Martin Sime: The voluntary sector is facing tough challenges

THE public expenditure crisis presents an opportunity to do things differently. Prevention, early intervention and new models of service design based on doing things with people and not to them must all play bigger, more enhanced roles in a new economic and political landscape. The alternative – to maintain existing patterns of services and the escalating costs of acute services, like prisons and hospitals – is unsustainable.

Public debate on the cuts agenda has proliferated over the past few months as a succession of vested interests have argued their corner.

Universities, the police and prison services and local government have all tried to deflect cuts towards other sectors, often with scare stories about riots and disorder.

This means that much of what we currently deliver is threatened by "public sector retrenchment" – the work of the voluntary sector is exposed because of its funding fragility.

Against this backdrop, Scotland's voluntary sector must look beyond a simple argument of self-preservation. We must be looking at where our sector can provide solutions, to find opportunities among the challenges.

Employment and citizen action is one area where the sector's track record is excellent – we work with some of the hardest to reach in society and help them fulfil their potential – to find meaningful work or take action in their community.

But whilst we should be wary of contributing to a culture of dependence, we must also stay true to our origins and continue to look out for the most vulnerable.

Our role has always been about helping those in need, about building the networks that create cohesive communities and about working towards a strong, sustainable Scotland.

If our politicians want to find a way out of this crisis, they must nurture and support that vital role, and they must start doing things differently.

• Martin Sime is the chief executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.