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10 June 2008

Volunteering in health and social care consultation

Mentoring and befriending highlighted by MBF to Department of Health Reference Group

Health Secretary Alan Johnson launches a six-month consultation Towards a strategy to support volunteering in health and social care to consider how to improve support for volunteers in the NHS, social care and third sector.

MBF has advised the Department of Health Reference Group regarding volunteering strategies for health and social care, looking at the opportunities that mentoring and befriending can bring.

The aim of the consultation is to: • Raise the esteem and profile of volunteering
• Help improve management and support for volunteers
• Support more robust evaluation of the outcomes and benefits of volunteering
• Allow more coherent investment to support their involvement

The consultation seeks to engage organisations across the public and third sectors in health and social care to debate the potential for volunteering to contribute to improved health and well-being for patients, carers and service users.

The consultation closes on 30 September 2008 with a final strategy and implementation plan published in 2009.

Consultation document and further information