Background & History

The role of the Voluntary Services Organiser was not generally recognised as a salaried and professional position until the late 1960’s early 1970’s. NAVSM was started in 1968, as the National Association of Voluntary Help Organisers (NAVHO). It was created with the intention of providing support information and training to VHO’s who were struggling to define their role within the NHS. This development was strongly supported by the Kings Fund which organised training days and appointed a development officer for VHO’s. As the involvement of the Kings Fund wound down, the emphasis shifted to the association itself to meet the developmental and training responsibilities of its members.

1n 1994, reflecting the development of its members’ role into a more structured management position, NAVHO changed its name to NAVSM.

Today we have over 160 members working in health and social care in all regions around England.