The funding comes from the Opportunities for Volunteering Scheme, a health department initiative which provides grants to local health and social care organisations, and is administered by Volunteering England. Projects for the next round of grants will involve volunteers in: health promotion; health advocacy; supported volunteering; support for people with specific health conditions; and befriending and support for people with specific health and social care needs.

Grants will run for three years and will provide between £10,000 and £35,000 per year. The deadline for preliminary applications is 30 July 2007 at 5pm.

Visit www.volunteering.org.uk for more information