Royal Voluntary Service

22/10/2026

A really positive day at the VCD Health and Community Partnership Event last Friday!

It was great to hear from organisations across Dorset about how we can strengthen connections between hospitals, primary care and community services, while working together to address the wider factors that influence people’s health and independence.

The discussions reflected something central to Access Wellbeing: while we may work across different organisations and parts of the system, we share a common goal.

By building stronger partnerships, improving connections between services and putting people at the centre of what we do, we can make it easier for people to access the support they need to stay well and independent.

Thank you to everyone involved for the valuable conversations and opportunity to make new connections. 💚

BCHA Help & Care The Lantern Trust Dorset Mind The Harmony Centre - Bridport Dorset NHS Dorset Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust Dorset Mental Health Forum

19/10/2026

💙 Could you spare a little time to make a big difference? 💙

We're looking for volunteer befrienders to support people who live alone, spend a lot of time on their own, or who are housebound.

Just a 15-minute phone call every few days – or even once a week – can brighten someone's day and help them feel less alone.

If you can spare a little time each week, we'd love to hear from you!

📞 Contact Anna or Kelly on 01258 880210
📧 Email: [email protected]

Please share to help us find more volunteer befrienders 💜

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!

12/10/2026

📚 Home Library Service Does ElderFest 📚

We’re all set up at Kinson Community Centre for !

Come and have a chat with our lovely volunteers about how they deliver our service. We’d love to bring more readers on board and there is always room for new too.

As you can see, Stephen is ready to answer all your questions… and you can grab a Quality Street while you’re here 😉

12/10/2026

Today is the day for !

Join us at Community Centre alongside a whole host of local organisations that work with and for older people.

We'll be there today from 1.30-4pm, so please do come along and have a chat with one of our brilliant volunteers who can explain how the service works and how you can refer yourselves or friends and family.

11/10/2026

06/10/2026

📚 Celebrating our Home Library Service volunteers! 💙

Congratulations to Alice Craven on receiving a Royal Voluntary Service badge from the Mayor of Chickerell, for 5 years of volunteering, and Cllr Elspeth Turner (photographed), who was awarded a 15 Year Long Service Medal for her dedication to bringing books and companionship to local residents

The Home Library Service supports people who are unable to visit their local library, helping them stay connected through the joy of reading and regular volunteer visits

📞 01305 236666
📧 [email protected]

📖✨

05/10/2026

Lots of events going on at BCP Libraries this month, including this one at Parkstone Library.

October 16th - 😀 New event at Parkstone Library
We look forward to seeing you 🏰

05/10/2026

Great to see the Poole event went so well - join us this time next week at Kinson Community Centre for Bournemouth ElderFest.

We'll be there 1.30pm-4pm alongside a whole host of brilliant local organisations offering services and opportunities to older people.

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

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! 🙌

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 ❤