"It's not how old you are - its how you are older!"

RSVP - A Brief History

RSVP started as a programme within CSV in 1988, and now has some 12,000 older volunteers.

The idea of a senior volunteer programme grew through the 60's and 70's in the USA and was an attempt to harness the skills and expertise of older people for the benefit of local communities, once they had 'retired' from conventional work.

RSVP in the UK, from its small beginnings, was run as a volunteer led programme with a small staff team in a support / advisory / encouraging role - rather than leading from the front, they were seen to be pushing from behind.

The growth of the programme throughout the 90's was more organic than planned. Regions became established because some brave soul came forward and 'gave it a go'. In 2002, a policy group was formed from those regional coordinators and other volunteers interested in the future of the programme.

Since 2000 the programme has more than doubled its number of volunteers, from about 5000 to over 12000. In Scotland and Wales devolution has brought new funding possibilities allowing RSVP to set up teams of development workers to recruit volunteer organisers. In England the original model of volunteer regional management, supported by a small staff team in London, is still the norm.

The programme continues to grow without a proportionate growth in its income, so volunteers with an interest in fundraising are particularly welcome.

Muriel Jennings who set up the very first RSVP project

 

Janet Atfield