About Us

Our history

There was a Declaration of Trust, dated 22nd September 1953, when Stella Dowager Marchioness of Reading GBE, gave £1000 to WVS Trustees Ltd to create a fund for charitable purposes and thereby created the WVS Trust.

The Trust as we know it today, was signed on 16th November 1970 in the sum of Ten Thousand Pounds, with seven trustees. These were Lady Reading GBE, Frances Clode CBE, Lady Margaret Charles OBE, Alice Crawford Johnston CBE, Doreen Harris OBE, Kathleen Halpin CBE and Enid Cubitt MBE.

It was to be used “in any such manner as the Trustees shall in their own absolute discretion think fit for the relief comfort support and benefit of such persons who are or who have at any time been members of the organisation now known as
 Women’s Royal Voluntary Service either in Great Britain or elsewhere in the world of limited means who for any reason become in need of financial or some other form of help and assistance.”

The current Trustees are responsible for administering the Trust and ensuring the aims of the Trust are executed, namely by the provision of Grants and more recently the Youth Bursary.

The Organisations we support with our grants

Royal Voluntary Service

Royal Voluntary Service mobilises volunteers to support those in need, in hospital and in the community.

WRVS Services Welfare

Delivers independent, confidential welfare support to members of the British Armed Forces since 1938.

Are you ex-forces? Maybe these two other associations can help you

SSAFA

SSAFA helps the Armed Forces, veterans and their families. SSAFA Forcesline is here to listen to you if you need support.

Royal British Legion

The Legion is here to help members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families.