ABSTRACT
Voluntary organisations have a tradition of providing more flexible and responsive services for their users than statutory organisations, and of having an advocacy role in campaigning on behalf of users and their needs. However, the rise of the consumerist ethos and the growth of the disability and user movements have challenged these traditional assumptions and voluntary organisations need to change and adapt if they are to continue to form strong alliances with service users. At the same time the development of user-controlled organisations shows they have a complementary part to play in the diverse voluntary sector. With appropriate support and resources they can become a significant force in bringing about change, addressing the power imbalance between service users and service providers and purchasers, and in developing innovative examples of good practice in service delivery.
