§ Mr. Tim Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give further encouragement to the growth of local self-help and mutual aid groups dealing with specific health or social problems or conditions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenThere are hundreds of local self help and mutual aid groups throughout the country which make a significant contribution to meeting health or social service needs. The sorts of groups I have in mind are, for example, those of people looking after heavily dependent relatives or stroke support groups. Some support by way of advice or information can often make the difference between a group continuing to flourish or fading away. Local voluntary organisations can provide such support if they have the resources to do so.
I am therefore making available up to £1.75 million to help strengthen local advice and support services provided by local voluntary organisations for self help and mutual aid groups formed round specific health or social conditions or problems.
The money will be used to explore ways of helping and supporting self-help groups by for example, providing advice, information, and help with places to meet. It will do this by funding for three years about 20 local projects under the wing of existing local voluntary organisations such as councils for voluntary service. Each project will be designed to help existing or potential self help groups in their areas.
The scheme has been designed in co-operation with and will be run by a group of national voluntary organisations who are coming together for this purpose under the title of the Self Help Alliance.