W1B-018 Belfast business 2-3.txt
Dr Gordon Crowe Queen's University BELFAST BT7 1NN

Dear Dr Crowe I am writing to let you know that the Voluntary Activity Unit (VAU) was re-launched as the Voluntary and Community Unit (VCU) on 20th May 2002.

The VAU was established within the old Department for Health and Social Services in 1993, and was intended to be the focal point for voluntary and community activity within the Northern Ireland Civil Service. The original remit of the Unit was to assume lead responsibility for voluntary and community sector development across Government and to provide the structures necessary for interdepartmental debate on key issues in the field. The Unit subsequently evolved to take on a much wider role and range of activities than was originally envisaged.

The Unit moved to the Department for Social Development following devolution and a review of the Unit's work was then commissioned. The central finding of the Review focussed on the cross-cutting nature of the work of the VAU, its need to provide increased support to other Departments in the development of effective and consistent relationships with the voluntary and community sector, and the importance of ensuring the sustainability of the voluntary and community sector. We have therefore changed our name to "The Voluntary and Community Unit".

If you would like to know more, an information leaflet about the work of the Unit is available from Vicki Haire, Voluntary and Community Unit, DSD, Churchill House, Victoria Square, Belfast, BT1 4SD. Tel. 018 9056 9318.

Yours sincerely, Dave Wall Director
