Voluntary organisations to provide support for UK healthcare

The Department of Health has announced that 21 voluntary sector organisations will be working with the government to help improve health and wellbeing across the UK.

For the fourth year of the Health and Care Voluntary Sector Strategic Partner Programme, participating bodies will include Age UK, Carers UK, FaithAction, the Men's Health Forum, the National Housing Federation, Regional Voices and the Disability Partnership.

The organisations will use their expertise to inform and shape national policy on a variety of matters, sharing a funding pot of 3.5 million pounds to help them work in partnership with the Department of Health, NHS England and Public Health England.

Norman Lamb, the care and support minister, said: "This new programme will help develop and build strong and productive partnerships with the sector and support organisations to build capability more widely."

The aim of this project is to ensure that the expertise of voluntary and community bodies can be best utilised at national, regional and local levels.