Background to our work with the voluntary sector

The Men’s Health Forum was appointed as a strategic partner to the Department of Health in February 2009. The Forum has been tasked to work with the voluntary sector, to raise the profile of men’s health inequalities, to support voluntary sector organisations to work to improve men’s health and to establish an active third sector network focused on men’s health inequalities. The MHF is also working closely with the Department, to ensure that men’s health is incorporated into national policy and service development.

What is the Strategic Partnership with the Department of Health?

The new strategic partnership system follows a Department of Health strategic review of third sector funding and investment and will see the new partners 'working together to improve knowledge and skills in the health and social care third sector'. Partners will be 'at the heart of shaping policy, reflecting the sector’s views' and contributing to improving health and well-being outcomes for individuals and communities. The Department of Health took on 11 strategic partners from the voluntary sector in 2009, with a further 5 joining in 2010. The full list of partners for 2010/11 is below:

• Age UK (Age Concern England and Help the Aged)
• Carers UK, Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads
• Faith Action Network (Lifeline)
• Men's Health Forum
• Mental Health Providers Forum (MHPF)
• NACRO and Action for Prisoners Families
• National Association of Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA)
• National Children's Bureau (NCB)
• National Council for Palliative Care (NCPC)
• National Heart Forum
• Race Equality Foundation (REF)
• RADAR/National Centre for Independent Living /Shaping Our Lives National User Network
• Regional Voices (Regional Voluntary Sector Networks)
• Royal British Legion and Combat Stress
• Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG) and National Care Forum (NCF)
• Women’s Health and Equality Consortium
 

What does the programme of work entail?

The project will run initially until the end of March 2012. During that time we aim to:

Build a national network of voluntary sector organisations who are engaged in men’s health issues
Produce regular communications for this national network through the dissemination of e-bulletins
Develop the Men’s Health Forum website to include online resources to support third sector organisations to improve men’s health
Respond to Department of Health consultations relevant to men’s health
Develop interpretations of Department of Health policy for voluntary sector organisations and health professionals
Develop a project database of good practice in men’s health, so that information can be shared amongst voluntary sector organisations
If you would like any further information on the project please contact us here.