The social work and voluntary sector is mourning the loss of Giles Darvill, a respected consultant who dedicated his career to helping organisations harness the power of volunteers. Darvill, who was also a gifted stained glass artist, poet, and nature enthusiast, has died at the age of 81.
A Life Dedicated to Social Work and Volunteering
After qualifying at the University of Cardiff, Giles Darvill began his professional journey as a social worker for the London borough of Kingston upon Thames in 1971. His career took a significant turn in 1975 when he joined the newly established National Volunteer Centre. This organisation was created to bring greater structure and effectiveness to voluntary work across the country.
He remained with the centre until the mid-1980s, at which point he embarked on a solo venture. Giles Darvill set up on his own as a consultant, offering expert advice to social services organisations on optimising their use of volunteers. His expertise was later sought by the National Institute for Social Work, where he continued similar work until his retirement in 2004.
From Hampshire Childhood to Creative Passions
Born in Macclesfield, Cheshire, to George, an RAF pilot, and Ruth, Giles grew up near Ringwood in Hampshire. It was here his lifelong love for the New Forest and the natural world was born. The youngest of five, he was sent to board at St Peter’s preparatory school in Christchurch, Dorset, at just seven years old following his father's death. He later won a scholarship to King's College in Taunton.
While building his professional life, Giles also nurtured a rich creative side. He married speech therapist Gill Taylor in 1974, and they had two children, Hannah and Ben. After moving to Southwell, Nottinghamshire, he took up stained glass making as a serious hobby, creating pieces for family and friends—a practice he continued throughout his life. Following the end of his first marriage, he began a new partnership in 1996.
A Retirement Immersed in Nature and Art
In retirement, Giles returned to Hampshire, settling in Milford on Sea. He transformed an ordinary urban garden into a thriving wildlife haven, complete with ponds, new paths, and unusual planting. His commitment to nature extended to active participation in a local environmental group, where he conducted surveys on bumblebees and birds.
An active member of the local sailing club, he even undertook a bat survey of the old clubhouse before its redevelopment. Alongside his environmental work, he continued crafting stained glass, wrote poetry, and followed Daoist philosophy.
Giles Darvill is survived by his partner, his children Hannah and Ben, and his grandson, Luc. His legacy is one of profound contribution to the social sector and a life richly lived through art and a deep connection to the natural world.
