Chester Voluntary Action History

Chester Voluntary Action has enjoyed strong links with Chester’s voluntary and community sector over many years. This is has included playing a key role in setting up some of Chester’s major local charities including Chester Aid to the Homeless and Chester Crossroads.

The organisation was established in 1914 as Chester Council of Social Welfare. A strong social welfare focus included acting as an almoner for the needy and running “Citizen’s Friend”, an advice and information service around pensions, insurance and social services. The organisation became Chester and District Council of Social Welfare and Citizens Advice Bureau in 1939; Chester CAB became a separate organisation in 1983.

In the early 70s there was a change of name to Chester Council of Community Service, with a remit widened from social welfare to the “whole field of community service” (1973 Annual Report).

The organisation appointed its first Volunteer Co-ordinator in 1971 and went on to establish a Volunteer Bureau in 1982. In the same year, the name Chester CVS was adopted, a registered charity whose services include those of a CVS and Volunteer Bureau (VB).

In 2005 the organisation agreed to change its name to Chester Voluntary Action, reflecting the organisation’s mission of promoting and supporting voluntary action in the District whilst the Volunteer Bureau became known as Volunteer Centre Chester.