Employers and ESV: setting up a programme

Some key things to consider if you plan to start an ESV programme from scratch.

What are our objectives?

The resource hub includes a list of some of the benefits organisations and employees value and achieve from their ESV programmes. This can act as a useful starting point to help create the objectives for your organisation.

What activity is already taking place?

Bearing in mind approximately 40% of adults in the UK already volunteer, it’s likely that some of your employees already take part in some volunteering activities. Find out more about what they enjoy and support and use this to build a successful programme.

What support do we need to provide?

There are some main types of support to consider providing as part of your (HR) policy. These include providing flexible time or paid leave for volunteering, facility for payroll giving, match funding for employee nominated causes and in kind donations.

You’ll also want to think about how to support employees to find volunteering roles and opportunities. Will you signpost? Or would you prefer to develop some activities they can participate in?

What resources will we need?

While volunteering is cost effective, it’s not entirely free so you may need to consider how to fund activities and brokerage fees, match funding etc. This may not necessarily be an additional cost to your business, e.g. a training budget could be used for skills development opportunities, employees may choose to undertake fundraising for essential fees and equipment, etc.

Who will co-ordinate the programme? Will it sit within the HR function, a CSR specialist or Public Affairs?

How will we get employees involved?

If the rules of humankind apply to your employees, a small percentage will not want get involved, a lpercentage will already be active and able to share how to do it, and the majority will need some guidance and inspiration.

Think about the ways in which you already guide and support employees through policy, management structure, internal communications such as intranet, in house magazine and creating an interest group or project leader.

Where can I get some advice and help?

There are some great examples of existing programmes that you can learn about along with free guides, information and specialist consultants in the Resource hub.

How do I find volunteering opportunities and activities?

There are a range of options depending on how much resource and experience you have in house already, from searchable websites and high street volunteer centres to specialist brokers who can find you a community partner and provide a ready made volunteering activity or event.

How will we know if it’s worthwhile?

To know whether the original objectives have been met, you’ll need to find out the outcomes for some or all of the groups involved; employees, their line managers, the employer, the charity or community organisation and their service users or beneficiaries.