A SOUTHAMPTON voluntary organisation is set to mark a golden milestone today.

Southampton Voluntary Services (SVS), the umbrella body for local voluntary and community groups working in the city, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The group was formally created in 1968 as the Southampton Council of Social Service Organisations with the aim of supporting, promoting and empowering charities in the city.

SVS started with 42 organisations within the membership and has grown to now supporting over 500 community organisations, charities and social enterprises.

It also runs projects directly working with residents in the city.

To mark the occasion, the group will be holding a reunion event between 11am and 4pm at its Kingsland Square HQ with a number of guest speakers.

They will include Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Matt Hyde, chief executive of the Scout Association, who will speak on voluntary services past, present and future.

They will also be joined on a question-and-answer panel by John Richards, the chief executive of Southampton CCG, and Councillor Satvir Kaur, Southampton City Council’s cabinet member for communities.

A variety of old photos of members past and present over the years will also be on display.

Jo Ash CBE, chief executive officer of SVS, said “It’s a great achievement to have reached our 50th snniversary.

“Over the past five decades, Southampton Voluntary Services has aimed to support Southampton guided by our aims of passion, inclusiveness, independence, innovation and partnership.

“Within the current climate, providing advice, guidance and support to organisations in the city is still as important today as it was in 1968.

“Southampton Voluntary Services will endeavour to continue to build resilience and harness the passion and ideas of individuals, volunteers and organisations into the future. 

“Looking forward in the coming year, we are inviting voluntary groups and volunteers to highlight their positive contributions to city life to form a SO: Good 50 a presentation of voluntary services in Southampton.”

Jo added: “SVS would like to thank all the volunteers and staff who have contributed to our work over the past 50 years.

“Without their commitment and enthusiasm, we wouldn’t have been able to support such a thriving and innovative voluntary sector in Southampton.”