GCHQ is delighted to be involved in the launch of 3 Sector Match. Just one example of the way in which business expertise has been utilised to support the voluntary sector is through the use of IT specialists. Working with the Neighbourhood Projects Network, GCHQ is helping to establish an IT strategy and review the ongoing support arrangements for their IT facilities.

Other areas of current community involvement includes providing a Trustee to the Hesters Way Partnership and mentors to assist the Young Enterprise Scheme, as well as school governors, magistrates, youth workers and a wide range of other voluntary tasks. Support is also provided to schools through the Paired Reading Scheme and by HR specialists conducting mock interviews with students.

Alan Thompson, who co ordinates GCHQ’s support for the community says “As a large employer in Gloucestershire, GCHQ is very much aware of its social responsibility to support the community, yet this needs to be balanced to ensure that our resources are not unduly deflected from our crucial ‘day job’ in protecting UK interests. 3 Sector Match provides an excellent opportunity for companies and organisations to share their experiences and to work together to assist in supporting some of the needs of the community”.