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Employer-supported volunteering

What is it?

Employer-supported volunteering (ESV) or corporate volunteering is a scheme by which 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.

How will your business 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 can the community benefit?

  • 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 will ESV help 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.

From the employee’s perspective

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

What an Employee Volunteer might do

  • 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.

ESV in action

These are some local examples of employer-supported volunteering.

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.

Two members of the team attack some weeds.
Two members of the team attack some weeds

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!

Emma Hall of Dalcour Maclaren wrote, “It was a rewarding experience to come together and support this incredible organisation. Our efforts will help make this summer camp a memorable one for the young people.” Penny Baker of Krunch Southwest responded, “Thank you for all your hard work! It was a pleasure having you with us and we are very grateful for the time you have taken to support our work.”

Team members scything in woods.
A team of five employees from the company more recently held a team building day at Filnore Woods where they spent a gloriously sunny day scything the overgrown areas. They had a great time.

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.

A member of the team with donkeys.
A member of the team settles donkeys into their pen.

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”.

Motability

Two colleagues from Motability also recently spent their employee volunteering day with the donkeys. They were welcomed by Jean, the owner, and they helped with a range of activities, which included guiding the donkeys in from the field, cleaning out their stables, feeding them, general care and helping when they were having their shoes replaced. Jean was very appreciative of their support and they had a lovely day.

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Thornbury Volunteer Centre is a registered charity, number 1180775. This site © Thornbury Volunteer Centre 2016-. Site design by Michael Quinion. Page last updated 21 Jan. 2025.