What is Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV)?

Also known as Corporate Volunteering, Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV), is becoming increasingly popular. It is when a company encourages and enables its employees to volunteer for charities or community groups. This can be by offering paid time off during work hours for volunteering activities, or it may mean organising group volunteer days, or even just promoting opportunities. ESV benefits the employer, employees, and the community.

However, some businesses are still unsure where to begin when developing a volunteering programme. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of ESV, ways to engage with charities, and the support businesses can offer to their employees.

Benefits of ESV

Employees who are encouraged to volunteer locally are more likely to feel part of the local community and experience a boost to their wellbeing. A more engaged workforce can lead to increased retention rates. Promoting volunteering is a signal to your employees that you care about others and not just your bottom line.

Volunteering as a team can lead to improved communication and strengthened relationships in the work environment and help develop key skills such as leadership, teamwork, planning, and confidence.

ESV strengthens connections with the local community, enhances brand reputation, and supports your Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives.

Volunteering can also boost productivity and develop key skills such as leadership, teamwork, planning, and confidence.

FHASS Employability Hub article: The Benefits of Volunteering: Enhancing Skills Development while Helping Individuals and the Community

NCVO article: Volunteer impacts - Time Well Spent: A national survey on the volunteer experience

Pro Bono Institute article: Driving Impact and Engagement: The Business Case for Corporate Volunteerism

3 Ways to Volunteer or Engage with a Charity

1. Donating equipment or resources

Businesses can support charities by donating items such as office furniture, IT equipment, or other resources. These contributions help charities reduce operational costs and improve their working environments.

2. Fundraising

Many organisations select preferred charities to fundraise for throughout the year. This can take the form of challenges such as sponsored runs, or other events such as bake sales to raise money and awareness.

3. Sharing skills

Skill sharing is a powerful way for employees to contribute meaningfully to the voluntary sector by offering their professional knowledge and experience. This approach can have a lasting impact on both the charity and the individual.

Here are some effective ways to share skills:

• Joining Trustee Boards

Employees with experience in finance, HR, legal, marketing, or governance can bring valuable insights to charity boards. Serving as a trustee helps charities make strategic decisions and ensures good governance, while giving employees leadership experience and a broader perspective. Rooted in Community: Natalie's Experience as a Fusion Trustee .

• Mentoring and Coaching

Professionals can mentor charity staff or volunteers, helping them develop skills in areas such as project management, communications, or digital tools. This builds capacity within the charity and fosters personal growth for both mentor and mentee.

• Pro Bono Services

Businesses can offer free professional services—such as legal advice, graphic design, IT support, or financial planning—to charities that may not have the budget for these resources. This can be done as one-off projects or ongoing support.

• Workshops and Training Sessions

Employees can run workshops for charity teams on topics like leadership, safeguarding, fundraising strategy, or digital marketing. These sessions help upskill charity staff and volunteers, improving their effectiveness and confidence.

• Flexible Volunteering Days

Instead of one-off volunteering days, employees can spread their time across the year to support a charity’s ongoing work. This might include helping with communications, data analysis, or strategic planning during quieter periods at work.

Skill sharing not only strengthens the charity sector but also enhances employee engagement, professional development, and a sense of purpose.

Volunteering Days

Volunteering days as a small team offer a great opportunity to bond with colleagues, contribute to the community, and enjoy a sense of accomplishment. Ensuring employees feel involved in the planning and decision to participate is vital, as is making sure the outcomes benefit the voluntary organisation. There should be no cost, or additional burden to the voluntary group.

Here’s How We Can Help You

Visit Volunteer Cambs to see if there is an opportunity that suits you, or join the Volunteer Pool

Beyond Volunteer Cambs:

There are some excellent networks and platforms that can help strengthen links between the voluntary sector and business. Take a look at:

• Get Synergised & Networking with Purpose, delivered by Rachel Hales, is a must for companies working in Cambridge.

This consultancy and award-winning With Purpose Network helps businesses, charities, and public sector organisations collaborate for meaningful impact.

• Match my Project

Match My Project is a platform connecting community projects with businesses and suppliers offering support. It helps organisations deliver social value by matching resources like skills, materials, services, or funding to local needs. The goal is to strengthen community resilience and create long-term economic, social, and environmental benefits for Cambridge. Locally, there is one platform for Cambridge City Council and another for Cambridgeshire County Council.