Following two years consultation between Watford Borough Councillors and interested local voluntary organisations under the leadership of Alderman Robert Caton and Audrey Deacon, at that time Secretary of the Hertfordshire CVS (later to become Community Council for Herts), Watford Council for Voluntary Service was inaugurated in May 1974. The first Chairman was Clifford Warburton with Mrs. Myrtle Frith as Honorary Secretary.
The Organisation was managed by an Executive Committee which was composed of representatives from the interested local organisations and for two years concentrated on sub-committees to start a Volunteer Bureau, Emergency Furniture Unit and a Bureau for retired people needing part-time jobs
It was suggested that the Council for Voluntary Services (later to be known as Watford CVS, so as not to be confused with Watford Council) should start as a Centre for information and communication and, as resources are available, to start providing some support for local organisations
The Constitution for the CVS was adopted on 20th May 1974 and amended in June 1986. In 1987 an Equal Opportunities Policy was adopted. This was reviewed in 2000 and amended accordingly. In 2002 the CVS became a Company Limited by Guarantee and now has it Memorandum and Articles as its governing document.
Originally the CVS and Volunteer Bureau Offices were based in St. Johns Institute, Escourt Road, but in December 1980 moved to St. Thomas Centre, Langley Road, Watford. In 1997 The CVS was moved to 149 The Parade which has spacious offices with conference room and meeting room facilities.
