What is Employer Supported Volunteering?
Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV) is when employers offer their employees paid time off to volunteer in their local community. It is becoming increasingly popular as employers recognise the potential to develop both their business and its staff while also supporting and improving their community.
How can Communities 1st support employers to offer ESV to employees?
We can offer:
- Knowledge of local organisations and their needs
- Details of voluntary opportunities for individuals and teams
- A brokerage service matching interests, skills and availability to voluntary tasks
- Co-ordination of the volunteering day
- Photographs and a write up of the day that can be used on your website

You and your employees can give time and develop skills in four types of ESV Programmes
We have four great Employer supported volunteer programmes to suit the level of involvement you're looking for.
These programmes are designed to deliver measurable benefits to the local community. This means action is taken on the most important issues locally and in the communities with the greatest needs.
ESV Skill Share

This initiative enables your skilled employees to connect with a local charity, allowing them to contribute their expertise and knowledge in a meaningful way. Over a designated project period, they will have the opportunity to share their talents, whether through mentorship, hands-on support, or strategic guidance, helping the charity achieve specific goals.
This not only benefits the organisation in need but also fosters professional development, team engagement, and a stronger sense of community involvement among your employees.
ESV Give and Gain

Your staff could take part in a team challenge, joining together to undertake a practical task such as creating a sensory garden or transforming a therapy room.
Group volunteering is a great way to build stronger teams and use skills to do something for your community. Whether you want to get out and be active for a day, or mentor individuals, we can help you find an opportunity that best suits your needs.
ESV Sustain

You might be seeking a more enduring and meaningful relationship with your customers—one where your employees can leverage their professional expertise to provide added value.
This could involve offering specialist advice, personalised recommendations, or tailored solutions that go beyond basic transactions. By positioning your team as knowledgeable and trustworthy experts, you not only enhance customer satisfaction but also foster long-term loyalty and engagement with your brand.
ESV Pre-Retirees

This program is particularly well-suited for pre-retirees who are in the process of scaling back their workload and gradually reducing their hours. By providing a structured transition, it allows employees to adjust to a new work-life balance while ensuring that their valuable knowledge and experience are effectively passed on to colleagues.
It can also serve as an opportunity for mentoring, succession planning, and skill transfer within your organization. Ultimately, this approach helps both the employee and the company navigate the retirement process smoothly, fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture.
Contact us
If you would like to find out more about this service, please call us on 01727 649950 or email volunteer@communities1st.org.uk.
Our telephone lines are open on Mondays - Fridays, 09:00 - 16:30.
Volunteering

More About Volunteering
