We have published a report entitled ‘The Value of Volunteering – volunteering in education and productivity in work’.
The report was launched at a webinar on the 8th January.
Education Volunteering – ‘one of the best investments employers can make’
The new research, in collaboration with CIPD, reveals the positive value that organisations can realise by supporting their staff to undertake volunteering in the UK’s schools and colleges.
The report’s findings show significant benefits of educational volunteering, including improved communication and influencing skills; an improved sense of mission and loyalty at work; and greater staff productivity. These organisational benefits sit alongside the personal benefits realised by individuals themselves, with evidence showing volunteering can improve staff well-being.
And the volunteers surveyed felt that they made a difference to young people. This tallies with research Education and Employers has done with young people over the last ten years which shows that encounters with volunteers from the world of work helps to: Improve academic attainment at GCSE, Increase young people’s earning potential; Broaden young peoples’ horizons and raise their aspirations; Excite children about subjects, increasing motivation, confidence and attitude to learning; Challenge gender and social stereotypes; and reduce the likelihood of young people becoming NEET.
The webinar began with the unveiling of the main findings, and was followed by a panel Q&A session with contributions from:
- Peter Cheese – Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
- Justin Placide – Assistant Director – Business, Investment & Growth at the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and Co-Chair of the Civil Service Race Forum
- Karen Giles – Headteacher of Barham Primary School and Education and Employers’ Trustee
- Natasha Davies – National Senior Programme Lead – Volunteering at Health Education England