Description

In decades of austerity, neoliberal governance, and cuts to public services, we’ve seen a steady increase in charity provision replacing public services. Is this a viable way to improve society, or do charities just paper over the cracks and support a failing government? Why do charity workers in Bristol keep going on strike? 

In this event we’ll discuss why modern capitalism seems to love charities, the hidden harms that reliance on charity can cause, and whether there are better ways to fix the world’s problems.

If you have time, we suggest reading this OpenDemocracy article in advance, which argues that “charities have become more than a safety net. They are a permanent feature of the government’s refusal to meet people’s basic needs.”

You could also check out this report about Second Step employees in Bristol going on strike against the charity.

What to expect

After an introductory talk, we will discuss the topic in small groups, with some time to feed back to the whole room. Most of our events have somewhere between 10-30 attendees. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to get involved, regardless of prior knowledge or whether you have attended before.

About Bristol Transformed

Bristol Transformed is a grassroots, volunteer-run, socialist education group. Bringing together activists, trade unionists, and everyone who wants to learn, we’re creating the space to discuss the most important issues facing us, equipping us with the skills and knowledge to transform Bristol and the world. We run an annual festival of politics, arts and culture in May, and weekly events throughout the rest of the year. See all our events here. Bristol Transformed is run by dozens of local people. Without new people coming in every year, we wouldn’t be able to maintain the same standard of political education events that you enjoy. If you’d be interested in joining us, sign up as a BT volunteer today and we’ll be in touch!