RESOURCES

These schemes don’t just extend to the large corporates and public sector – about 61% of small and medium sized businesses are involved in giving back to their communities in some way.

Many organisations already offer communities and charities in the form of:

·         Donations;

·         Payroll giving schemes, such as Give as You Earn

·         Charity of the Year partnerships;

·         Recycling office equipment;

·         Secondments;

·         Giving of time

·         Sponsoring a particular person or animal;

·         Taking part in national or local fund-raising efforts, such as Comic Relief, the Largest Coffee Morning in the World

The benefits for employers of setting up schemes whereby employees can volunteer or give back are many. 

1. It shows commitment to the local community;
2. Volunteering can be used as a great way to boost employees’ skills and confidence;
3. It can provides useful and effective team building opportunities amongst their employees;
4. Employees enjoy the satisfaction of giving back to the community.
5. A greater social understanding between the volunteers and those they are seeking to benefit emerges, thereby lessening social barriers.
6. It can provide a great break from the routine of work, enthusing employees with a new energy and dynamism.

Examples of voluntary activities include:

1. Helping with administration tasks, such as mail merge, which volunteers may find a challenge but which an administrator can do within an hour;

2. Practical tasks, such as painting a hall, or creating a walkway through grounds;

3. Reading to children, mentoring a young person in a school or taking part in a scheme such as Young Enterprise.

Why not ask your employer if they have a volunteering scheme and if not, ask if you can set one up? 

To find out more, visit www.employeevolunteering.org.uk.  There’s lost of useful information and practical tips for all employers large and small.