COMMUNITY
I volunteeredwith St John Ambulance to understand first-handmore about the vaccination programme. I continue to be impressed with the dedication and professionalismof both the NHS and the volunteer
BDOVOLUNTEERS According to research, one in five UK adults (19%) volunteered their time for community activities during lockdown, with each individual contribution, on average, about three hours of their time. Volunteering offers a great way to share our skills with individuals and organisations that need help. BDO’s community volunteering policy ‘5+5’ endeavours to support its people to give back more to society. Under the scheme, each employee is given five ‘action days’ to fundraise or volunteer for a cause of their choice, and five ‘strategic days’ to use their professional skillsets to make a difference. Below we hear from colleagues on what they have been doing and why they think it’s important.
organisations that are helping them, help us out of the pandemic.
MalcolmThixton | Partner, Southampton
WHAT HAVE OUR PEOPLE BEEN DOING?
I usemy skills-based volunteering days at BDOto volunteer within my local community, sharingmy knowledge and experience of working inCommunications. It has givenme the opportunity to meet andworkwith like-minded people and bringwhat I have learnt back tomyworking life.
I’ve volunteered throughout my professional career, but it’s initiatives like BDO’s 5+5 that help unlock the potential that exists in somany businesses and encourages people to recognise the value they can bring to awhole host of organisations – be that becoming a charity trustee, workingon a big societal challenge, or supporting young people in education and providing themwith confidence to be the best they can be. The last 12months have taught us that together we canmake a real difference. The key is removing those barriers andmaking volunteering part of everyday working life. Last year at
Nazia Nathu | Senior Manager, London
BDO, my colleagues spent 9,500 hours volunteering in their local communities as a result of the programme.
Vanessa Lee | Partner, Leeds
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