Businesses prioritising environment for employee volunteer drives
New research by national volunteering charity, Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) reveals that environment and conservation is the leading cause area being supported by employee volunteering in UK businesses. Two-in-five companies who offer paid volunteering time to staff, choose to donate their time to charities working to protect the planet.
The survey took in the opinions of 1,000 businesses across the UK. And in the wake of COP30 climate conference, it found that environmental and conservation projects are the most popular ways for firms to offer their staff a chance to ‘give back’.
The largest 39% chunk said that environmental issues were a top area they supported through employee volunteering. That was closely followed by health and social care on 38%, while supporting children and young people was on 34% – though firms were allowed to pick more than one cause, so there is some cross-over between firms which offer multiple options.
Katie Booth, marketplace director for Royal Voluntary Service, said, “Employee volunteering has enormous potential to create social and environmental impact and it’s encouraging to see businesses using their people power to drive positive change. By supporting employees to give their time, the effects extend far beyond the workplace – from revitalised green spaces and cleaner beaches to collecting vital conservation data and fostering stronger, more connected communities.”
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a form of international business self-regulation. By undertaking CSR projects, private companies look to make themselves socially accountable to their staff, stakeholders, and the public – contributing to the goals of a philanthropic, activist, or charitable nature by engaging in pro bono programs, community development, raising funds, or administering monetary grants to non-profit organisations for the society or the planet’s benefit.
But beyond this, studies suggest there are key benefits which companies could avail themselves of, if they take CSR more seriously. Further Royal Voluntary Service analysis recently estimated that employee volunteering could unlock a £32.5 billion productivity boost for the UK economy annually. To help firms realise this, the group has since launched a consulting team, which will help clients deploy volunteering to boost employee productivity and wellbeing.
To grow the impact of volunteering nationwide, Royal Voluntary Service has also recently launched GoVo. The new digital volunteering platform, made possible by players of People’s Postcode Lottery makes volunteering simpler and more flexible. Its launch comes as a separate study reveals UK charities face a shortfall of 3 million volunteers in the coming year – jeopardising essential services from hospices, conservation, animal welfare and local community support.
More than 4000 charities, large, small, national and local have signed up to GoVo. And every postcode brings up 150 volunteer roles to choose from – catering to a wide range of interests, passions and schedules. It will also launch for businesses later in 2025, making it easier for them to activate their employee volunteering initiatives, connect staff with the causes they care about, and track impact.
Booth added, “87% of businesses say volunteering is important to their company purpose and ESG strategy. Yet, millions of corporate volunteering hours go unused each year. The intention is there, but organisations often struggle to find suitable opportunities that fit with busy work schedules. GoVo will help change that, enabling employers to easily set up and manage volunteering activities with a range of good causes.”
