Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is often seen by companies as being ‘nice to have’, or an exercise in positive marketing and PR. However, research shows that giving up time to volunteer can make your employees healthier and less stressed.

In addition to improvements in physical health, the development of employee volunteer and giving programmes is now seen as key to promoting happy staff who feel like they are making a difference and are therefore more likely to stay in their current workplace.

There are many proven benefits – both to a business and its employees - of corporate volunteering. According to research*:

• Nearly 75% of employees say their job is more fulfilling when they are provided opportunities to make a positive impact at work.
• 51% of employees say that they won’t work for a company that doesn’t have a strong commitment to making a positive social and environmental impact.
• Volunteering improves the reputation and motivation of staff, strengthens trust and contributes to building team spirit. 91% of global consumers expect businesses to operate responsibly to address social and environmental issues, whilst 84% say they seek out responsible products wherever possible.
• More consumers than ever are demanding that companies take a more hands-on approach to making the world a better place.

Nick Phillips, CEO of Community Impact Bucks (CIB), says: “It’s never been easier to give up your time and give something back to the community. Charities in Buckinghamshire are really interested in engaging groups of volunteers from the corporate world. We currently have some incredibly interesting volunteering opportunities available to local businesses who would like to get involved in group volunteering, whether it’s helping to build a safe cycle path in Waddesdon, conservation work, or assisting at a music festival in Wycombe.”

Register with Community Impact Bucks to find your CSR activity

To be matched with a charity or community group needing help, businesses just need to register their details in the volunteering section of the Community Impact Bucks website and the business’s time, skills and location requirements will be taken into consideration when finding a suitable project with a local charity.

Lindengate benefits from CIB involvement

CIB has helped Lindengate to find group volunteers for a number of projects on their site, helping those with mental health needs in their continuing recovery. Many of the companies volunteering have returned for more projects and have really become engaged with the charity.

Charlie Powell, Co-Founder, Lindengate, says: “Volunteering brings all sorts of people, young and old and from all walks of life, together, which is life enriching. People exchange ideas. It helps to improve people’s mental and physical health, which is always positive to any community as it has a knock-on effect on others in the community.”

Corporate volunteering is good for your business and for the community - it’s a win-win.

Register with CIB today

Register your company’s details today by going to the volunteering section of the Community Impact Bucks website or calling 0300 111 1250.

Community Impact Bucks is an independent charity that gives support, advice and training to charities, not for profit organisations and community groups. We help groups to get started, be effective and grow. We offer expert advice and training and help charities and groups be more efficient and effective in delivering life changing impact to the people of Buckinghamshire.

*Figures taken from 2016 Cone Communications Employee Engagement Study