Those people working for voluntary and community care organisations may be set to benefit from a multimillion pound financial boost, it has been revealed.

Earlier today (April 2nd), care services minister Ivan Lewis announced that the department of health is to give some £7 million for local community projects which encourage people to volunteer within the health and social care sector as part of its Opportunities for Volunteering programme.

Meanwhile, over £17 million will be contributed by the department to those groups which are deemed to be offering good-quality health and social care.

As part of the section 64 awards, more than 220 continuing grants will be financed through this investment with a further 150 new funds being made available.

Overall the government is offering a total of £24 million in grants.

Ivan Lewis, care services minister, said: "The voluntary sector has a vital role to play in delivering innovative, patient focused health and social care services."

Mr Lewis added that this wave of financial support will be able to "provide essential services for a wide range of people".

Following on from such investment, it may be possible that third sector groups are able to better maintain sustainable efficiencies.

In other news, recent figures by Voluntary Sector Workforce Almanac 2007 revealed that over half of those operating in the voluntary sector are employed in some kind of social work.

More about sustainable efficiencies.