Improving understanding of education and communities
Many employers strive to understand the local community in which they operate and strengthen relationships with their stakeholders. Employee volunteering can be provide an excellent way of achieving this aim.
- In research carried out by Barclays, 67% of employee volunteers felt that volunteering had helped to give them a better understanding of social issues; 68% stated that as a result of volunteering, they had a better understanding of the problems facing people in the community.
- Case studies carried out by BitC show that working in educational institutions with a diverse intake - particularly in maintained schools - provides a unique opportunity to raise awareness of the various problems facing the local community in which employees work. As Ernst & Young reports: "Eighty per cent of volunteers believe supporting a partner school has enhanced their understanding of the challenges faced by inner city communities; and 75% of volunteers consider that supporting a partner school has had a significant positive effect on their understanding of the education system." Ernst & Young Case Study, BITC 2008