Why does employee volunteering matter to our corporate and community partners?

To celebrate the 25^th birthday of our employee volunteering department, we asked our corporate and community partners why employee volunteering matters to them.

This is what some of them told us…

“Without all the lovely volunteers our school could not remain open. They are invaluable to us and we appreciate them so much.” Viv Morgan, Chair of Trustees at Northleigh House School in Warwick. The school was set up to support young people who have experienced bullying. We have regularly placed volunteers from National Grid at this school for three years.

“It was great to get involved in a project that is so valuable to the local community and gives great opportunities for adults and children with learning disabilities.” Nicola Stranks, National Grid volunteer. A team of 10 volunteers recently spent the day giving Stonebridge City Farm a much-needed makeover.

“Impact Days with Volunteering Matters offer Deloitte employees and clients the opportunity to use their skills to benefit society, build relationships, and to make an impact that matters.

Impact Days support multiple beneficiaries, helping them to overcome barriers to education and employment by giving them the skills and opportunities they need to succeed. All Impact Days focus on one impact goal and are aligned to Deloitte’s Responsible Business programme.” Jess Ronan, Assistant Manager, Clients and Markets, at Deloitte. We have been placing Deloitte volunteers at community projects since 2005.

“Why does employee volunteering matter to me?  Put simply, because it makes a difference. It makes a difference to our people, enabling them to give back to causes they care about, to connect with their colleagues, to develop their skills, and it makes a difference to the hundreds of charities we support.

At a time when the pressure on charities has never been higher or funding cuts harsher, volunteers can be a life line bringing resource, skills and energy. The giving of time is profoundly valuable for everyone involved, quite simply – Volunteering Matters.” Suzi Pegg, Vodafone Programme Manager for ‘Giving Something Back’.

“I feel a real sense of pride to say that I volunteer for Wirral Hospice. I know what great things they are doing for their patients and I can say that I have helped develop the volunteers in the charity shop, therefore, I am helping the charity. 

It was a special moment when I received my lanyard- it represents that I give my time, I contribute and my confidence has grown because of this. 

Volunteering matters to me. Thank you.” Kayleigh Nayland, Operations Trainer at the Co-operative Group

“Employee volunteers not only support our Corporate Citizenship programmes, but the activities they undertake also offer employees the opportunity to develop valuable skills transferable into the workplace.” Krysia Kozniewska, Charities and Fundraising Manager, Deutsche Bank AG.

“Working together to help achieve a common goal and support the local community really brought us together. We learnt about each other’s strengths outside of the work environment; something that we can now take back with us to help become a more collaborative and successful team.” Gemma Hatt, National Grid volunteer. Gemma and her colleagues spent the day at Brent Lodge Park Animal Centre, and helped to improve the site facilities for both the animals and the general public.