Business volunteers making a difference

Many of businesses would love to give back to their community in whatever way they can, but some have no idea how to go about it!

Most will have a corporate social responsibility policy, where they give their staff a set number of days per year to volunteer.

Employee volunteers are asked to do things like gardening, painting, and similar activities. Of course, they also have lots of unique skills to offer, and can undertake just about any volunteering role!

Natixis & Providence Row

Natixis is a global investment banking company. In 2016 their London office was looking for charities to support. They approached the Mayor’s volunteering team, Team London, to find the right fit for them. With help from Team London, Natixis chose 2 charities to support. One involved education and employability for young people; and one charity that dealt with Homelessness, Providence Row.

The volunteers: how they help

 

The volunteering started out by helping with some building an maintenance. Natixis staff helped to create the roof garden at Providence Row, and still continue to have regular sessions to maintain this lovely space, which provides vegetables and herbs for use in the kitchens, a meditative space, and a training space to provide clients with horticultural skills.

Over the years, Natixis volunteers extended from the roof garden project to using their own experience and knowledge to mentor and upskill the charity staff. They cook up delectable food during lunch challenges, and even did carol singing with local school children in Spitalfields Market during a fundraising event.

This volunteering has created a strong partnership and Natixis staff have benefitted greatly by learning more about the issue of homelessness. It’s great for them to know that they are making a positive impact through volunteering.

Quotes from those involved:

 

“Had an amazing experience with the whole Providence Row team and enjoyed being able to contribute to such impactful work! During my time volunteering, I’d also learnt much more knowledge about the struggles of homelessness beyond any information I’ve known before, which has opened my eyes a lot more and gave me more knowledge to share with others to help tackle homelessness. Thank you!” Natixis staff member

“Providence Row’s partnership with Natixis is invaluable… together we challenge the scandal of homelessness in our communities. We share the responsibility.  The impact of our partnership has been increased considerably because we have been working together for many years… I am hugely grateful to Natixis Investment Managers for their recognition that the challenge of ending homelessness does not have a quick fix but requires long term dedication and commitment to action.” Tom O’Connor, CEO of Providence Row

Employee volunteers: invaluable support

Natixis staff are still volunteering with Providence Row, it is almost part of their working culture!

Employee volunteers can add vital ‘value in kind’ to community organisations and charities. This kind of partnership is a window into other networks and opportunities, both for the employees and the charities they support.

If you are a business, consider offering volunteering support to the many incredible charities throughout London. To all the charities out there in need of support, employee volunteering could be just what you’re after!

To find out more about how to approach a business and engage their staff in your organisation, see this useful report. It also includes advice about employee volunteering.

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