Benefits of Organisations Engaging in Voluntary Work

Volunteering and fundraising are fantastic ways for companies to give back to the community, boost employee morale, and build a stronger team spirit. In today's world, where companies are often under scrutiny for their impact on society, engaging in voluntary work is no longer just a feel-good activity, it's a strategic move with far-reaching benefits for all. When companies encourage and support their team in giving back to the community, it creates a positive ripple effect that touches everyone involved.

At HubGem, the process of choosing our chosen charities to support is employee-led in order to achieve team alignment with a shared goal. Considering your company values and the sector in which you service can be key when deciding on the charities that you choose to support. At HubGem, we service the education sector which reflects our core values, leading to a team decision that our volunteering and fundraising efforts should support a wide range of children charities- enabling us to tailor our activities accordingly.

Benefits for Employees:

Increased Engagement and Purpose: Volunteering allows employees to step outside their daily routines and make a real difference in the world. This can lead to a renewed sense of purpose and motivation, translating into higher engagement and productivity within work.
Skill Development and Growth: Volunteering opportunities often expose employees to new challenges and experiences, helping them develop valuable skills they can bring back to their roles. This can range from communication and teamwork to problem-solving and leadership. 
Improved Well-being and Stress Reduction: Giving back to the community can have a profound impact on an individual's well-being. Volunteering has been shown to reduce stress, boost mood, and increase overall happiness.
Team Building and Stronger Bonds: Working together on volunteer projects fosters collaboration and communication among employees, strengthening relationships and building a more cohesive team spirit.

Benefits for Organisations:

Increased Employee Retention and Loyalty:  Employees who feel valued and supported by their company in their desire to volunteer and see that the company’s values align with their own, are more likely to be loyal and stay with the company longer.
Improved Community Relations: Volunteering allows companies to build positive relationships with the communities they operate in, creating goodwill and fostering a sense of shared responsibility.
Greater Innovation and Problem-Solving: Exposure to different perspectives and challenges gained through volunteering can spark creativity and lead to innovative solutions within the company.
Enhanced Reputation and Image: Organisations that actively support volunteering are doing their duty towards being more socially responsible, attracting and retaining top talent and customers who hold similar values.

Making it Happen:

For organisations looking to start their volunteering journey, there are several ways to get started:

Develop a volunteer program: This should include identifying causes that align with the company's values and employee interests, providing paid time off for volunteering, and offering support in participating in opportunities.
Collaborate with non-profit organisations: Identifying meaningful volunteer projects that utilise employees' skills and interests.

Recognise and celebrate employee contributions: Publicly acknowledge and appreciate employees who volunteer their time; this reminds them that they are valued and inspires others to participate.

Ideas for Volunteering and Fundraising Activities:

Get hands-on: Helping to build or design things in the community, such as community gardens. This is a great way to get some exercise, learn new skills, and make a real difference in someone's life.

Donation drop: Organise a team donation drop to your local charities - donate clothes, household items or food to local food banks.

Clean up your community: Organise a team volunteer day to pick up trash in a local park, riverbank, or neighbourhood. You'll be helping the environment and making your community a more beautiful place.

Take part in physical challenges: Get involved in team challenges to fundraise for charity - take part in company specific challenges or participate as a team in organised events throughout the country. There’s plenty of examples to choose from, park runs, Santa races, a charity 10k, Race for Life, collective team distance challenges, mountain climbs or events such as Tough Mudder.

Spread the holiday cheer: Volunteer at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter during the holidays. You can serve meals, wrap gifts, or simply spend time with people who might be alone during that time of year.

Organise a coffee morning: As a team, get baking and hold a coffee morning to raise awareness and fundraise for your chosen charity. A Coffee Morning can be whatever you want it to be, it could be at an office, a hall or online, whatever suits your organisation best. MacMillan’s Coffee Morning is a nation-wide event and a great way to support adults and children living with cancer.

Mentor the next generation: Partner with a local school or youth organisation to provide mentorship and support to young people. This could involve anything from career counselling to extracurricular activities.

Get techy with a digital volunteering project: There are many organisations that need help with website design, social media management, or data entry. If your company has tech-savvy employees, this is a great way to put their skills to good use.

Share your professional expertise: Offer consulting services to non-profit organisations or small businesses. This is a great way to give back and use your skills to make a real impact.

Become a virtual volunteer: There are many websites that connect volunteers with online tasks, such as translating documents, transcribing audio recordings, or writing blog posts. This is a great option for employees who have limited time or mobility.

Support a cause you care about: There are countless organisations working on important issues like environmental protection, animal welfare, and human rights. Find a cause that your employees are passionate about and encourage them to volunteer their time or donate money.

Types of volunteering and charitable activities at HubGem:

Wardrobe drops – team donation of pre-loved clothes and household items to local charitable organisations.
Team Hill Climb- HubGem team tackling hills, peaks, and mountains across the UK to raise money for Children with Cancer, UK.
Harvest Festival Events- team donation of food to local food banks across the country.
London to Paris Challenge- collective team distance (walking, running, cycling or taking part in national events) to achieve the total of 286.6 miles!
Red Nose Day- wearing red noses during calls to raise awareness and fundraise for Children In Need.

Donation of Marketing or CRM services and support to non-profit organisations.
Team Mentoring – team members providing mentoring opportunities to school, university and college students.

Voluntary work is a win-win situation for both companies and their employees. By investing in programmes that encourage and support employee volunteering, companies can create a more engaged and productive workforce, build stronger communities, and enhance their reputation. Remember, even small acts of kindness can have a significant impact, and the positive ripple effect of corporate volunteering can make a real difference in the world.