What Have Charities Ever Done for Us? The Stories Behind the Headlines

Introduction PART 1 What are charities, and why do we argue about them? The many faces of charities What has gone wrong? 'Stick to your knitting': the curbs on campaigning PART 2 Changing the world The health of the nation Equality, slavery and human rights Rights for women and gay liberation Protecting animals and the natural world PART 3 I mproving lives and communities Local action and self-help Supporting other people The wider world Community arts PART 4 A junior partner in the welfare state? Public service contracts Reducing the burden on the state Charities as pioneers PART 5 Preserving the past, preparing for the future Castles, canals and stately homes Museums and the perils of charitable status The minefield of charitable education Pushing the boundaries of medicine and science Part 6 The way ahead Reviews and strategies Charity governance: fit for purpose? Coming clean with the public The pursuit of independence Postscript