CFG provides our staff with four volunteering days a year, empowering the team to support causes that they care about. This has benefits for our physical and mental wellbeing, as well as for the sector as a whole.
At CFG, we believe that volunteering is more than just a noble pursuit; it's a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. CFG recognises the value of giving back to the community and has implemented a volunteering policy that allows staff to dedicate four days per year to charitable endeavours.
This policy not only helps the charity sector but also enriches the lives of our employees, fostering a sense of purpose and connection which can benefit them in other aspects of their lives.
The power of volunteering
By providing the team with dedicated time to volunteer, CFG empowers staff to contribute to causes they care about.
Laura Millar, CFG’s Head of HR, highlights the transformative impact of volunteering: "Volunteering can improve physical and mental health and reduce loneliness. It's a fantastic way to connect with our communities and the sector we work in.
“We can all bring our skills and abilities from our roles into these organisations, build our confidence and develop new skills and connections.”
A unique perspective
As an infrastructure organisation, CFG plays a vital role in supporting the charity sector. By volunteering with other charities, we gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by frontline organisations. This firsthand experience enhances our ability to provide effective support and guidance.
Clare Mills, CFG’s Deputy CEO, says: "Volunteering has brought me into contact with such a diverse group of people over many years, and I've learned from every one of them. It gave me a more strategic perspective and understanding of the governance side of charities."
Clare volunteers as a governor at her local high school and chairs the Finance and Resources Committee. Giving back to the community began at an early age when she helped her parents with activities at church and began Girlguiding.
Clare continues: “I feel a sense of responsibility towards all these young people, to ensure they have the opportunities to look beyond our rural location and have a high quality education – so they can make the most of what the world has to offer.
“It’s brilliant seeing them go on to do amazing things and feeling ‘I played a small part in their education’. One of our former pupils is international footballer Lucy Bronze, whose Mum was also one of our Maths teachers – it's very inspiring!”
Developing skills and building relationships
Hannah Lambsdown, our Corporate Partnerships Officer, recently used her volunteering leave to contribute to a vital ecological survey with the RSPB.
"I recently used my volunteering leave to help the RSPB conduct an ecological survey on peatland," Hannah shared.
"[RSPB] have built a series of peat dams, and the surveys will try to establish whether the presence of trees is drying the peat.
“The hope is that restoring the hydration to the peat will mean everything can thrive. It was a wonderful day, I learned a lot and I hope to go back and continue to count the different varieties of sphagnum that I learnt about!”
Hannah's experience highlights the diverse range of volunteer opportunities available to our staff. By participating in such initiatives, our employees not only contribute to important causes but also expand their knowledge and skills.
Encouraging a culture of volunteering
To encourage more organisations to adopt volunteering policies, we recommend the following:
- Lead by example: senior leaders should actively participate in volunteering activities to demonstrate their commitment.
- Flexible policies: offer flexible volunteering options to accommodate diverse schedules and preferences.
- Provide support: offer resources and guidance to help staff find volunteer opportunities that align with their interests and skills.
- Recognise and reward: acknowledge and celebrate staff's volunteer efforts to boost morale and encourage continued participation.
A campaign has recently been launched by several volunteer-based charities, including the Scouts, Girlguiding, St John Ambulance and the Sea Cadets, asking the government to introduce paid statutory volunteering leave.
Organisers are urging people to sign this online petition.