Seniors Network

All About WRVS

WRVS is one of the UK's largest voluntary services dedicated to tackling social isolation or deprivation in communities throughout England, Scotland and Wales. We have over 100,000 volunteers, including 13,000 men, who give their time to help others.

 We help:

• Housebound and older people maintain their independence and dignity in their homes and communities
• Families experiencing stressful situations, such as being or visiting a loved one in hospital, appearing in court,* prison visiting,* or enabling children* to meet an estranged relation particularly during separation and divorce of their parents.
• People affected by disasters, including evacuation eg, due to fire or flood and providing refreshments for the rescue teams. Our rapid response teams are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

WRVS is funded through payment for the services we deliver (eg, Meals on Wheels), a government grant to promote volunteering, and fundraising campaigns, legacies and other donations. To find out more visit our fundraising pages and WRVS facts page

History
WRVS was launched in 1938 to support the war effort. We have undertaken various tasks in our 60-year history, depending on the need at the time, from evacuating children to providing talks on how to cope during a nuclear attack 

Why we exist
 

• Half of all pensioner households depend on state benefits for at least 75 per cent of their income
• Today, there are 3.4 people of working age for every pensioner and by 2040 the figure will be just 2.4
• In 2000 the social security spend was almost £100billion - 33 per cent of all government spending throughout the UK
• In a typical week more than 800,000 people will be treated in NHS hospital out-patient clinics.
• Research suggests that prisoners who return to a supportive family environment are six times less likely to re-offend than those lacking support.
• Between 1970 and 1997 the number of divorces more than doubled to 161,000
• One in four families is now headed by a lone parent throughout the UK
  
  To find out more about vacancies near you, apply online or telephone 0845 601 4670 and your local volunteering manager will contact you