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Department of Health launches volunteer strategy consultation 

3 June 2008

Health Secretary Alan Johnson has launched a four-month consultation to improve support for volunteers in the NHS, social care and third sector, and to encourage more volunteering opportunities.

The consultation, 'Towards a strategy to support volunteering in health and social care' will lead to a national volunteering strategy next year.

Mr Johnson launched the consultation at St Bartholomew's Hospital, in London, after spending the morning working as volunteer in the hospital shop and on the wards.

The aim of the consultation and subsequent strategy 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; and,
• allow more coherent investment to support their involvement

The consultation will run until 30 September 2008, with a view to publication of a final strategy and implementation plan in early 2009.

For further information please visit the Department of Health website.

• Towards a strategy to support volunteering in health and social care: consultation [external website]