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Minister volunteers with Newark Mind
Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, today joined volunteers at Newark Mind to help prepare lunch for people attending the charities' resource centre. As well as pitching in with the work, the minister saw first hand the contribution that volunteers make to helping people with mental health problems.
Newark Mind provides a range of social and educational services to people who have or once had mental health problems. Trained volunteers offer advice, support and information.
Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, said:
'I
can't speak highly enough of the work that Newark Mind are
doing and the achievements of their volunteers. It's all too
easy for people suffering from mental illness to become isolated
and cut off from their community, these people stop that
happening. I want to give more people the opportunity to volunteer
in all sorts of ways. I had a great time lending a hand and got a
lot out of it myself.'
Nic Roberts, Business Manager, Newark Mind
said:
'Today's visit has been an excellent
opportunity for members, volunteers and staff of Newark Mind to
showcase their work and their achievements both locally and nationally.
'Volunteers play a pivotal role in the running of the organisation, from membership of the management committee to emotional support and practical help within the Resource Centre. Without a team of committed volunteers Newark Mind would be unable to fulfil its role in providing education, activities, information and support systems for people with mental health issues.
'This visit was important in both acknowledging the work of volunteers and the voluntary sector in general and raising the profile of the work of Newark Mind and the huge efforts of those involved.'
Nationally, some 73 per cent of all adults volunteered in the last 12 months. The Government is committed to supporting more people in high quality volunteering opportunities and has invested £117million in the youth volunteering charity 'v' and £12million into the 'Goldstar' and 'Volunteering for All' programmes which encourage people who are less likely to volunteer.
Volunteers week 2008 runs from 1 to 7 June.
Notes to Editors
1. Newark Mind exists to provide services to
people who have had or are experiencing mental health difficulties
and to support their families and close others. They to provide
services which are relevant, accessible, responsive, inclusive and
user led.
http://www.newarkmind.org.uk/Mind02/Welcome.html
2. As part of the Cabinet Office, the Office of the Third Sector leads work across government to support the environment for a thriving third sector (voluntary groups, social enterprises and charities). http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/
3. v works to inspire a new generation of young volunteers (aged 16-25) in England. It is an independent charity which aims to create a culture where it is natural for young people to volunteer and for organisations to support them. http://www.wearev.com
4. The GoldStar Exemplar Programme is a national initiative designed to encourage and enable voluntary organisations and projects throughout England to realise the potential of volunteers, mentors and befrienders from socially excluded or disadvantaged groups. http://www.goldstar.org.uk/
5. Volunteering For All is a government programme which tackles barriers to volunteering, funds high quality volunteering opportunities and work to raise the profile of volunteering. http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/volunteering/volunteering_for_all.aspx
6. Volunteers' Week (1-7 June) is the UK's annual celebration of the work volunteers do. Events are held across the country to recognise, reward and recruit volunteers http://www.volunteersweek.org.uk/ It is co-ordinated by Volunteering England, a charity which brings different groups together to support volunteering http://www.volunteering.org.uk/
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