Volunteering in Action – The power of campaigns

Written by Naimah Miah, Challenge:ELBA Project Manager

Volunteering is a powerful force and is essential to community organisations for a number of reasons. It plays a crucial role in sustaining and enhancing the health and well-being of these organisations and the communities they serve.

Each year, thanks to ELBA’s business partners, we bring together hundreds of teams and thousands of volunteers to make a positive impact on the lives of east London’s communities. Team challenges span a diverse range of organisations and community sectors, including parks, city farms, adventure playgrounds, community gardens and centres, schools, food and clothing banks, and social enterprises. Community organisations have limited resources and capacity and rely on corporate volunteer support to effectively meet community needs and make a positive difference to their users. Many of ELBA’s business partners have helped these organisations to achieve this positive difference, through delivering successful volunteering campaigns with each one driven by the passion and dedication of the volunteers.

With the second-half of the year now in full swing, so far the Challenge:ELBA team have facilitated campaigns with various business partners. This year includes AXA XL with Global Day of Giving, Morgan Stanley and the Global Volunteer Month and Citi Global Community Day (and Month). With these campaigns, in total, so far 61 teams have taken part in a team challenge with over 2,500 dedicated volunteers involved. All of whom have worked extremely hard, supporting the local community through volunteering, which highlights the power of collective action and creating lasting positive change. These team challenges range from face to face practical volunteering to online sessions. We thank everyone who has taken part and appreciate the effort, passion and dedication that ELBA’s business partners have when it comes to Corporate Social Responsibility.

The Challenge:ELBA team are looking forward to planning and launching further volunteering campaigns as the year continues. If you would like to find out more about taking part in a team challenge, please contact challenge@elba-1.org.uk.

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