Business in the Community (BITC) has launched its 2013 Give and Gain Day, the UK’s national day of employee volunteering.
Give and Gain Day will be held on 17 May 2013.
So far, more than 60,000 employees across 31 countries have participated in Give and Gain Day, which was first introduced in 2008.
In 2012, 391 organisations across 28 countries sent out 19,000 employees to take part in Give and Gain Day, benefiting 339 community organisations. Volunteers helped in schools, day centres and youth groups.
For example, volunteers from Accenture, Marks and Spencer and the Royal Mail spent a morning supporting BITC’s Ready for Work programme, which helps people facing challenges to gain employment.
Another activity saw volunteers from Lloyds Banking Group visit Winton Primary School in North London. The volunteers helped refurbish and brighten up the school’s main hall.
Gennie Franklin, director of programmes and employee volunteering at Business in the Community, said: “Employee volunteering has the power to transform business and communities.
“It’s a win-win, the experience builds skills and motivates employees; 86% of the employees that took part in 2012 said that they have increased loyalty towards their employer as a result.”
Paul Turner, group community and sustainable business director at Lloyds Banking Group, which is one of the day’s sponsors, added: “We are deeply committed to playing an active part in the communities where we live, work and do business.
“Employees across the Lloyds Banking Group volunteer throughout the year, but Give and Gain Day provides the perfect focal point. Everyone who takes part loves coming together on the day, sharing their skills and energy and helping to make a difference.
“We have seen a year-on-year doubling of employee volunteers, with 34,000 in 2012.”