In celebration of our 80th Anniversary, Royal Voluntary Service is telling the amazing story of its volunteers through a collection of remarkable photographs, past and present.

Founded in 1938 by Stella, Lady Reading, the Women’s Voluntary Services galvanised over a million women to volunteer their time to support the nation through the crisis of the Second World War.

From evacuating children to running air raid precautions, the ‘women in green’ were central to Britain’s defence and resilience. In the decades that followed, the organisation and its unique philosophy of voluntary service maintained its place at the heart of civic life. It tackled extraordinary social challenges, from preparing refuge rooms, organising holidays for disadvantaged children, delivering Meals on Wheels to running Darby & Joan clubs.

Today, we are still here to meet new challenges, supported by our 20,000 volunteers. With friendly help, freely given, they continue to give support to those people who need it in our hospitals and communities nationwide.

Please click on any of the images below to view as a slide show.

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