Why would I volunteer on an employer supported volunteering programme?
As with about half the people in this country, you may already volunteer and find it really enjoyable and worthwhile. Employer supported volunteering is volunteering supported by your employer, which can make it easier to get involved and open up new opportunities to volunteer.
"Half of people in England had undertaken formal or informal volunteering at least once a month in the last year."
2005 Citizenship Survey
Employer supported volunteering can help you to:
- meet new people
- cement relationships with colleagues
- get the chance to make a difference to something you care about
- explore new situations and challenges
- add variety to your work and life
- give you a sense of achievement
- build new skills
See what some employer supported volunteers said about their experience:
“I found the secondary school mentoring programme a very rewarding experience. The students have a fresh outlook on life and help put work into perspective”.
Joelle Drapper, CIM Supply Chain, Watford.
“It was great to develop new skills by completing such a worthwhile project. I’m already benefiting, now I am back at the office”.
Helen Pethybridge, challenge co-ordinator, Diageo
“A group of about 10 of us at the bank have decided to volunteer at Wythenshawe community farm to help set up a riding stable for local people…I’ve only recently moved to Manchester, so I don’t know either the area of the people terribly well and I see volunteering as a great way, not just of putting something back into the community, but also of getting to know more of what’s going in the area beyond the four walls of the bank. It’s also a great way to get to know my work colleagues better.”
Nick Websdell, Business Adviser, Co-operative Bank
“It’s really enjoyable to have a story read to you, knowing that you have helped the reader to read and understand it. I’m really glad I got involved in the programme”.
Annette Brown, OMB, Ipswich, KPMG
“I had never before had the opportunity to take responsibility for the end to end development of a complete business plan. I have enjoyed this assignment immensely. It has been challenging and provocative and has given me the opportunity to work with some of the most talented people I have ever met. I have had the chance to challenge my personal values and to develop a much greater understanding of disability and access issues, which I will carry with me into the everyday workplace”.
Manager at GPU Power Distribution
