CABINET OFFICE News
Release (CAB/055/08) issued by The Government News Network on 29 May 2008
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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