Volunteering: why it matters more than ever

This year, Volunteers’ Week starts on 1^st June.  It’s a timely reminder that volunteering is not just about giving back – it’s about standing together, building inclusive communities and creating opportunities for all.

At People Business, we believe volunteering is a cornerstone of a healthy, purpose-driven workplace. It strengthens teams, builds empathy and connects people to causes that matter.

Volunteering builds solidarity – and skills

Volunteering is more than a good deed. It’s a proven way to develop leadership, communication and problem-solving skills. According to the UK’s latest Community Life Survey, volunteering levels remain below pre-pandemic highs, with formal volunteering still not fully recovering to 2013–2019 levels, despite a rebound in community engagement since COVID-19. Since the pandemic, volunteering has become more flexible and skills-based, with many people preferring short-term, remote, or project-based opportunities rather than traditional long-term commitments.

This continued gap highlights the need for organisations to actively support and encourage volunteering.

As Matt Hyde, Chief Executive of the Scouts, said during the King’s Coronation Big Help Out: “This is more than about one day… this is about a legacy of volunteering in this country.”

Why volunteering matters to the future workforce

Today’s workforce – especially Gen Z – expects more from employers than just a payslip. According to Deloitte’s 2024 Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey:

• 77% of Gen Zs say it’s important to work for an organisation whose values align with their own.
• The majority want their employer to take action on social and environmental issues.
• Volunteering and community engagement are seen as key indicators of a company’s authenticity and purpose.

For younger employees, volunteering is increasingly seen as part of career development, not just corporate social responsibility.

For HR leaders, this is a call to action: embedding volunteering into your culture isn’t just good for society, it’s essential for attracting and retaining talent.  Organisations that actively support volunteering report higher employee engagement, stronger retention and improved team cohesion.

How we champion volunteering at work

At People Business, we don’t just talk about volunteering, we live it. Here’s how we embed it into our culture:

• Volunteering policy: Every employee receives a paid day off each year to volunteer. This flexibility empowers our team to support causes close to their hearts.
• Partnerships with purpose: We proudly sponsor the Fearless Girls Club; our latest initiative has provided their young members with personal development eLearning to build confidence and career readiness.
• School outreach: Our team regularly visits schools to offer career counselling, CV support and interview coaching, helping young people prepare for the world of work.
• Celebrating our volunteers: From food banks to park runs, community pubs to school PTAs, our team volunteers in diverse and meaningful ways. We celebrate these efforts in our newsletters and social media to inspire others.

Why HR should lead the way

HR professionals are uniquely positioned to promote a culture of volunteering. Here’s how:

• Create a volunteering policy: Set clear guidelines and make it easy for employees to get involved.
• Align with company values: Partner with charities and causes that reflect your organisation’s mission.
• Recognise and reward: Celebrate volunteer efforts publicly – it boosts morale and encourages participation.
• Make it easy, not admin-heavy: Use paid volunteering days, simple approval processes, and pre-vetted charity partnerships to remove barriers to participation.

Let’s stand together

Volunteering is a powerful act of solidarity. It brings people together across backgrounds, generations and industries. During Volunteers Week, let’s commit to making volunteering a visible, valued part of workplace culture.

If you’d like support introducing a volunteering policy or building a purpose-led culture, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at info@peoplebusiness.co.uk.