An inquiry into the effects of an ageing population on the voluntary sector has been launched by the think tank New Philanthropy Capital, in partnership with the International Longevity Centre UK, another think tank.
The Commission on the Voluntary Sector and Ageing will be chaired by Lynne Berry, former chief executive of the volunteering charity RVS, and will meet for the first time today. It will look into the effects of ageing on how the voluntary sector will deliver services, raise money, engage with supporters and attract volunteers. It will also consider the effect of an older workforce.
NPC said that as well as building an understanding of how ageing affects the sector, the inquiry will look to engage the sector in thinking about how to adapt and change to meet the issues that come to light.
The commission will publish its initial findings in March and an interim report in the run-up to the 2015 general election. These will be followed later by a final report with recommendations for the future.
Other members of the commission are:
Stephen Burke, director of social enterprise, United for All Ages
Ken Burnett, founder and managing trustee, the Sofii Foundation
James Cochrane, vice-chairman, Raleigh International
Dan Corry, chief executive, NPC
Kristina Glenn, director, the Cripplegate Foundation
Baroness Sally Greengross, chief executive, ILC-UK
Javed Khan, chief executive, Victim Support
Keji Okeowo, youth participation manager, National Council for Voluntary Youth Services
Paul Palmer, professor of voluntary sector management, Cass Business School
Sonia Sodha, head of public services and consumer rights policy, Which?.
