Civil Society
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Robert
writes frequent blog content for Civil Society, an independent news,
publishing and events company focused entirely on charities and other
civil society organisations. Here you can find links and teasers to his
published content on the site - membership to their exclusive content is
completely free.
11 May 2012 Is my reality the same as your reality? What's the difference between fundamentalist Christians and social entrepreneurs? Not a lot, sometimes, says Robert Ashton. 24 April 2012 Chinese takeaway Robert Ashton mulls over the motivations behind the growing enthusiasm for social enterprise. 13 April 2012 Let's put some enterprise into LEPs With a dwindling government pot, communities need to take ownership of their Local Enterprise Partnerships, says Robert Ashton. 26 March 2012 When networking alone is not enough Voluntary sector people need to step out of their comfort zone and learn the language of business if they are to unlock new income streams, advises Robert Ashton. 01 March 2012 Cut out the jargon, I'm drowning in acronyms Robert Ashton is left flummoxed by the confusing architecture of jargonistic accronyms and non-joined-up processes encountered in setting up a new hospice. Surely there is some way to ease the burden, he asks. 15 February 2012 Do you believe in miracles? Robert Ashton takes issue with the view that only faith groups have come forward to try to fill the void left by public spending cuts. 06 February 2012 Hold tight - we're moving! Robert Ashton outlines the benefits of investing in community development finance institutions. 23 January 2012 Don't just stand there shouting, say something useful Opposing the status quo is all well and good, says Robert Ashton, but much more effective if you can propose a proper alternative. 13 January 2012 Public sector procurement: inbetween a rock and a hard place The problem of public sector procurement is not the process, but what comes before, says Robert Ashton. He suggests there is another way to decide what contracts are needed. 16 December 2011 Would you let George Osborne shake your piggy bank? Robert Ashton has an idea for how to persuade people to invest in their own communities. 13 December 2011 A grave mistake Christmas and the new era of austerity should encourage everyone to reflect on what's really important, says Robert Ashton. 21 September 2011 'Community Green' - a flash of inspiration or a flash in the pan? The majority of charities must now fend for themselves, but what are the alternatives to traditional fundraising? Robert Ashton offers some words of wisdom on the phenomenon of a new social impact model. 10 August 2011 Sweeping change: riots and the Big Society The recent riots have done more to illustrate the concept of Big Society than the government has achieved since the last election, says Robert Ashton. 19 July 2011 Press for change The phone-hacking scandal holds some clues as to why the Big Society has struggled to get off the ground. But the rapidly-shifting media landscape offers great opportunities for campaigners, says Robert Ashton. 26 June 2011 Is the answer to Big Society inertia stuck to the bottom of your shoe? After spending an hour with Nick Hurd, Robert Ashton is certain the Big Society will take root, though not before the next election. 16 June 2011 Dying to meet you Robert Ashton envisages a future where a network of comfortable assisted-suicide centres are run as social enterprises. 01 June 2011 It's OK to wibble while you piddle Robert Ashton unpicks the true meaning of diverse, service user-led social-enterprise organisations. 11 May 2011 Virtual reality: Fighting government bureaucracy Robert Ashton succeeded in persuading the government to make a positive change to the benefits system. Or so he thought… 03 May 2011 Gay adoption or rich barristers – which would you choose? In light of the recent Catholic Care appeal decision, Robert Ashton asks if donors would rather their money went in pockets of barristers or towards helping gay couples to adopt a child. 20 April 2011 Spending cuts: have you had the snip yet? New blogger Robert Ashton likens statutory funding cuts to a financial vasectomy and suggests enterprise is the answer. |