The Womens Voluntary Service was formed in 1938 by Lady Stella Reading to prepare for ww2 by recruiting women volunteers for duties in the A.R.P program ( Air Raid Patrol ). These duties including setting up rest centres during & after air raids & caring for people by providing food, shelter, 1st Aid, also relocating & boarding evacuated children who were sent to live away from bombed city's & town's. The organisation also had other roles such as knitting clothing such as gloves & socks for Merchant Seamen & also salvage collection from bombed buildings etc. 
The organisation continued after ww2 & concentrated more on social care & welfare, assisting the newly formed N.H.S ( National Health Service ) in 1947. 
In 1966 the organisation was awarded the title ROYAL & became Womens Royal Voluntary Service in recognition for it's wartime & post war work. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2nd is the patron of the service. In 1992 the organisation became a registered charity & in 2004 the title was shortened to simply W.R.V.S. The main role of the charity today is to help & care for vulnerable people in communities & is one of the largest care charities in the U.K. 
In 2013 again a title change to Royal Voluntary Service or simply R.V.S
This boxed medal & certificate is in excellent condition as issued & un named. The medal was instituted in 1961 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2nd in recognition of its members valued work for the community & is awarded for 15 years of long service.