23 December 2009
Volunteering by City firms rise by 64% in a tough business year
(up 106% on 2007)
Despite the City of London’s most challenging of years,
volunteering by firms has remained high on the corporate
agenda.
The City of London Corporation’s City Action scheme, a free
volunteer matchmaking service for City-based companies and
community organisations, today released figures for 2009 which show
a huge growth in client uptake for volunteering.
The total number of volunteering instances (individual skilled
volunteers) increased by 64% for 2009 compared to 2008, and 106%
compared to 2007.
Furthermore, City Action’s new corporate clients (City firms who
encourage their staff to volunteer) have increased by 25% over the
last twelve months with 47 new corporate members compared to 38 new
corporate members in 2008. City Action has this year placed
volunteers from a wide range of City firms, including, Barclays,
Buzzacott and Oriel Securities, Salesforce, COLT, Monster Worldwide
and Drivas Jonas.
Davina Pilkington, Account Manager for the City of London
Corporation’s City Action programme, says, “Over the past 12
months we have seen a steady increase in our corporate membership
base for City Action, as volunteering and Corporate Community
Involvement more generally continues to be a valuable part of City
life. Firms are really recognising the multifaceted benefits of
employee volunteering– particularly in tough times.”
“Giving employees time off to volunteer can contribute to
fostering talent, improving employee perceptions of the workplace
and increasing levels of staff motivation and retention. Employee
volunteers are company ambassadors and can enhance the reputation
of their company in the community.”
The City of London Corporation’s City Action corporate members
report that volunteering strengthens the values of an organisation
by exposing them to a wider business network. It also introduces
innovative product ideas that offer a great return for a simple
sharing of existing skills and resources. Individuals can engage
with their local community to support a cause they feel passionate
about whilst developing their personal and professional skills.
A recent survey conducted by the City of London Corporation,
identified that a company's reputation can be enhanced through its
active community involvement. City firms’ corporate community
responsibility programmes have been seen to be an invaluable way to
win new business, an argument that has been strengthened during the
recent economic crisis.
Ends
Notes for editors
About the City of London Corporation:
The City of London Corporation is a uniquely diverse organisation.
It supports and promotes the City as a world leader in
international finance and business services and provides local
services and policing for those working in, living in and visiting
the Square Mile. It also provides valued services to London and the
nation. These include the Barbican Centre and the Guildhall School
of Music & Drama; the Guildhall Library and Art Gallery and
London Metropolitan Archive; a range of education provision
(including three City Academies); five Thames bridges (including
Tower Bridge and the Millennium Bridge); the Central Criminal Court
at Old Bailey; over 10,000 acres of open spaces (including
Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest), and three wholesale food
markets. It is also London’s Port Health Authority and runs the
Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow. It works in partnership with
neighbouring boroughs on the regeneration of surrounding areas and
the City Bridge Trust, which it oversees, donates more than £15m to
charity annually.
Press contact
Lizzie Boylan Ward: +44 (0)20 7222 4345,
Lizzie.BoylanWard@raincommunications.co.uk