In the 19th Century, Stroud was home to a wide range of societies and clubs including the scientific "Stroud Athenaeum" and the "Natural History and Philosophical Society" (1876).

Many Recreational Clubs are still thriving today, like the Stroud Choral Society (1835), the annual horticultural show (1932), the district football league (1937) and the Boy Scouts' Association (1910).

Welfare organizations include the Citizens' Advice Bureau (1958) and the Stroud District Nursing Association (1893).