Royal Voluntary Service, Women's Voluntary Service
Royal Voluntary Service is a charitable organization in the United Kingdom that encourages people to volunteer in their communities. Today its volunteers support hospitals, visit people in need, organize lunch clubs, and operate digital platforms to match people with volunteering roles.
The organization began in 1938 as the Women's Voluntary Service for Air Raid Precautions to involve women in civil defense during wartime. After the war it shifted focus to social care, gained the title 'Royal' in 1966, and adopted the name Royal Voluntary Service in 2013.
The organization carries the title 'Royal' since 1966 as recognition for its wartime contributions. It represents the idea that volunteering is a form of community responsibility where people come together to help one another through difficult times.
Volunteers can support the organization in many ways, from spending a few hours in hospitals to delivering services for housebound people. The digital platform GoVo makes it easy to find local opportunities or participate from home.
During World War II, volunteers set up supply stations on London streets to support firefighters and medical workers during bombing raids. Some of these helpers lost their lives while assisting others.
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