Volservnet Voluntary Services and Networking

2. Volservnet Voluntary Services and Networking A project in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Elderly and Community Care

3. The aim of Volservnet is the organisation of voluntary services in the main general hospital to patients and relatives, in the community and in the state residential homes for the elderly. The Volservnet project will also develop a network of health NGOs and provide capacity building events to enhance civil society contributions to the development of national health plans and policies and health EU directives and policies

4. Networking and Developing Health NGOs The setting up of a network affiliated to EPHA (European Public Health Alliance), to coordinate and support health NGOs, facilitate exchange of good and useful practices among health NGOs,to enhance service provision and coordinate participation of NGOs in the development of national health policies and plans, and EU health related directives and policies.

5. Capacity building events Capacity building events which aim to develop the health NGOs and individual volunteers will be organised. The events include training and development courses, workshops and seminars. The training events will focus on developing NGOs management and sustainability, volunteer’s personal development, information on health policies and issues and quality service.

6. Malta Health NGOs Network A Network of Maltese Health Non Governmental Organisations and Groups Aim of the MHNN The aim of the Malta Health NGOs Networkis to develop better coordination, collaboration, and capacity building through exchange of best practice among health NGOs

7. Operating Polices and systems of theMalta Health NGOs Network Malta Health NGOs Network is independent of the Government and any political party or organisation Malta Health NGOs Network seeks to build active participation of people who experience health problems and the organisations in which they participate in the structure of the network. Malta Health NGOs Network is open to a wide range of Health NGOs and groups Malta Health NGOs Network seeks to contribute and influence health related policies and National Action Plans. Malta Health NGOs Network seeks to contribute and influence EU health related directives and policies Malta Health NGOs Network seeks to network with other International and European health NGO networks Malta Health NGOs Network seeks to support health NGOs to disseminate health information Malta Health NGOs Network seeks To promote use of the EU Community Action Programmes funding among health NGOs

8. Main Activities of the Malta Health NGOs Network • Website • e-newsletter for staff, members and volunteers who work in Health NGOs • Thematic Seminars to discuss common underlying factors • Sub-committees to discuss health policies and welfare services with NGOs, groups, and persons that are themselves effected by the policies and systems, in order to make recommendations for the National Action Plans • Coordination Committee Meetings • Conferences – to bring together Health NGOs and Government ministries and agencies to develop and enhance policies and services related to health. • Dissemination of information on health matters among the general public, and more specifically among the media, Policy makers, Parliament, University Students, parents and educators.

9. A structure to operate the network • Coordination Committee • Made up of representatives from different health NGOs • NGOs /Groups Liaison person from all the health NGOs • Working groups / Sub committees and task forces • Advisory Group • Administration backup (Secretariat) – by MRC • The draft roles and responsibilities for the above have been developed by MRC