Royal Voluntary Service in Berkshire is encouraging more people in the area to discover the joys of volunteering whilst keeping their local community healthy and happy.
Royal Voluntary Service has been providing support to people in need in Berkshire both before and during the coronavirus pandemic.
Originally set up as the Women’s Voluntary Service (subsequently the WRVS) in 1938, the charity began its life helping civilians during the Second World War.
With the support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the charity and its volunteers are able to improve health and wellbeing, resilience, confidence and connections of some of Berkshire’s most vulnerable people.
This includes things as simple as serving refreshments and offering a friendly, compassionate point of contact for staff and patients in Royal Voluntary Service cafés and shops at Wokingham Hospital and Wexham Park Hospital.
Others are supporting as NHS Volunteer Responder Steward Volunteers at vaccination sites.
People are also being encouraged to sign up for a new Emergency Response Volunteer role, to form a team of standby volunteers who will be ready to come to the aid of their communities and their NHS when urgent needs arise.
Above: Royal Voluntary Service
However, it’s not just the people on the receiving end of the support that benefit from volunteering.
According to research conducted by Royal Voluntary Service November 2021 with 784 active volunteers from England, Scotland, Wales, Royal Voluntary Service volunteers report better physical health; mental health and wellbeing, with 81% of pandemic volunteers reporting an improvement in this.
Retail Area Manager for Royal Voluntary Service in Berkshire, Helen Bayliss, said: “Our volunteers make a real difference to the experience of both hospital staff and visitors in Royal Voluntary Service retail outlets in hospitals across Berkshire.
"They provide more than just food and drink, they offer friendly faces, company and compassion to all customers.
"They volunteer completely selflessly, but it’s incredible to see how much their service changes their lives too.
"If you’d like to join our close-knit team of amazing volunteers, any time you can offer will go a long way to supporting your community and you’ll meet some fantastic people along the way.”
Click here to find out more about volunteering opportunities that interest you.
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