Corporate Volunteering

Volunteering can get framed as a big commitment: regular shifts, same time each week, offering long hours or specialist skills. It can be that silent, assumed expectation that puts people off before they have even started volunteering. But sometimes the smallest actions can have the biggest impact, which is where micro-volunteering comes in - simple, flexible ways to give back that fit into everyday life. A lovely example of this recently came from Edinburgh Zoo, where children, supported by Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, helped decorate pebbles for the zoo’s gentoo penguins. To celebrate the start of the penguin breeding season, children painted colourful pebbles that were later placed into the penguins’ enclosure. Gentoo penguin use pebbles to build nests and even present them to potential mates during courtship. Through weekly sessions run by the conservation charity Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the decorated stones were taken from hospital sessions to the zoo so the penguins could use them. For the children involved, it was a simple activity, but it created a meaningful connection with wildlife. The young participants can now watch the penguins pick up their pebbles via live webcams and see how their small contribution became part of the animals’ lives. Painting a pebble might not sound like volunteering in the traditional sense, but it perfectly captures the idea of micro-volunteering . Micro-volunteering involves small, bite-sized actions that help charities, communities or causes that when pieced together, create a large impact. These tasks usually: Take minutes or hours rather than days Don’t require long-term commitments Can often be done from home or during spare time The pebble-painting activity shows that volunteering doesn’t always have to be complicated. Something as simple as a creative activity can contribute to education, conservation, wellbeing and community engagement. Why Micro-Volunteering Matters Many people want to help but feel they don’t have the time. Between work, family and everyday responsibilities, traditional volunteering can feel difficult to fit in. Micro-volunteering removes that barrier. It allows people to: Support causes they care about Use small pockets of free time productively Commit without worrying about letting people down Contribute without long-term pressure Make a difference in simple, accessible ways Just like the children painting pebbles for penguins, small contributions add up. Way that you can get into micro-volunteering Create an opportunity for local people to get involved Reach out to an organisation to see what opportunities may be available with the time you have available Add a fundraising element to an event you are hosting or taking part in eg a 5km run, a bake sale as part of a craft fayre, a raffle at a BBQ Find an opportunity that is of interest or ask our registered organisations how you can get involved:

As part of the A Million Acts of Hope campaign, we are highlighting three volunteers and their contribution to the local community through their volunteering role. In our second instalment, we speak to Hayley Collins, a volunteer at Great Ashby Community Rangers: "I started Great Ashby Community Rangers in 2024 after becoming increasingly frustrated by the amount of litter around the local area and seeing our neighbourhood centre not being properly maintained. I care deeply about where I live, it's a family-friendly area and I wanted to do something positive to make a difference rather than just walk past it. What began as a simple idea to tidy up the area has grown incredibly quickly into a real community effort. We now have many local residents regularly joining us to litter pick around the shops at the neighbourhood centre, surrounding roads and woodland areas across Great Ashby in Stevenage. One of the reasons I think the group has connected with so many people is because it’s micro-volunteering - there’s no pressure to commit to a formal role or give up huge amounts of time. Family life and work-life balance are really important to me, and I know they are for many others too. People can simply come along when they can, whether that’s a Sunday morning session or an evening walk and litter pick when the weather is nice and the evenings are lighter. What I enjoy most is knowing we’re making a visible difference to the local community, even small actions add up. And, there’s also a really strong social side to the group. We’ve got a wide range of members, including families and it’s been fantastic meeting like-minded people who all care about the area we live in. Being outdoors together, especially in good weather, creates such a positive atmosphere." "I think one of the biggest things I’ve learned is that you don’t need to make a huge commitment to make a huge impact. Even giving a small amount of time can help improve the environment and bring people together. When a community works together, no matter how small the contribution, it really does count. To anyone thinking about volunteering, I’d simply say: come along. It’s a great way to meet people, spend time outside, and make a genuine difference to your local area. Everyone is welcome to join us, there’s no age limit! Local people can find us through our Facebook group: Great Ashby Community Rangers Facebook Group Want to become a One in a Million?

As part of the A Million Acts of Hope campaign, we are highlighting three volunteers and their contribution to the local community through their volunteering role. First up we have Paul Oluwalere, a volunteer at Essex & Herts Air Ambulance. "I started volunteering at the beginning of my Master of Laws at the University of Hertfordshire. I knew I wanted to use my spare time in a way that felt meaningful and allowed me to give something back. One day, while walking through the Hertfordshire Law Court building, I spotted a GoVolHerts poster on a noticeboard. It caught my eye, so I made a note of it and later looked up their website. The GoVolHerts site was easy to use, and the information was clear. I quickly found a role that suited me and was able to apply without any hassle. I was drawn to the role of Stevenage Donation Centre Assistant with Essex & Herts Air Ambulance because I wanted to feel more connected to the community I live in. It also felt like a good way to put my organisational skills to practical use while supporting a cause that genuinely matters. One thing that has made the experience even better is the team at the Stevenage Donation Centre. They are warm, supportive and incredibly dedicated. From my first day, they made me feel welcome and valued, and their positive attitude creates an environment where you genuinely enjoy being part of the work. What I enjoy most about volunteering is the sense of fulfilment it brings. It’s given me a real feeling of belonging and purpose, knowing that I am contributing to something that makes a positive difference. If you’re thinking about volunteering, I’d say it’s worth it. It’s rewarding, it helps you grow, and it gives you a stronger connection to the people and community around you. It’s a chance to make a real, tangible difference." Paul's story is a fantastic example of feeling inspired in wanting to make a difference and how easy it is to turn that feeling into action. Thank you Paul for taking that step and supporting a great cause. Want to become a One in a Million?