I was delighted to discuss the challenges and opportunities of voluntary work, as I met with local organisations in Fareham.
Taking questions at a meeting of Community Action Fareham, I addressed issues including support for medical conditions such as diabetes and macular degeneration, services for people living with dementia, how to make our communities safer, and many other specific concerns. Around 30 representatives of local organisations and charities attended the event. It was the second time Suella has spoken to the group, having given a talk to a similar meeting in October, and she has also individually met and visited many of the groups represented.
It was great to meet with Community Action Fareham again, to hear the concerns of their members. They had questions on a wide range of subjects, which reflects the breadth of the important work they do for people locally. We owe such a huge debt of gratitude to our charities and voluntary organisations in Fareham. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit and meet with many of them over the last year or so, and I know how vital a role they play. It’s always been a belief of mine that it is community organisations and social enterprises that can offer the best solutions to many of our social problems, and the role of government should be to support them in the work they do.
The Government has recently passed the Charities Act in Parliament, giving the Charity Commission new and strengthened powers to tackle abuse of charity more effectively. It also provides stronger protection for charities from individuals who are unfit to be charity trustees.