Our impact

Royal Voluntary Service was set up over 80 years ago and since then, has inspired and enabled more than three million women and men to give their time to help address the needs of the day in their local communities and in the NHS.

We are one of the largest voluntary service organisations in Great Britain with nearly 20,000 volunteers who give their skills, experience, energy and time to provide practical help, companionship and support to people in need in hospitals, at home and in the community. The charity is one of the UK’s largest hospital retailers with 230 volunteer-run shops, cafés and trolley services providing tea and company to patients, hospital staff and visitors.