The Power of Volunteering

How volunteering brings benefits to individuals and businesses.

Research: Anna.TrocmeLatter@careerready.org.uk
Employers: Partnerships@careerready.org.uk

About this report

The Power of Volunteering

To mark Volunteers Week 2021, our latest research report explores the difference volunteering makes to the lives of individuals and their employers.

Over the years we have built relationships with employers of all sizes and sectors to give young people the network of workplace support and opportunities they need to thrive in education, employment, and life.

Through these relationships, young people on our programme develop vital workplace skills and experience, grow in confidence, and achieve higher academic and career attainment.

Following the launch of our recent research into the long-term impact of our programme on young people, we want to explore the wider impact of our work. By exploring this, we believe we can strengthen the partnerships needed to help deliver systemic change in education and employment.

Volunteer with us

Case Study

“We’re adding volunteering hours to our social impact reporting, which is a very big benefit – but another big benefit is employee engagement. It generates energy.”

Wojciech Ilowski | Industry Operations Leader, Marsh

What we found

In addition to the benefits volunteering has delivered for the young people on our programme, we have four key findings for individuals and businesses.

Shared values

Time and time again in our research and interviews, what shone through was that our volunteers are motivated by a desire to transform the lives of young people, sharing our values of empowering young lives.

Volunteering adds business value

More than two thirds cited an increase in their knowledge or skills, with 91% improving their coaching skills. This has clear benefits to organisations who are looking to boost the capabilities of their workforce.

Career-long benefits

We also found that these benefits varied depending on the career stage of the volunteer. Those in more junior positions were more likely to develop knowledge or skills. Meanwhile, those at a more senior point were most likely to see an impact on their wellbeing.

Investing in employee volunteering pays dividends

The benefits of volunteering in terms of upskilling and wellbeing are more pronounced on those who are part of an employee volunteering scheme.

Case Study

A woman types at a computer in professional attire

“I started volunteering to help a young person
fulfil their potential. Not only am I witnessing that impact, but it’s enriching my own sense of purpose.”

Jenny Pelling | Apprenticeship Partnerships Director, Kaplan Financial

What we recommend

The evidence is clear that volunteering is a time commitment well spent. Not only do young people experience life changing outcomes, volunteers and employers are also rewarded for their investment.

Based upon the findings of our research, we have three core recommendations for how the power of volunteering can be enhanced further by employers, individuals, and volunteering organisations, including ourselves.

1. Empower employee volunteers

Volunteering should be embedded in ‘people and culture’ practices due to its positive effects on employee upskilling, wellbeing, and engagement. And employees should be given time and encouragement to volunteer on a regular basis, be made aware of opportunitiess, and have their efforts recognised as part of any ‘learning and development’ progress
reviews.

2. Embrace volunteering

Everyone has something to give through volunteering, regardless of age or background. Volunteering, especially professional mentoring, should not be seen as the preserve of those in stereotypically high-powered industries or job roles. We can each make a life-changing difference with our unique blend of life experience, skills, and insight.

3. Equip volunteers to succeed

Volunteering organisations, including Career Ready, need to ensure that, as well as celebrating the benefits of volunteering, we listen to volunteers about what could make their experience more impactful. Additional training and a desire to learn more about the education system, social mobility, and young people’s challenges all ranked highly in our research.

full report