Memorandum from the WRVS
INTRODUCTION
Presently, WRVS is one of the UK's largest volunteering
organisations with over 95,000 volunteers dedicated to tackling
social isolation in communities throughout England, Scotland and
Wales.
The organisation aims to help people maintain
independence and dignity who may be socially isolated. This is
undertaken through a variety of projects; within our Food, Community,
Emergency Services, Retail & Services Welfare operations.
WRVS provides a range of food-related services,
helping many people who are unable to shop or cook continue to
remain living independently in their own homes. Every year WRVS
delivers over nine million meals to older and housebound people
throughout the UK.
Community projects offer support and
assistance to various groups of people who often face difficulties
or limitations. Schemes include Books on Wheels, Good Neighbours
projects and Social Transport services.
Emergency Services works closely with
local authorities, blue light services and other voluntary organisations
in response to both national disasters and local emergencies.
Trained teams of volunteers are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days
a year to help people affected by disaster and provide refreshment
and support to the rescue teams.
WRVS is a leading provider of hospital services,
supporting patients, staff and visitors in approximately 450 hospitals
nationwide. In partnership with some 270 NHS trusts, WRVS run
shops, cafes, trolley shops to the wards, reception and guiding
services. Retail projects gift a proportion of profit back to
the hospital for medical equipment or patient facilities.
WRVS has also provided welfare support to single
soldiers at unit level and training establishments since the 1980s.
The role of WRVS Services Welfare has been to assist the
Commanding Officer (CO) in the welfare of soldiers and in maintaining
morale by organising leisure, welfare, and recreational facilities
as the CO may require. SWOs are employed in support of AG TLB,
HQ Land Command, (Adjutant General Head Quarters) HQ Northern
Ireland, British Forces Cyprus and British Forces Falkland Islands,
UKSC—G1 BFG (British Forces Germany).
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