Royal Voluntary Service

12/10/2026

📚 🫶 Bristol Home Library is at The Withywood Centre today!
We’re delighted to attend the third Health MOT event for local residents aged 55+. 😃 Come and say hello to Sarah, our Service Coordinator—we’d love to see you!

If you or someone you know has difficulty visiting a Bristol library, we’re here to help! Call 07714 898 558 or email: [email protected] for more information!

05/10/2026

Still time to book and join this amazing event this evening!

Book now to join us for a magical evening with Jessica Townsend, author of best-selling children's book series Nevermoor.

The perfect event for children ages 8 and up (and adults too!) who love magic and mystery.

Storysmith Books will be joining us on the night to sell copies of Jessica's books, and Jessica will be happy to sign books and chat to guests after the event.

This event is totally free to attend and is extra special because Jessica is only in the UK briefly, over from Australia on a European tour! Hear her talk in person while you can!

Please book tickets on the libraries event page to avoid missing out. Or contact your local Bristol library to book a place.

05/10/2026

📚 Join Horfield Library Reading Group! 📚

Looking for your next great read and a friendly chat about books?

We're always happy to welcome new members to the Horfield Library Reading Group. Come along for relaxed discussions, book recommendations and the chance to meet fellow readers.

📍 Horfield Library, Filton Avenue, BS7 0BD
🗓 Last Thursday of every month
⏰ 11:00am to 11:45am

Upcoming reads:

📖 29 October
The Memory Keeper by Abigail Johnson

📖 26 November
The Satsuma Complex by Bob Mortimer

📖 31 December
The Echoes by Evie Wyld

No need to be an expert reader, just bring your love of books and join the conversation!

📧 Questions? Email: [email protected]

Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust Upper Horfield Community Trust Councillor Tom Renhard - Horfield Ward Horfield Hub Lockleaze 📚✨

30/08/2026

It's Frankenstein day!
Happy Birthday to the iconic Mary Shelley, born August 30, 1797!
Written during the famous "Year Without a Summer" in 1816, Shelley took on a challenge to write a ghost story and inadvertently created one of the most enduring sci-fi and horror masterpieces of all time. Beyond her famous monster, she was a fierce advocate for literature, editing, and political commentary.

In Bristol Libraries there are between 60 and 100 copies alone of this book in our libraries across Bristol ! It's borrowed between 600 and 1500 times every year!

Celebrating today by revisiting a classic! Are you team physical book, audiobook, or eBook? 🎧📚

29/08/2026

Celebrating the incredible Dolly Parton❤️‍🩹🤠
Dolly Parton is best known as a country music icon, but her father’s inability to read or write also inspired her to create the Imagination Library, supporting literacy around the world. Through this programme, she has gifted more than 300 million books to children globally, encouraging generations of young readers to dream big and discover new worlds through stories.

📚🥰
At Bristol Home Library Service, we are proud to carry that same spirit into our local community. Our volunteers bring the adventure and comfort of reading directly to Bristol residents who can no longer visit a library independently. Dolly showed how one book can open up a whole new world, and we’re proud to keep that magic alive here at home.

❤️ If you know someone in Bristol who could benefit from our free service, or if you would like to volunteer, send us a message or contact us at [email protected]!

!

28/08/2026

💔💔💔

It is with sadness that we announce the closure of the Virtual Village Hall.

Created during the COVID-19 pandemic, this much-loved service brought people together from across the UK. We're incredibly proud of the community that was built and grateful to have been able to offer the service for so many years.

As the service comes to a close, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who took part in the sessions, supported the sessions, and helped make the Virtual Village Hall such a special place

The last live session will take place on 11th September.

While live sessions are coming to an end, the YouTube back catalogue of VVH sessions will remain available as a resource for people to continue to access, enjoy and benefit from. You can acess this via the link below 👇
https://tinyurl.com/Virtual-Village-Hall-Archive

Royal Voluntary Service remains committed to helping people stay connected, active and supported. If you're looking for ways to stay active, We Are Undefeatable offers a range of free resources to help people with health conditions stay active.

If you'd like to connect with your community, you can explore local Royal Voluntary Service clubs and groups, or find out more about our free Calls with Care service: https://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/our-services/supporting-people/

27/08/2026

Just a little reminder Monday is Bank Holiday so the libraries will be shut! Have a fabulous long weekend!

You can search for your closest library by postcode or alphabetically by area. Find a library BUTTON  {bccnavigationpanel}

20/08/2026

Our Finance Team taking things to new heights ⛰️

Walking Pen Y Fan not once but 5 times to help raise funds for our services 🙌

Thanks so much and well done team 👏

It's not too late to show your support! Visit the team's justgiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/mark-trenavin-body-1

19/08/2026

☀️ What are Bristol library readers loving right now? Whether its on the beach or in the garden here are the most borrowed books from Bristol Libraries over the last two months (June and July)!
Tell us what you're enjoying for the Summer Reading Challenge in the comments!
If you or someone you know can't easily visit the library to grab these hot titles, the Bristol Home Library Service can helpl bring them straight to your front door completely free of charge.

