Evidence library

Mapping the Big Society is a two-year project covering England, locating where voluntary organisations are based and which people make the biggest contribution to civil life. This working paper compares the patterns of activity in prosperous versus deprived areas. The researchers found that the number of organisations in prosperous areas is much higher than in more deprived areas and that 40 per cent of organisations work at neighbourhood level. They also found that 31 per cent of the population provide 87 per cent of voluntary hours and 79 per cent of charitable giving. From this, the researchers identified a "civic core" of people who contribute a disproportionate amount of time and money. Those in it are likely to be middle-aged, well-educated and based in prosperous areas.