From Placards to Partnership: the changing nature of community activism and infrastructure in Manchester, UK and Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

First paragraph: This report details the findings of a comprehensive cross-national analysis of how new sites of local governance, particularly partnerships, act to encourage or discourage voluntary activism. It is based upon findings from a two-year research project 'Placing Voluntary Activism' conducted in Manchester, UK and Auckland Aotearoa New Zealand between 2005  and 2007. The research design comprised a questionnaire survey of voluntary community organisations (VCOs) operating in the fields of mental health and community safety followed by 128 interviews with VCOs, key figures from the local, regional and national statutory sector and activists in these two fields of interest.