Voluntary service, which is at the heart of the Government’s Big Society initiative, could give thousands of unemployed middle aged people a new purpose in life, the deputy leader of Birmingham City Council has suggested.

Paul Tilsley said more than half of 55 to 64-year-olds in Birmingham were out of work, but their talents could be utilised to help run community projects and social enterprises.

Addressing a Be Birmingham summit on the Big Society, Coun Tilsley (Lib Dem Sheldon) said: “I can’t think of anything worse than waking up in the morning and not having a reason to get up and do something.

“There is an enormous opportunity to help a reservoir of people who, I believe, need some purpose in their lives.”

Coun Tilsley warned that the £330 million of government spending cuts imposed on the council over the next four years was bound to hit services.

People would have to become more resilient and be prepared to “stand on their own feet”.

But it was crucial to find ways of protecting the most vulnerable people in society,” he said. Coun Tilsley added: “With fewer resources we need to encourage citizens to take more responsibility for their own lives rather than automatically turning to the state to help them.

“It is not just about money. All the evidence shows that we are happier individuals if we have control over our own lives, have the confidence to take part and have a stake in society.

“Many people are already actively involved in community work.

‘‘This is what the Big Society is all about,’’ he said. “But other people don’t have the social networks and feel isolated in their communities, cut off from friends and families.

“The Big Society can help people to build relationships with their neighbours so they are not isolated and alone.

“I want to encourage communities and citizens to become more capable and resilient.”

He said Birmingham already had one of the most successful voluntary programmes in the country, putting the city in a better position to cope with reduced public services.

The Big Society model is likely to be tested in both adults and children’s social services, where the council has to make substantial cash savings.

Only adults deemed to be in “critical” need of care will continue to receive council-funded social services.