Supporter groups

VSO is not just about working overseas. Join one of our supporter groups and help to build a fairer world with your local community. Our groups support us in a variety of ways – usually with a strong social element such as planning local events and activities.  They provide support for:

• out-going, serving and returned volunteers and their friends and families

• volunteer recruitment – promoting our work and raising our profile locally through marketing and media activities, fundraising or sponsoring a volunteer or a project 

• international development – through raising awareness of issues affecting people in southern countries and lobbying and campaigning on issues we support. 

Supporter groups are a great way to meet new people and an ideal opportunity to:

• learn more about our work 

• learn more about life in developing countries 

• make a personal contribution to our work 

• increase your own skills and knowledge through participation in supporter group activities such as workshops and debates.    

There’s also the supporter group forum, where representatives meet VSO twice a year, to share ideas and find ways to develop the supporter group network.

Everybody welcome

You don’t have to be a volunteer or a returned volunteer to join a supporter group, some groups have no returned volunteer members at all. As a supporter you’ll receive our lifechanges newsletter to keep you updated our latest campaigns and events. You’ll also be able to join our online community and take part in discussions with supporter groups. There’s also the supporter group forum that meets twice a year – a chance for all supporter groups to develop the groups network.

Join a group near you

Our supporter groups are always looking for new members. Use the menu at the top of this page to find a group near you. If there is not a group listed in your area and you want to start a group, contact us at supportergroups@vso.org.uk or call 020 8780 7500.

Supporter group resources

If you are a supporter group member and would like information or guidance for your group see the documents below.

Alternatively contact the supporter groups network adviser at supportergroups@vso.org.uk

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