Creating a culture of giving through volunteering
Creating a culture of giving through volunteering
During June, we had over 2000 volunteers getting involved in supporting community organisations in East London. This included 6 corporate companies who had bespoke campaigns.
In particular, AXA XL had their Global Day of Giving (GDOG) on 6th June where they volunteered and supported their local communities. A total of an amazing 194 volunteers from AXA XL took part in one day! They were busy gardening at Victoria Park, upcycling furniture at More Life Home, packing and sorting products at Hope Family Trust Food Bank, planting trees at Leyton Jubilee Park, to general site maintenance at Teesdale & Hollybush and Royal Docks Learning & Activity Centre and lastly Stepney City Farm.
Corporate volunteering has a huge impact on communities in several ways, contributing to social, economic, and environmental wellbeing. The key impacts address community needs, enhance social cohesion whilst volunteers act as environmental stewards by engaging in improving the local environment.
By creating a culture of giving, corporate volunteering can encourage others to volunteer, allowing a wider sense of community involvement and social responsibility.
We received positive feedback from both the community partners and the corporate volunteers. Clare Hawkins, Stepney City Farm:
“Our corporate volunteers make a huge difference to Stepney City Farm, helping us to maintain regular operations as well as to undertake larger improvement projects which would not otherwise be financially or practically viable. We’ve worked with ELBA for many years to connect with teams, and interest has grown year on year – especially since the pandemic. Volunteering at the Farm is a great way to reconnect with colleagues who you might not otherwise see day to day, and to get away from the desk to spend a day outside with nature and animals. A huge thank you to the team at ELBA and to each and every volunteer who has turned compost, mucked out, harvested vegetables, or built a shed. We couldn’t manage the Farm without you.”
We extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to AXA XL, and other corporate groups who have supported these wonderful community organisations that will have a long lasting impact. Thank you all and keep up volunteering!
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