Introduction to the Order of Malta Volunteers

The Order of Malta Volunteers was founded in 1974 with two enduring aims:

• To give people with disabilities opportunities for experiences away from their day to day lives.
• To give young people (17 – 29) the opportunity to care, volunteer, and grow through service.

We are the youth branch of the Order of Malta in Great Britain, part of a centuries-old tradition of service to the sick and the poor.

For over 50 years, OMV has provided care and companionship to the disabled, the lonely, and those often overlooked by society. Over the decades, OMV has reached over 725 sick and disabled guests, supported thousands more through international and local projects, and shaped the lives of nearly 4,000 young volunteers.

OMV is more than a charity. It’s a transformative experience. Lifelong friendships and marriages have grown from our shared service. Many of our volunteers return year after year, and an ever-growing number of second and third generation OMVers continue the legacy of faith in action.

Our flagship activity is the annual Lourdes pilgrimage, where around 185 volunteers, including medics and chaplains, support 40 hospital pilgrims with dignity, love, and joy. Each year, we welcome a new intake of around 60 young volunteers, many of whom go on to careers in medicine, nursing, education, or charity work.

All our events combine three core values:

• CARE

  Volunteers provide hands-on support for our guests’ physical needs. It’s a steep learning curve, but one filled with purpose. Training, teamwork, and compassion are central, and many return year after year.

• SPIRITUAL

  We are a Catholic organisation with a strong chaplaincy team. Our activities offer space for reflection, prayer, and discussion. Faith is not a prerequisite. It’s a journey we walk together. The OMV’s spirituality is lived through devotion, charity, and joy, and deepens through service.

• SOCIAL

  The OMV is a joyful, welcoming community. Volunteers form lasting friendships through shared experiences, informal socials, and events like our monthly Mass and the White Knights Ball. We celebrate together, and support one another beyond the pilgrimage.

The OMV is entirely volunteer-run and funded by donations. We continue to grow while staying true to the founding vision: to serve with love, humility, and joy. Join our family and discover what it means to live your faith through action. What we do.