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Getting Started

If you’re a business or other type of organisation considering whether to start, or further develop an existing ESV programme, there are some key areas for consideration; your organisation; your employees; and the needs of your local communities.

Top Tips

Here are our top tips to get you started with Employer Supported Volunteering.

  1. Many organisations commit to a partnership for a longer period of time (2-5 years) rather than the previous traditional model of 1 year. This allows the relationship to develop over time and be far more effective.
  2. ESV programmes typically offer between 1-5 days volunteering/year. Organisations should choose what is realistic and manageable for them.
  3. Organisations should decide whether they wish to incorporate ESV into employee personal learning and development goals. Section 3.2 of the ESV Guide provides more information about the range of volunteer roles that may be available.
  4. Funding or budget availability needs to be considered and agreed And discussion as to whether you wish to invest in a corporate purpose platforms or employee engagement software tools which could be of value in managing and evaluating the programme.
  5. Organisations will need to consider if any additional training and support is required for employees.
  6. Most permit employees to also volunteer outside of work time and to receive time off in lieu.
  7. Key elements of any ESV programme need to be captured within an ESV Policy 

Employees

  • Employee engagement is essential when developing an ESV programme to discover if they are interested in ESV; what communities or social causes employees feel passionate about; the type of volunteering activities they would be interested in doing; and to share views on how they would like any ESV programme to work
  • Existing non-profit contacts and networks can be identified for consideration of further partnership
  • Consider what support employees may need

Community Needs

  • Local community needs are often best identified through employee knowledge of their communities and areas
  • ESV programmes are a partnership with communities/non-profits that support particular causes. It is best to contact selected non-profits early in any planning to discuss what types of volunteer activities might most helpful/needed
  • Any commitment to a non-profit is often written down in a memorandum of understanding or partnership agreement, setting out arrangements and managing expectations from the beginnings.