News Release Page Title

23 October 2002

GOVERNMENT FORUM LISTENS TO NORTH WEST COMMUNITY GROUPS

Community and Voluntary Groups in the North West today had the opportunity to put their concerns directly to top decision makers in the Government Departments that support their work.

They were invited to a special Joint Government Voluntary and Community Sector Forum meeting in the Verbal Arts Centre, Londonderry. The Forum consists of senior civil servants from every Government Department along with representatives from a cross-section of the voluntary and community sector.

Concerns about funding of groups in the North West were put to the meeting by a special delegation. Those attending also heard about the actions that have been identified by Government, in consultation with the sector, to help address these problems.

Dave Wall, Director of the Voluntary and Community Unit in the Department for Social Development and Joint Chair of the Forum said:

"We know from our own contacts and from recent press coverage, that groups in this area have real concerns about their future funding. These were brought to the attention of the Joint Forum and we discussed the various initiatives that Government is taking to address the concerns.

"These include the imminent release of £6million of special funding to help voluntary and community sector organisations continue to provide key services and the establishment of a special task force that will examine the future funding of the voluntary and community sector.

"We regret the decision of the North West Community Network to call for a day of stoppage. Disrupting vital services to older people, people with disabilities, children and women affected by domestic violence is not the best way to find a solution."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. The Joint Government Voluntary and Community Sector Forum is jointly chaired by Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector, the secretariat is also shared.

  2. The Forum provides a mechanism for general strategic discussion about issues affecting the voluntary and community sector and encourages the development of a shared approach to issues and concerns where possible. It meets three times a year.

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