Sustainable Livelihoods Analysis as a Response to the Crisis in the Community and Voluntary Sector. (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Goldstraw, Katy; Davidson, Eve; Packham, Carol
• Is Part Of: Illness, crisis & loss. Volume 28:Number 3(2020)
• Page Start: 195
• Page End: 217
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: sustainable livelihoods analysis -- crisis -- bereavement -- voluntary sector -- assets-based community development; Bereavement -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Sick -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Death -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Loss (Psychology) -- Periodicals; Terminal care -- Periodicals; 155.937
• DOI: 10.1177/1054137317715000
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1054-1373

Abstract

The aim of this article is to recognize the crisis currently experienced by the voluntary and community sector (VCS) and to consider a creative response to this crisis utilizing VCS assets. The article uses a creative assets based response to the VCS crisis, utilizing sustainable livelihoods' analysis (SLA) as a means of identifying VCS assets. SLA, traditionally used to explore vulnerabilities and assets at a household level, will be expanded and utilized to analyze the effects of austerity on small voluntary organizations. We use SLA as a theoretical lens through which to analyze our data, we propose that small VCS organizations can consider their position using SLA as a tool. The VCS can use SLA to consider its assets and vulnerabilities in the context of austerity; in engaging in this process, the VCS can recognize opportunities. The small VCS organization typically has high-quality community-based social capital, and it has a human capital and community knowledge. This integrated grassroots social capital expertise and strong community-based human capital is unique to the VCS. In mobilizing its assets, the VCS as a sector can seek to overcome the funding crisis that it is experiencing and develop creative solutions to austerity.