COVID-19 pandemic: the essential role of the voluntary sector in emergency response and resilience planning

Bynner, C. , McBride, M. and Weakley, S. (2022) COVID-19 pandemic: the essential role of the voluntary sector in emergency response and resilience planning. Voluntary Sector Review, 13(1), pp. 167-175. (doi: 10.1332/204080521X16220328777643)

Abstract

This research note highlights the need to engage the voluntary sector in strategic emergency response and resilience planning with the local state. It draws on qualitative fieldwork in two Scottish local authorities, which explored service responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in high-poverty neighbourhoods. The data comprised 25 interviews with front-line workers and senior managers in voluntary sector and public sector organisations. Interviews were conducted during the spring 2020 lockdown and subsequent easing of restrictions. The article employs Young’s (2000) models of government to analyse the relationship between voluntary organisations and the state. The findings indicate that this iterative crisis requires the relational skills of the voluntary sector to supplement the local state and provide a sustainable response to the needs of vulnerable populations. There is a need for a new strategic and complementary relationship, one that fully engages locally embedded voluntary organisations at all stages of emergency response and resilience planning.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Funding: This work was supported by the Scottish government under the grant: Children’s Neighbourhoods Scotland
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bynner, Dr Claire and Weakley, Dr Sarah and Mcbride, Dr Maureen
• Authors: Bynner, C., McBride, M., and Weakley, S.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education; College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Educational Leadership & Policy; College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences
• Journal Name: Voluntary Sector Review
• Publisher: Policy Press
• ISSN: 2040-8056
• ISSN (Online): 2040-8064
• Published Online: 16 July 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 Policy Press
• First Published: First published in Voluntary Sector Review 13(1): 167-175
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
305997		Children's Neighbourhoods Scotland Design-Based Research	Christopher Chapman	Scottish Government (SCOTGOV)	N/A	SS - Public Policy