Volunteering means making a difference

Royal Voluntary Service volunteers have supported the NHS throughout the COVID-19 pandemic at a time when every resource was precious and we will continue to provide that help whilst the nation recovers.

We’re proud that we helped more people begin their volunteering journey during the pandemic than any other organisation. That’s hundreds of thousands of new volunteers, all making a difference during our nation’s hour of need.

New ways of volunteering have emerged since the pandemic took hold. Volunteering is changing and with Royal Voluntary Service you can choose the role and style of volunteering that fits in with your life and lifestyle.

For instance, nowadays you can volunteer through an app on your phone and pick up tasks when you want to, giving you total flexibility.

Our volunteers work in a wide variety of roles; from offering companionship to people who are socially isolated, to providing practical help to those recovering from illness, to working on hospital wards or helping at a vaccination site.

Whatever role you choose to play, you will be supporting others while enjoying a rewarding experience for yourself. 

Volunteering means learning

Our student volunteer base has never been bigger, as more and more students discover how rewarding and fun it can be. 

You only give time you can afford, so there’s plenty left over for studying and socialising. And you’ll be doing something that interests you, either because it relates to your studies or because it’s a welcome break from them!

You’ll gain skills you can’t learn in a classroom, and valuable experience to take into the workplace. At Royal Voluntary Service, there are great opportunities to grow direct experience in health, care or retail environments, for example. However, volunteering with us boosts a range of skills which can be applied to any career pathway.

You’ll build a network of friends and contacts that will help you with references, studying and career advice.

Above all, you’ll gain confidence in yourself and your abilities. You’ll discover talents you didn’t know you had, and interests you never knew existed. You’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’ve made a positive difference to other people, as well as to your own wellbeing.