What Rushmoor Voluntary Services does

Rushmoor Voluntary Services (RVS), registered charity number 1059794, is the designated Local Infrastructure Organisation (LIO) for Rushmoor borough in Hampshire, UK. Operating from Farnborough, the charity convenes and supports the local voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, coordinating a network of 25+ member organisations. RVS delivers individual support, group support, transport services, community projects, and practical help to Rushmoor residents, with a particular emphasis on advice, signposting, and capacity-building for smaller local groups.

The organisation's operating model is grant-funded and partnership-driven rather than commercial. Income is derived from local-authority grants (primarily Rushmoor Borough Council, which also provides in-kind office space), NHS commissioning (notably via NHS Frimley Health and Care ICS for programmes such as the Smile Project), individual donations, and small training/room-hire fees. Notable programmes include the recently completed Smile Project (NHS partnership), the newly launched Green Fringe Festival (2025), multi-language Cost of Living Support content produced with Citizens Advice Rushmoor, and WorkWell-related activity. RVS holds partnerships with Rushmoor Borough Council, NHS Frimley Health and Care ICS, Citizens Advice Rushmoor, and Rushmoor Green Community Network.

Operationally, RVS is a micro-charity with 1–10 employees, led by CEO Donna Bone (in role since May 2019) and Chairman Colin Slatter. The organisation is approaching its 50th anniversary and is using the milestone for stakeholder re-engagement. There is no disclosed technology platform, proprietary software, or AI/ML capability; delivery is people-intensive and relationship-driven, consistent with the LIO coordinating function the charity performs.

Name

Rushmoor Voluntary Services

Legal name

Rushmoor Voluntary Services

Website

https://rvs.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Rushmoor Voluntary Services is a registered charity and Local Infrastructure Organisation supporting the voluntary sector in Rushmoor borough. It convenes 25+ community groups and delivers advice, transport, and practical support to local residents, funded primarily by council and NHS grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Support Services

NAICS

Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

Keywords

• Community support services
• Volunteer coordination
• Charity infrastructure organisation
• Community transport services
• Wellbeing programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Farnborough

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The organisation accepts donations from the public and has dedicated donation pages for supporting their programs.
2. Grants and Public Funding: RVS receives grant funding from organisations including Rushmoor Borough Council, NHS, Southeast CRP, and CRN for various community programs.
3. Training Services: Some training programs are offered for a fee, such as GDPR courses at £45 per person including lunch.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Rushmoor Voluntary Services operates as the designated Local Infrastructure Organisation (LIO) for the Rushmoor borough, championing volunteering and supporting both individual residents and voluntary/community groups. It delivers direct services such as befriending, home help, wellbeing walks, community transport, and gardening, while also providing infrastructure support (funding guidance, trustee recruitment, training, community development) to local charities. The organisation is funded through donations, grants, and a small amount of fee-based training and transport services.

Product overview

Rushmoor Voluntary Services (RVS) operates as a Local Infrastructure Organisation providing a comprehensive portfolio of community support services to residents of Rushmoor. The organisation offers individual support services including befriending, social clubs, gardening, wellbeing activities, home help, training, and employment support. Group support encompasses community development, funding assistance for charities, a voluntary sector forum, and governance training. Transport services include minibus hire, driver training schemes, and the Rushmoor Connect community transport scheme. RVS also administers various community projects such as the Blooming Minds Wellbeing Programme, The Smile Project, Green Fringe Festival, and Rushmoor Community in Bloom, alongside practical support services including home repairs, warm spaces, cost of living assistance, equipment loans, and a repair cafe. The organisation is registered as Charity Number 1059794.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RVS Responders: A team of volunteer responders available to help with one-off community events and activities in Rushmoor.
• Blooming Minds Wellbeing Programme
• The Smile Project
• Green Fringe Festival
• Rushmoor Community in Bloom

