Volunteering & Community Outreach

I have been volunteering for 7 years for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and I am the Chair of the Branch, this work is very important to me and keeps me grounded in the profession and enables me to give back to my peers in HR and the wider business community.

It is heart-warming to know that I am not alone in wanting to help by giving my free time to support the community. Research carried out by The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) shows that over 14 million people in the UK volunteer their time at least once a month to a charitable cause, organisation or activity, a figure that has stayed stable in recent years.

It’s official - volunteering is holding its own. And as this trend continues more and more businesses are realising the positive impact that volunteering can have on their organisation and exploring opportunities to get involved.

Why do people volunteer?

Volunteering provides opportunities to give something back to the community, share skills and experience, learn new things and make new friends. Everyone’s motivation is different, but research shows that regular volunteers repeatedly report that their activities have had a positive impact on their lives.

Why is it important for Employers to encourage volunteering?

As responsible businesses and employers it is vital that we demonstrate our commitment to our communities, our clients, our people and their families. Supporting volunteers helps an organisation build links with the local community and has a positive impact on its reputation within it. There are also many other demonstrable benefits to the business.