The 'Big Society’ has become a key element of the new coalition Government. Whilst the term itself is new, and accompanied by the ‘new language’ of social action, there are continuities between current policy objectives and those of the previous Government.

Let’s be clear here, this isn’t a brand new idea...

The term below (or under) the radar has come into common parlance to describe small, community based, organisations and activities in the third sector, where either the group is not registered with the Charity Commission, does not appear on other national registers (such as Companies House), or has limited and uncertain income. 

Yet, initial research by the 'below the radar' work-stream at the Third Sector Research Centre indicates that the term itself is controversial. Its use generates a range of both negative - and positive - responses.