Working with the voluntary sector

Abstract

This chapter will explore the problems and opportunities for joint working between community health services and the voluntary sector. The chapter will focus on the nature and organization of the voluntary sector; the constraints under which voluntary organizations operate; the potential for joint working between community services and voluntary organizations and the barriers and opportunities to joint working.

Most health authorities do not adequately recognise and support the contribution of voluntary organisations. Yet their strategies to promote good health and improve the quality of care, if they are to be effective, need to include work with voluntary organisations as an integral part of many services. (NAHA 1987)