History - Celebrating 90 years in 2009

NCVO started in 1919 as the National Council of Social Services thanks to a £1,000 legacy from Edward Vivian Birchall who died at the Somme in France in 1916 on his 32nd birthday.

Many now well-established voluntary organisations, including Age Concern, Charities Aid Foundation and Citizens Advice Bureaux started out as projects within NCVO.

We look forward to another 90 years of service to the sector as society evolves in the 21st century.

With 7,000 organisations in membership, we are the largest umbrella body in the voluntary sector.

Our members enjoy the feeling of community that comes from being part of a group of organisations with similar values. Our members share many of the same issues and challenges. Join NCVO now.

Updated January 2009

History of NCVO

NCVO started in 1919 as the National Council of Social Services, just after the First World War.

Although there was clear evidence at that time of the need to set up a new national organisation to bring the voluntary bodies together and into closer relationships with government departments, it was only made possible through a legacy from Edward Vivian Birchall who died of wounds in France on his 32nd birthday.

Edward had played a large part in the voluntary sector in his short life and before his death he wrote a note (which is preserved in the Imperial War Museum) to his friend S. P. Grundy, which read

'If I am scuppered I'm leaving you £1,000 to do some of the things we talked about'

This legacy enabled the creation and sustainablility of the National Council of Social Services in it early years, which later changed its name to the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.

Along the way NCVO has continued against an ever-changing social background, to support the sector and speak to government. Many now well-established voluntary organisations started out as projects within NCVO

• ACRE
• Age Concern
• BOND
• Charities Aid Foundation
• Citizens Advice Bureaux
• Community Matters
• Marriage Guidance Councils
• SIA
• Standing Committee of Women's Social Services
• Youth Hostels Association
• Young Farmers Club

NCVO continues to develop new areas of work and houses independent projects such as the Compact.

A Selective Summary of NCVO's Work and Origins

Read NCVO's Work and Origins from 1919 to 1993.

Find out about NCVO's work and support our work.