In episode 58 we talk to Jim Minton, CEO of Toynbee Hall- the UK's oldest university settlement and an East End of London institution that has also played a key role in wider social reforms. We discuss the role of local civil society organisations and the opportunities and challenges that come with place-based philanthropy. Including:
- The history of Toynbee Hall
- Are enough charities today playing a role as drivers of social reform?
- Have recent changes such as the Lobbying Act or the use of advocacy clauses in grant contracts made this harder?
- Can the successes of place-based initiatives inform activities or policymaking at a regional or national level? How can organisations based in one place ensure they 'influence upwards'?
- Is "place" more complex than it is sometimes presented? I.e. at what geographic level do we feel a sense of belonging or identity?
- How do you coordinate philanthropy and voluntary action in a particular place without stifling it?
- Are place-based organisations particularly well-suited to adopting participatory approaches?
- What is the particular importance of shared physical space and community buildings in a local area?
- Does taking a place-based, rather than cause-based approach make it easier to address the multiple, cross-cutting needs of people and communities?
- Do you think people and communities always have the best answers to their own problems, or do they sometimes need organisations to act for them in their own best interest?
- What role can philanthropy and voluntary action play in building bridging social capital, bringing diverse communities together or fostering wider civic engagement?
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