Burnham Health Centre

BURNHAM HEALTH CENTRE WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE EASTER HOLIDAY WEEKEND ON FRIDAY 18TH APRIL & MONDAY 21ST APRIL.

WE WILL REOPEN ON TUESDAY 22ND APRIL AT 8AM

Voluntary services and the council

Outside conventional NHS services there is significant support provided by charitable organisations and also the local council (which often provides a coordination role). These services provide some important support for health and can make a real difference.

In addition, becoming a volunteer can bring benefits not just to the local community but also for yourself. How to become a volunteer is also covered below.

Voluntary organisations and local council support

The voluntary sector

Support is available in a number of areas including:

Health conditions
If you look under different conditions, including long term conditions, in Bucks Health Hub you will find there is a lot of excellent local and national support which comes from organisations outside the NHS, see under

Patient groups
There is also support for specific groups such as veterans and carers which is covered under

Voluntary organisations near the practice
You can find voluntary organisations local to the practice which may be able to support you.

Local charities and activities
There is a data base of local voluntary organisations including activities and services under

The local council

Beyond the local council’s role in social care (see under Support in your own home, a care home and a nursing home) it has an important role in areas which can affect health including providing information on local charitable organisations. You can find an overview under

Self-referral pathways to voluntary organisations and council services

Common self-referrals

You can directly access the many council services and voluntary services without needing to see your GP first. Some of these local services have been listed in the section “Outside practice self-referrals”, see under

This includes

  • Wellbeing (mental, physical and social wellbeing)
  • Social support (e.g., school and further education, work and finances)
  • Potentially vulnerable people (e.g., carers and veterans)

Support for the social side of life

You can also review voluntary and council support for the social side of life, see under

Becoming a volunteer

The benefits of volunteering

The benefits of volunteering are both for your community but also for yourself.

As Do IT suggests some of the benefits of volunteering include:

  • Connecting with other people in a meaningful way improves social wellbeing
  • Doing good things makes people healthier and happier
  • Volunteering is one of the best things that people can do to improve their wellbeing
  • Social wellbeing means a happier, healthier and more connected world
    “About Do It.” Do IT website. Retrieved 14 February 2023.

Volunteering opportunities

There is information on volunteering locally including organisations which match volunteers with organisations, see under

There may be opportunities for you to volunteer and help within the local community associated with the practice, see under

Skip to content