The social care charity Royal Voluntary Service (previously WRVS) I used to work for has just created this interesting oral history project through their own archive. You can see more about the project here.
Voices of Volunteering: 75 Years of Citizenship and Service is an Oral History project run by the Royal Voluntary Service and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. We are collecting Oral Histories from past and present volunteers helping to preserve their unique take on their service with the charity. These recordings will be made available to all through Royal Voluntary Service’s on-line catalogue, as well as forming the core of a new suite of educational resources for secondary school students. These resources will focus on the contribution of volunteers to British society and help promote the ideals of citizenship.
Founded by Lady Reading in 1938, Royal Voluntary Service is the largest voluntary organisation in British history, which today helps older people stay active, independent and part of their communities. The collection of up to 80 oral histories will give a fantastic new insight into the work of WVS/WRVS volunteers and their impact on British history through unique and differing perspectives.
You can find out more about the project on our website http://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/about-us/our-history/voices-of-volunteering.
The Royal Voluntary Service Archive & Heritage Collection recently added fourteen Oral Histories, from the project, to its online http://catalogue.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/calmview/ search Voices of Volunteering.
We are also looking for volunteers to assist the Project Archivist as Heritage Champions, with collecting these fascinating stories; learning new skills and providing a continuing legacy for the project after its official end.
If you would like more information please email oralhistory@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk.