Employer supported volunteering, or corporate volunteering, is where the employees of an organisation take time to volunteer during work hours or organise volunteer activities. Employees might choose to support a charity or community group, or take up an opportunity provided by their workplace.
Action Together connects volunteers with charities and voluntary organisations across Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside. We work with local groups to develop volunteering projects and roles, and can match workplaces that want to volunteer with local organisations who need their help.
To learn more about corporate volunteering, watch our #WednesdayWeekly session on YouTube.
What are the benefits of volunteering for businesses?
- Learn and develop skills - employees can develop workplace skills like leadership and communication while learning about new activities
- Strengthen workplace relationships - group volunteering can provide great team building exercises in a different environment
- Increased employee engagement - employees get time off work while taking pride in giving back to their community
- Corporate Social Responsibility - volunteering can be a key part of any Corporate Social Responsibility strategy
- Positive public engagement - we promote and celebrate the contributions of local businesses
- Make a difference for local charities - local charities always need more voluntary help and support
What sort of voluntary activities can businesses get involved in?
We can match workplaces with local activity days, team challenges and one-off events. This might include green projects, clean ups, or supporting food hubs.
We also work alongside local businesses on appeals, such as our annual Tameside Toy Appeal.
How to get involved
If you’re an organisation or business and want to get involved in Employer Supported Volunteering, get in touch with us at volunteering@actiontogether.org.uk or call 0161 339 2345
Keep an eye on our Twitter and LinkedIn to find out more.
Examples of employer supported volunteering
"I'm getting to meet all these great colleagues I wouldn't have necessarily known before and I know I'm helping out a very, very valued cause."
We connected volunteers from four Timberland UK workplaces with a volunteering opportunity at Leap's Community Allotment. The Timberland team worked together to improve the allotment and help Leap develop the area for a new event space.
"It's a fantastic opportunity for people like me who are office based."
British Gas provide two volunteer days for employees at their contact centre, and decided to use the time to support The Bread and Butter Thing in Tameside. 70 British Gas volunteers helped provide food from the hub for people in Tameside.