary work. The purpose of this book is to examine the present position and future role of voluntary work in the United Kingdom and to analyse its value to the individual and to the community. Its limitations as well as its achievements will be considered and criticism as well as praise will be recorded.

part I|188 pages

Voluntary Workers in Action

chapter Chapter I|79 pages

Health and Welfare

chapter Chapter II|14 pages

Hospitals

chapter Chapter III|32 pages

Children and Young People

chapter Chapter IV|18 pages

Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners

chapter Chapter V|12 pages

Information and Advice

chapter Chapter VI|13 pages

Race Relations

chapter Chapter VII|18 pages

Neighbourly Help

part II|48 pages

The Volunteer and the Community

chapter Chapter VIII|12 pages

Voluntary Work and the Volunteer

chapter Chapter IX|10 pages

Voluntary Work and the Community

chapter Chapter X|24 pages

The Future of Voluntary Work