Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service (NCVS) has a rich history spanning 150 years, dedicated to addressing social challenges and supporting the voluntary sector in Nottingham. This year, we want to celebrate!
NCVS: Then and now
Before 1875, Nottingham faced overcrowding, poor sanitation, limited education, and widespread poverty. Life was tough, especially for the working class. Support options included:
- Workhouses: Basic shelter and food in exchange for labour, often with harsh conditions and outside stigma.
- Charities: Offered food, clothing, and financial aid but often lacked coordination.
- Churches: Provided alms, education, and community support.
- Mutual aid societies: Groups pooled resources for members in need, fostering community and self-reliance.
In 1859, the Night Asylum opened for the homeless, followed by the Soup Kitchen in 1860. Yet, many still struggled.
The birth of NCVS
In December 1875, Henrietta Carey founded the Nottingham Society for Organising Charity (NSOC) to bring order to local charitable efforts. Working alongside the Poor Law Authorities, NSOC aimed to improve lives and reduce reliance on workhouses. Its first case was in March 1876.
Evolution and growth
By 1965, NSOC had grown into the Nottingham Council for Voluntary Service (NCVS), broadening its focus to support the entire voluntary sector.
Today
NCVS empowers Nottingham’s voluntary organisations through training, resources, and partnerships. With 150 years of impact, we remain committed to strengthening communities and addressing social challenges.
For more information on NCVS's history, you can visit this page from the Nottinghamshire Heritage Gateway, or our own Our History page.
Share your own NCVS journey!
Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of working with so many incredible voluntary groups and individuals. Whether we’ve supported your organisation, helped you personally, or played a small part in your journey, we’d love to hear how NCVS has made a difference to you!
With the help of students from Confetti (part of Nottingham Trent University), we’re collecting stories to showcase the impact of Nottingham’s voluntary sector. This is a fantastic opportunity to not only celebrate NCVS but also shine a light on the amazing work you do.
Want to be part of it? We'd love to hear from you! Share your story at communications@nottinghamcvs.co.uk, and we’ll be featuring as many as we can—yours could be one of them!
If you’re a former trustee, volunteer, or colleague, please get in touch—we’d love to invite you to a special celebration later in the year.
For more ways to get involved, check out our ‘Coming up’ section below for key dates and events!
Coming up!
There’s lots to look forward to as we celebrate 150 years of supporting Nottingham’s voluntary sector! From special events and key dates to training sessions you won’t want to miss, there’s plenty going on. Check out our special 150th celebration calendar to see what’s coming up, save the dates, and grab your spot at the events that interest you!
View the calendar here (it will open as a pdf).
