It’s Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June 2023) and this year’s theme is ‘Volunteering weaves us together.’

A company’s culture plays a crucial role in shaping its identity and fostering a sense of purpose among its employees. When volunteering becomes an integral part of a company’s culture, it has the power to create a transformative impact that extends beyond the workplace. By working together and volunteering together, companies can generate a ripple effect of positive change, benefiting their employees, the community, and the organisation as a whole.

Company volunteering provides employees with an avenue to engage with causes they are passionate about. When employees feel empowered to contribute their time and skills to meaningful projects, they become more engaged and motivated in their roles. Volunteering can ignite a sense of purpose, allowing employees to connect their work to something greater, resulting in increased job satisfaction, higher productivity, and reduced turnover rates.

Volunteering as a team strengthens the bonds among colleagues and enhances collaboration. When employees work side by side on volunteer projects, they develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for each other’s skills and strengths. This camaraderie translates into improved teamwork and communication within the workplace. The shared experiences and challenges of volunteering creates a foundation of trust and cohesion, fostering a positive and supportive work environment.

Incorporating volunteering into a company’s culture demonstrates a commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). By aligning business objectives with social and environmental initiatives, companies showcase their dedication to making a positive impact on society. Engaging in volunteer activities allows companies to address critical issues, such as employability and education, or supporting underprivileged communities. This commitment enhances the company’s reputation, attracts socially conscious customers, and helps build a sustainable future.

Volunteering provides opportunities for employees to develop new skills, expand their perspectives, and gain valuable experiences outside their usual job roles. It encourages personal growth, fosters empathy, and enhances emotional well-being. Employees who engage in volunteer work often report reduced stress levels and increased fulfillment, leading to a happier and more motivated workforce.

When a company embraces volunteering as part of its culture, it creates a positive public image. The community recognises and appreciates the company’s commitment to social impact, which can attract like-minded individuals and partnerships. Prospective employees are increasingly seeking organisations that prioritise social responsibility, making company volunteering programmes a valuable tool for attracting top talent who share the company’s values.

At Chas Berger, we actively encourage our employees to get involved and support volunteering opportunities by giving additional time off to do so – together we have supported many initiatives, including ripping out and refitting community spaces, producing community gardens and food pantries, supporting a variety of organisations and charities by providing employability training – reading assistance – provision of cold weather packs.  We’ve got a lot planned for the coming year and our latest activity is supporting White Ribbon Organisation where colleagues will be running ASICS 10K London in July in support of the eradication of violence against girls and women. Details on how you can donate to follow soon!

– Lise Campbell Price, Chas Berger Social Value Manager