This group is a Governor-led initiative which is made up of representatives from the 11 voluntary and charitable organisations operating within the Trust.  The group exists to

• To develop and strengthen internal links between the groups to provide better support and networking opportunities.
• To raise the profile of volunteers and encourage more people to become volunteers
• To encourage individual Members of these groups to become active Members of the Foundation Trust.

There are two main areas of work the group are focussing upon at present.  The first is the development of a voluntary services directory to promote and inform about the charitable and voluntary organisations operating within the Trust and provide contact details for external organisations operating within the local community.  The directory will be launched at the ‘Partners in Health’ Open event on 13^th September 2006 where the Voluntary Services Forum will have a strong presence.  The group is also planning a volunteering fair which will take place at St Luke’s Hospital during the latter part of the year.