🚚 Get Books Delivered ! Our wonderful, fully vetted volunteers drop off new books and pick up old .
To sign up yourself, a neighbor, or a loved one:
📞 Call us: 07714898558
✉️ Email us: [email protected]
💬 Or just comment below!

18/08/2026

A huge thank you to the Julia Rausing Trust for their incredible generosity! 💙

We’re so grateful to have been awarded £300k to be given over the next three years to support our Community Clubs.

This funding will help us continue supporting thousands of people in local communities, maintain our club network and expand our programme, ensuring vital local support remains available where it's needed most.

Thank you for helping us make this possible! 🙌

17/08/2026

It’s more than just a book delivery—it’s a lifeline against loneliness. Just one hour a fortnight can make a massive difference to an isolated resident in Bristol.
Volunteering with the Home Library is flexible and easy have a look at the Volunteer site today to apply and help keep

https://my.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/opportunities

14/08/2026

How the home library service works in 3 simple steps:
1. Follow the link and enquire
2. We contact you and complete your referral and tell us what you love to read.
3. A friendly, vetted volunteer matches books to your tastes.
4. Your friendly colunteer delivers them to your home for free.

📚🛻

Click the link to register for yourself or someone you know

Find local services for vulnerable people from Royal Voluntary Service

10/08/2026

What a turn out! An incredible result from this year's Big Help Out 🤯

We were proud to support Eden Project Communities this year to help connect more people with meaningful volunteering opportunities through GoVo. Which is just one of the many ways people could connect and find new volunteering opportunities in their community.

We hope everyone who got involved discovered just how rewarding volunteering can be - and that it's inspired you to keep making a difference in your community. 👏

The weekend may be over, but you can still discover new roles and volunteer! Head to govo.org to see how you could lend a hand in your local area.

🥁 Drum roll, please… the results are in!

🎉 15.04 MILLION PEOPLE TOOK PART IN THE BIG LUNCH & BIG HELP OUT THIS YEAR! 🎉

💚 Thank you to everyone who shared food and lent a hand, helping bring communities together across the UK.

🤝 Together, you've sparked new friendships, inspired more volunteering and helped people feel less lonely.

The weekend may be over, but the impact is just beginning. Keep the momentum going by arranging another get-together, signing up to more volunteering, or getting involved in a local event. Even a simple hello to your neighbour helps build stronger, happier and more connected places to live. 👋

🙏 A huge thank you to everyone who took part, and to our incredible organisers, volunteers, and partners, Pears Foundation and Co-op, for making it all possible.

03/08/2026

For almost 50 years, Jennifer has been serving up good food, companionship and kindness in her community ❤️

Volunteers like Jennifer are at the heart of our communities ✨

03/08/2026

Our volunteers always ensure the best service possible for our clients 💘

Meet Khara-Marie, who's been volunteering with us since last summer in Aberdeenshire. Whilst studying at school and applying to study medicine at university, Khara makes calls to people who have used our local transport services to make sure they continue receiving the support they need.

“Volunteering makes me feel like I’m genuinely helping people. Even though I’m not the person providing the transport itself, I feel like I’m helping people feel understood and helping them get answers to their questions.

"I don’t see myself stopping anytime soon because I’ve found it so rewarding." - well done Khara-Marie! 👏

29/07/2026

One small action has the power to make a huge change. 🌍

ITV's docuseries Force of Nature narrated by Andrew Lincoln, reminds us that lasting impact happens when people come together with purpose.

Whether it's restoring habitats, protecting wildlife, cleaning our coastlines, or educating communities, volunteer and be a part of a cause that does vital work for our planet through GoVo.

Turn passion into action and sign up to volunteer today at: https://bit.ly/3ROS8W2

28/07/2026

Sometimes helping others can help you too ❤

Having struggled with anxiety for many years, Hannah believes that volunteering as a Community Companion has helped her build confidence and strengthen her communication skills while supporting people experiencing loneliness in her local community.

“Over time, volunteering has really helped with my anxiety. The more I do, the easier it becomes for me to socialise with people. Meeting someone new doesn’t feel intimidating anymore."

Wish to build your confidence through volunteering? Sign up to volunteer in a role that suits you at govo.org

24/07/2026

Have you spotted our new sites? 👀

Our teams have been working BTS, and the public can now enjoy refreshments from us at three exciting new locations.

📍 Morton House and Wigmore Valley Park in Luton
📍 Wimbledon Station

If you are in the area, come and say hello 👋

22/07/2026

Still in football fever after last weekend’s Final? 🏆

The World Cup may be over but there is one thing that isn’t final – how much YOU can still make a difference 😍

Find local and remote volunteering opportunities using GoVo with local sports clubs or charities who help make a difference through the love of sport ❤

⚽ Browse the football volunteering roles we have on offer at govo.org today.

20/07/2026

A joy since 1992 ❤

Sheila has been volunteering with us for over 30 years at our Stirling Community Hospital cafe, offering heart-warming service to hospital patients, visitors and NHS staff.

Having battled cancer in her early 40s and now living with limited vision, Sheila has continued to volunteer with remarkable dedication. Her unwavering resilience and commitment to helping others, despite the challenges she’s faced, is truly inspiring.

We’re so grateful for volunteers like Sheila. Thank you so much for your continued service and support ❤