Employer-supported volunteering

How it works

Employer-supported volunteering (ESV) or corporate volunteering is a scheme where an employer gives employees the opportunity to volunteer with its support. This may be in the form of time off for individual volunteering, or in a programme developed by the employer, such as an on-going arrangement with a community partner.

ESV benefits both the employer and employees at the same time as supporting the wider community.

Find out more about the benefits of the scheme

How your business will benefit

you will increase public awareness of you and your people
you will demonstrate commitment to your local community, building up both your reputation and profile
your staff will develop skills and a real sense of accomplishment thus improving their morale, loyalty and ultimately staff retention
you can motivate and support your employees by offering resources to help them get involved in causes they care about.

How the community benefits

by bringing employers closer to the community with opportunities for employers/employees to find out about local issues
by maximising the impact of voluntary activity through access to more volunteers and skills
by providing an opportunity to widen networks
by creating ways to harness skills, knowledge and energy for the benefit of the community
by creating ways to find common solutions between the voluntary and business sectors
by increasing the opportunities for people from different backgrounds to work together.

How ESV helps the voluntary sector

by bringing new and valuable skills, as well as a wealth of knowledge
by bringing a fresh perspective and by providing access to teams of volunteers who can plan and carry out major tasks
by improving understanding between the voluntary and business sectors
by fostering long term relationships
by helping raise the profile and increase public awareness of community organisations
by increasing understanding between people from different backgrounds and cultures
through partnering with a key voluntary organisation, such as ourselves, it can ensure voluntary support is going where it’s needed.

What your employees will get out of it

they will have the opportunity to try volunteering in a fun and friendly way
they will be offered training and their skills will be developed
they will have the opportunity to meet new people and serve the community
they will get a managed volunteering experience with briefing, advice and support from us
their needs will be taken into account by careful structuring of the volunteering opportunities offered to them.

What an employee volunteer might do

offer practical help to conservation organisations
deliver a Social Networking workshop to local groups
help local groups with designing and setting up a website
give help with computer systems and with networking computers, etc
help develop a project and a business plan
give advice on marketing and publicity
help a group develop a fundraising strategy
become a charity trustee
provide HR support to a small charity by helping them review and update their general HR policies
give inspiring talks to groups of young people about careers and business or act as a mentor.

Your next step

If you are interested in obtaining more information about how we can help your employees volunteer locally, you can contact us to arrange an initial discussion.

You can also download a leaflet (PDF) that summarises the points we’ve made and includes contact information. You may freely print and distribute this to interested staff or contact us for printed copies.

Examples

Dalcour Maclaren

In Spring 2024, the Bristol Office of the environmental company Dalcour Maclaren spent a morning volunteering at the Krunch Thornbury Youth Club, a fantastic community organisation dedicated to supporting young people by helping them develop essential life skills and build confidence through a variety of programmes and activities.

The team pitched in to help get Krunch ready for summer camps and workshops. The members put gardening and DIY skills to the test by building a sturdy shed for storage space and weeding the grounds to ensure a safe and clean environment for the children. They wrapped up their hard work with some well-deserved bacon sandwiches!

Ultimate Finance

The Relationship Management team from Ultimate Finance in Bradley Stoke took advantage of the lovely weather to help out at the Rudgeway Donkey Sanctuary as part of a team building day.

Having been referred by us the team started their day by mucking out the stables and refreshing the hay, then bagging up the poo ready for sale to the public. They filled up water and feed buckets and then in the afternoon they brought the donkeys in from the fields and back into their pens.

Lesley, one of the volunteers, said “We didn’t know donkeys liked extra strong mints but along with apples and carrots they wolfed them down. The donkeys were so friendly and Jean, the owner, is such a lovely lady and was so grateful for our help. We are planning on going back again”.