COVID-19 and the Voluntary and Community Sector in the UK

Abstract

The voluntary sector, often working closely with public agencies, individuals or informal groups of citizens, has been central to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including by meeting basic needs, highlighting new needs and existing inequalities, and coordinating responses. This edited collection brings together many of the key academics, and voices from practice, carrying out new, vital and vibrant research into the impact of the pandemic on the voluntary sector in the UK, the manifold ways it has responded to new challenges and the longer-term consequences for the sector and its workforce, volunteers and beneficiaries. Collectively, we seek to document and highlight the ways the sector has responded and adapted, and what can be learnt to maximise its contribution in future crises. The book consists of 18 short and accessible chapters which together will be of wide interest to researchers, practitioners and policy makers concerned with civil society and public policy. The book offers a comprehensive account of UK-based research on the impacts on and response of the voluntary sector to the COVID-19 pandemic, by leading academics, policy makers and practitioners.