Royal Voluntary Service

Royal Voluntary Service is there for vulnerable people in hospitals, homes, and communities giving life-changing support when it matters most

Since 1938, Royal Voluntary Service (previously WVS and WRVS), has supported those in need, with around three million people giving their time to help others. During WW2 we recruited one million volunteers to help those in need; we were supporting victims of the Blitz and managing the evacuation of children from the cities. Since then, we’ve responded to numerous emergencies and social challenges across Britain to tackle the needs of the day, and most recently we have been on the front line helping communities and the NHS deal with the cost-of-living crisis and the aftermath of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Our services today reach people at scale in hospitals, at home and in their communities delivered through a variety of different channels including one-to-one, in groups and online

Your generosity could help us recruit, train and place more volunteers so that we can continue to be a lifeline for older and vulnerable people throughout Britain.

By increasing the number of volunteers, we can help more people and continue to:

• Guide patients to clinics – this relieves pressure on the NHS and helps them to run on time
• Provide safe transport to and from medical appointments
• Support people returning home from hospital following illness and treatment
• Help with collecting shopping and prescriptions
• Provide companionship and safe and well telephone calls
• Deliver specialist dementia support groups. These are designed to help those who live with dementia to maintain a level of independence, enjoy their lives for as long as possible, and to offer some comfort and reassurance to carers when they’re facing unfamiliar or difficult situations
• Help with transport to local groups, activities and other services
• Companionship at home and acting as a bridge to wider community involvement, including our social clubs
• Encourage and support older and vulnerable people to access online activities, such as our Virtual Village Hall