The formula for a happy retirement
Research by Royal Voluntary Service marks a call for people of all ages, particularly retirees, to volunteer their skills and talents
Volunteer with Royal Voluntary Service
Join thousands of volunteers helping people stay happy, healthy and connected.
The difference you make
Help people feel happier, healthier and less alone.
Dave's story
Discover why Dave decided to give his time as a Community Transport volunteer.
Amma's story
See what inspired Amma to give back to her community as a Home from Hospital volunteer.
Support your local community
From giving someone a lift, to making regular phone calls - helping out with social activities or cooking at a lunch club - there are so many volunteering roles to choose.
Support your local hospital
From serving in a hospital café, to guiding patients and visitors, keeping people company on a ward or helping them home, there are so many ways to support your NHS.
Flexible volunteering for everyone!
With GoVo, you can quickly find volunteer roles for the causes you care about. It's easy to sign-up - register once to volunteer with multiple charities.
Support when you need it
Looking for help for yourself or someone you care about? Find practical and friendly support near you.
Help closer to home
There are so many ways our volunteers can support you.
A helping hand for you
Our volunteers can help you or someone you love.
Join in, get together
From lunch clubs to exercise classes and friendly groups, find activities near you to meet people, try something new and stay connected.
Fun with friends this Christmas
We're holding Festive Spread events across Britain.
Support before, during and after hospital
Our volunteers are here for you every step of the way.
Help getting where you need to be
Struggling to get to appointments or the shops? Our volunteer drivers offer a lift and a friendly face, so you can keep doing the things that matter to you.
Living well with dementia
Our friendly groups offer activities, company and support for people living with dementia and the family and friends who care for them.
Support for our Armed Forces
From relaxed WRVS centres to confidential welfare support, our team is here for service personnel at home and abroad.
Real stories, real difference
Meet the people we support and discover how a little help from our volunteers can make all the difference.
We've been refreshing the nation for over 85 years
Discover our cafés & shops.
A friendly face and a fresh cuppa
Whether you’re visiting a loved one in hospital or popping in for a cuppa nearby, our cafés and shops offer a welcome break with profits supporting people in your community.
Volunteering for all, profits for good
Our own Rainforest Alliance-certified blend, fresh food and a friendly welcome, with every cup supporting volunteering in communities across Britain.
Treat yourself to a coffee that gives back
Every cup from our cafés helps support people in communities across Britain and there’s probably one nearer than you think.
Step inside our cafés
Get a glimpse of the friendly faces, fresh food and great coffee waiting for you at our Royal Voluntary Service and Nineteen38 Coffee cafés across Britain.
What will you bring to the table?
Buy a gift today and make a difference to someone facing Christmas alone.
Donate now
Help people in your community who are struggling to cope alone.
Host a Brews & Bakes event
Bring people together over coffee and cake.
Get fundraising ideas
Find your fundraiser, from abseiling to sponsored sleeps.
Walk for Royal Voluntary Service
Trek Snowdon, Hadrian’s Wall and more for charity.
Leave a gift in your Will
Planning your legacy with our free guide.
Write your Will for free
Get a simple Will made – online, by phone or in person.
Play our weekly lottery
For just £1 a week you could win £25,000 – and at least 50p from every entry helps our volunteers be there for people who need us.
Give a gift that gives back
Treat someone special to a present with real meaning. From £5, every card helps our volunteers bring friendship and practical support to people across Britain.
See what your gift makes possible
From a lift to vital treatment to a friendly face at the door, see how your generosity changes lives across Britain.
Together, we can do more
Work with us to ensure volunteer-powered support is available where it’s needed most.
Make a difference as a business
Engage your employees and customers, meet your CSR goals and create real change in local communities.
Invest in lasting change
Partner with us to fund volunteer-led services that change lives in communities across Britain.
Make a gift that lasts
Your major gift can transform lives in communities across Britain, and our team will help you find the project that means the most to you.
About us
Royal Voluntary Service is on a mission to grow volunteering across our nations, to build a stronger, better-connected Britain.
Our Chief Officers Group
Get to know the people who guide our charity.
Our ambassadors & supporters
Meet the famous faces championing volunteering.
In pictures
The remarkable story of voluntary service in Britain in photographs.
Evidence for change
From our Volunteer Revolution series to reports on health and care, discover the insight behind our campaigns.
Research by Royal Voluntary Service marks a call for people of all ages, particularly retirees, to volunteer their skills and talents
Thank you to all our volunteers this national Volunteers Week, 1-7 June
Royal Voluntary Service is calling on Brits to use their talents by volunteering as everyone has something to give
New research from Royal Voluntary Service finds that a busy social diary is as much of a tonic as a rest for the over 70s
Our new ‘Step Forward’ campaign, developed to encourage the British public to volunteer to support their local community, is being supported by Legal & General Retail Retirement
New campaign launched by Royal Voluntary Service to make volunteering part of everyday life
Wave of first-time volunteers prompted to step forward in response to issues such as reduced funding for community services, pressures on the NHS and care for older people
Royal Voluntary Service has called for its thousands of volunteers to give extra time and support to ensure the NHS can continue to offer excellent services during the colder months
Research finds nearly one in five adults in Britain plan to volunteer over the Christmas period