Products and services

• Befriending and Buddying Service A social support service that pairs isolated or lonely individuals in Rushmoor with volunteers for regular companionship visits and friendly contact.
• Friday Lunch Club A weekly communal dining service providing hot meals and social interaction for Rushmoor community members, particularly older adults.
• Wellbeing Walks Group walking sessions designed to promote physical health, mental wellbeing, and social connection through regular outdoor activity in Rushmoor.
• Home Help Service Practical assistance with household tasks such as general housework and shopping, enabling Rushmoor residents to maintain independence in their homes.
• Community Gardening (Blooming Marvellous Supported Adult Gardening Group) A therapeutic gardening programme providing outdoor activity, skill-sharing, and community engagement through collective garden maintenance, including the Blooming Marvellous Supported Adult Gardening Group.
• WorkWell A workplace wellbeing and employment support service helping Rushmoor individuals maintain or find employment.
• Community Transport Minibus Hire A minibus rental service enabling community groups, charities, and individuals in Rushmoor to access transportation for group outings and appointments.
• Rushmoor Connect and Fleet Connect A community transport scheme providing accessible transportation options for Rushmoor residents who cannot use public transport.
• Funding Help Advisory and support services assisting local Rushmoor charities and community groups with grant applications and funding strategies.
• Community Development Programmes focused on building community capacity, empowering local groups, and fostering civic engagement in Rushmoor.
• Voluntary Sector Forum A networking and coordination body bringing together voluntary sector organisations in Rushmoor to share resources and information.
• RVS Training Opportunities Educational and skills development programmes offering training courses (including GDPR, first aid, food hygiene, and trustee recruitment topics) for community members, volunteers, and local organisations in Rushmoor.
• Rushmoor Community in Bloom A floral improvement and environmental project encouraging community participation in greening public spaces across Rushmoor, including an associated schools competition.
• Green Fringe Festival An environmental awareness festival launched in 2025 celebrating green initiatives and sustainable living in Rushmoor, connecting communities with green spaces through sustainable travel and local activities.
• The Smile Project A community wellbeing initiative completed in 2024 in partnership with NHS Frimley Health and Care ICS, focused on reducing healthcare inequalities for primary-aged children through oral health promotion in Rushmoor.
• Blooming Minds Wellbeing Programme A green social prescribing programme supporting adults with mental health needs in Rushmoor through nature-based activities at the Farnborough Rotary Accessible Garden (FRAG).
• Warm Spaces Designated warm, welcoming venues where Rushmoor community members can seek warmth, companionship, and support during cold periods, with a suggested £3 donation.
• Cost of Living Support Advisory services and practical assistance helping Rushmoor residents manage rising living costs and access available support, delivered in partnership with Citizens Advice Rushmoor.
• Rushmoor Repair Café A community repair workshop where volunteers help Rushmoor residents fix broken household items rather than discarding them.
• Equipment Loans A lending service providing medical and mobility equipment to Rushmoor community members on a temporary basis.
• Frank Rust Grant A grant programme providing financial support to local community initiatives and projects in Rushmoor.
• Home Repairs Service Assistance with minor home repairs and maintenance for Rushmoor residents who cannot undertake such tasks themselves.
• Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme (MiDAS Training) Training and certification programme for drivers to safely operate minibuses for community transport purposes in Rushmoor.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NHS Frimley Health and Care ICScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with NHS Frimley Health and Care ICS for The Smile Project, an NHS Core 20 Plus 5 initiative designed to drive targeted action to improve health inequalities in Rushmoor, focusing on oral health for primary-aged children.
• Citizens Advice RushmoorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Citizens Advice Rushmoor to create Cost of Living Support videos in multiple languages (British Sign Language, Urdu, Nepali) to break down barriers to finding cost of living support in the community.
• Rushmoor Borough CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership with Rushmoor Borough Council as the Local Infrastructure Organisation. The Council provides funding, hosts RVS offices at the Civic Buildings, and collaborates on community events including the Armed Forces Day and volunteering initiatives.
• Trustees UnlimitedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReferral partnership for trustee recruitment services, recommended as a resource for organisations seeking to recruit trustees for their charity boards.
• Rushmoor LinkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with rushmoorlink.org portal for local community information sharing and referrals.
• Connect to Support HampshireminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with connecttosupporthampshire.org.uk for connecting residents with support services.
• Volunteer North HampshireminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with volunteernorthhants.org/ for listing volunteering opportunities in the region.
• Rushmoor Green Community NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of 28 member organisations representing green spaces, community gardens, and environmental initiatives working collaboratively on local sustainability, biodiversity, and community engagement. Includes Blooming Marvellous, Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust, Friends of Rowhill Association, and other local environmental groups.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Voluntary Action Camden: Local infrastructure body for the London Borough of Camden operating a near-identical service mix (volunteering brokerage, community development, group support, training) at borough level — a structural benchmark for an urban LIO.
• Basingstoke Voluntary Action: Hampshire-based LIO serving Basingstoke and Deane borough. Provides matching local infrastructure support (volunteer recruitment, training, community development) using a model functionally identical to RVS, serving comparable demographics.
• Hart Voluntary Action: Local Infrastructure Organisation for Hart district, the immediate Hampshire neighbour of Rushmoor. Operates the same LIO model — recruiting volunteers, supporting member charities, and running community services — at similar scale, making it the closest geographic direct-comparable peer.
• East Hampshire Voluntary Action: Voluntary-sector infrastructure body covering East Hampshire district. Comparable LIO role with member-charity support, volunteer recruitment, and community services — a direct analog of RVS' service mix within the same county.
• Volunteer Surrey: County-wide volunteer infrastructure body serving Surrey — a neighbouring county to Hampshire. Offers a directly analogous portfolio (volunteer brokerage, charity support, community transport, training) for a similar demographic footprint.

Broad incumbents

• NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations): National umbrella body for the UK voluntary sector, providing policy, research, infrastructure support, and the funding frameworks that channel resources to local infrastructure bodies like RVS. Strongly comparable as the apex peer in the same value chain.
• Locality: National membership body supporting community-led organisations and LIOs across the UK. Direct peer-as-supporting-organisation: Locality's role in representing and resourcing infrastructure bodies makes it a relevant structural benchmark for RVS' convening function.
• Volunteering Matters: UK-wide charity (formerly Community Service Volunteers) running national volunteering programs and local volunteer-infrastructure services. Compares to RVS as the scaled-up, multi-region version of the same LIO brokerage and community-services model.

Emerging players

• Reach Volunteering: UK charity focused on skilled volunteer matching for the voluntary sector, particularly board-level/trustee recruitment. Overlaps with RVS' governor and trustee information service and Recruiters' programme, representing a digital-native threat to part of RVS' portfolio.
• Do-it Trust (Do-it.org): UK-wide digital volunteering platform run by the Do-it Trust, providing online volunteer opportunity matching that overlaps with RVS' Rushmoor Volunteering Fair and volunteer recruitment function. A platform peer representing a different delivery model for the same volunteer-brokerage service.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/c_rushmoor
• Facebookfacebook.com/rushmoorvolunteers
• Instagraminstagram.com/rushmoorvolunteers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rushmoor-voluntary-services

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rushmoor Voluntary Services