About RSVP
For over 30 years RSVP – Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme – has been enabling people aged 50 and over to contribute their energy, enthusiasm and experience as volunteers for the benefit of their communities.
Each RSVP project is locally based, responding to local community needs. And each one is led by volunteers, who take a lead role in setting up and coordinating volunteering activities to improve the health and wellbeing of others, reducing social isolation and supporting others in their communities.
As with all volunteering, RSVP volunteers themselves benefit in terms of their own health and well-being and making new connections and friendships with others in the local community as well as the pride that they are making a difference through their participation in socially valuable projects.
What do RSVP projects do?
The range is very wide, as each project aims to meet a local need across England, Scotland and Wales. Current projects include:
- community care services in partnership with GP practices
- volunteer drivers
- help with reading in schools
- befriending
- knitting groups
- gardening
- lay assessors in care homes
- walking and exercise groups
Is there an RSVP project near me?
For more information visit each project page and current RSVP volunteering opportunities near you visit the individual project pages below:
- RSVP Driving Schemes
- RSVP Forth Valley, Scotland
- RSVP Knitting Groups
- Norfolk Knitters and Stitchers
- RSVP Reading in Schools
- RSVP Wales
- RSVP West (Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset)
- RSVP Forth Valley, Scotland
Who is involved?
Volunteer Organisers lead the projects, recruiting, managing and supporting the volunteers. In some regions, volunteer Regional Coordinators help coordinate the different projects and ensure that they have the relevant support to deliver their activities. Hear from Rosemary Fletcher, MBE, who is an RSVP Organiser for the NHS in Forth Valley, Scotland. https://vm2.losource.net/casestudy/rosemary/
Projects are supported by Volunteering Matters staff, and Volunteering Matters provides insurance, support with expenses and essential policies.
RSVP also has a Steering Group made up of organisers and volunteers from across the UK who support and represent RSVP organisers and volunteers to achieve a variety of aims and objectives. They have recently created the RSVP Toolkit which provides all organisers with a framework to operate their projects safely and effectively.
You can find out more information about the toolkit here: https://vm2.losource.net/rsvp-emma-thomas-hancock-director-of-delivery/
If you’d like to learn more about projects in your area or are interested in creating your own, email RSVP@volunteeringmatters.org.uk with your personal details and location within the UK and one of our team will get back to you.