Give & Gain Day Comes Back to London

Today marks the launch of Business in the Community’s Give & Gain Day – the UK’s only national day of employee volunteering which encourages thousands of volunteers across the globe to spend a working day volunteering for good causes in their local community.

Volunteering helps you put things into perspective; sometimes you get so focused on your work you forget there is a real world out there.

Employers in London are being urged to sign up and give their staff the opportunity to volunteer on Give & Gain Day, taking place on Friday 18 May this year.

Businesses in London have a strong history of supporting volunteering in the local community. Last year, over 60 companies in the region sent out 2,924 volunteers on Give & Gain Day, helping community 70 organisations.

At a time when their vital services for young  and vulnerable people are being called upon more than ever, London’s businesses can show their solidarity and give local communities a much needed boost by sending out teams of volunteers to help in schools, day centres, and youth groups on Friday 18 May.

One of London’s beneficiaries last year was Christ Church School in Streatham who were supported by Bircham Dyson Bell and Knight Frank.  Here, their task was to complete an unfinished Wild Life Area; building seating, weeding and clearing the garden.  One volunteer from Bircham Dyson Bell said: “Volunteering helps you put things into perspective; sometimes you get so focused on your work you forget there is a real world out there.”

Gennie Franklin, Director of Programmes & Employee Volunteering at Business in the Community said “Give & Gain Day 2012 is the chance for companies to show that they are really committed to their communities. The impact and change that people can affect is remarkable, and first-hand experience builds skills and motivation in a unique way. It’s a win win with (87% of) the employees that take part having increased loyalty towards and perception of their employer as a result”.

The biggest corporate investor in UK communities, and Sponsor of Give and Gain Day, Lloyds Banking Group firmly believes its economic contribution to society will help build thriving communities. It supports this through active investment in communities and a charitable giving programme.  Truett Tate, Group Executive Director and Vice Chairman of Client Coverage, said: “One of the best ways businesses can support their local community is by encouraging employees, customers and suppliers to use their skills and time through volunteering.

“We fully appreciate the importance of playing an active part in the communities in which we operate. Lloyds Banking Group has a presence in almost every UK community and therefore has the potential to make a difference to every UK family.

“Give & Gain Day gives businesses of all sizes a simple way to get involved in community projects.  Last year 535 businesses and over 27,500 volunteers participate in community projects across the UK, delivering some 3.3m man hours back into those communities most in need. This year we hope to see over 35,000 employees volunteering on Friday 18 May.”

Eversheds LLP an international law firm with a strong presence in London have supported hundreds of employees to volunteer on Give & Gain Day over the last four years. Their Chief Executive Bryan Hughes explains why:

“Businesses that take part in Give & Gain Day know the impact that only a few hours of giving can have on a local community whilst giving employees the opportunity to have fun, feel good and help change lives for the better. Part of Eversheds ethos is to give back to the many communities around the world in which we live and work. We have a longstanding relationship with Business in the Community, are proud to be sponsoring Give & Gain Day again this year and would encourage other organisations to get involved.”

Sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group, Eversheds LLP, and in association with BT. Give & Gain Day 2012 is dedicated to getting thousands of employees out of the office, store or factory to volunteer in their local communities.

Companies that want to make a difference in their communities and get involved with Give & Gain Day in London should visit www.bitc.org.uk/giveandgaindaylondon