Who we are

WRVS is an age positive national charity founded over 70 years ago.

We believe that every older person should have the opportunity and choice to get more out of life.

At a local community level we deliver personal and practical support through the power of local volunteers to support older people. 

At a national level we raise awareness of the issues older people face through our media campaigns and research and lobby the government for age related policy improvements.

We believe:

·         older people deserve choices to get more out of life

·         volunteers are vital and they can get as much out of volunteering as the people they help

·         all staff are entitled to understand and feel proud of the critical part they play in the success of WRVS

·         we can have a greater impact through working in partnership with others

·         everyone deserves the opportunity to both contribute and feel that they belong to their community.

Our History

We have more than 40,000 volunteer and 2,000 staff and help over 100,000 older people every month across the country.

Originally founded in 1938 as the Women’s Voluntary Services for Air Raid Precautions, WRVS celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2013.

WRVS was initially formed to help recruit women into the ARP movement assisting civilians during and after air raids by providing emergency rest centres, feeding, first aid, and perhaps most famously assisting with the evacuation and billeting of children.

By 1943 the organisation had over one million volunteers and was involved in almost every aspect of wartime life from the collection of salvage to the knitting of socks and gloves for merchant seamen. After the war WRVS transformed to become a leading organisation in the field of social care, pioneering the practices that formed the cornerstone of modern social services.

Since then our services have evolved and we are now a major service provider giving practical help, particularly for older people, to enable choice, independence and dignity so people can enjoy an improved quality of life - all with the help of more than 40,000 volunteers.

Working for Us

Ninety per cent of our customers say it would make a difference to their lives if a WRVS ceased to exist - and we have plans to do more, much more. The number of people aged over 70 in the UK is set to increase, to 214% by 2030 and we want to have volunteers working in communities all over Britain to help older people to stay active and independent in their own homes and of course, volunteering is itself part of the solution.

By being involved in your community not only do you have the chance to put something back by helping others, but – it’s good for you.

We’re already the largest voluntary service delivering practical help in communities across Britain, but this doesn\\\'t just happen - our organisation needs people of all abilities, people who can innovate, who can add value, to set up, support or run the arrangements that make our services special. Our standards are high - WRVS has a unique history, but we want to ensure we also have an amazing future.

We hope there is a place for you amongst our staff - but if there isn\\\'t just yet, how about joining as a volunteer?