Charity Urges Business to ‘IN-Corporate Volunteering’

Cancer Focus NorthernIreland, the new name for the Ulster Cancer Foundation, is calling on local companies, large and small, to ‘IN-Corporate Volunteering’ into their business plan and help support local people with cancer.

Cancer Focus launches it’s ‘IN-Corporate Volunteering’ drive during Volunteers’ Week (1st – 7th June) by highlighting the win-win benefits of employer supported volunteering for the workplace and the local community.

*Research shows that 82% of respondents, in a survey of over 200 public and private sector employers, felt that morale and motivation of employees were enhanced as a direct result of participating in employer supported volunteering.  Additional business benefits included improved corporate profile, staff recruitment and retention and enhanced customer relations.

Cancer Focus’s charity partner Northern Bank fully backs ‘IN-Corporate Volunteering’ with their staff regularly volunteering with the charity.  Vanessa Postle, Community Affairs Manager at Northern Bank explains, “Cancer Focus’s volunteer programme offers a variety of opportunities for employers to incorporate volunteering into the business day with minimal organisation or disruption, as well as additional roles, off-site during evenings and weekends.

“During 2011 our staff have donated 163 volunteer hours with Cancer Focus and they have gained significant personal benefits including networking with colleagues and meeting new people, creative thinking and problem solving, project management skills and a sense of pride and achievement having given something back.”

Northern Bank staff recently helped Cancer Focus pack almost 10,000 clothes donations bags for house collections.  These donations provide new stock for Cancer Focus shops as well as recycling material which raises additional funds for the charity.  With a 15% return and worth a minimum of £4 each, Northern Bank staff have raised a minimum of £6,000 from this single volunteer initiative.    

Maria Redmond, Manager at Northern Bank’s Retail Services said, “Our staff enjoyed this practical, hands-on approach to volunteering.  We were able to volunteer on-site so there was no disruption to the working day as staff helped out during their tea and lunch breaks.  It encouraged team work as all levels of staff got involved and we felt that we were really contributing to a worthwhile cause.”

Sarah Graham, HR Assistant at Northern Bank said, “Volunteering with Cancer Focus was a great team building exercise and it was good fun. We were able to set up a small packing area so staff could easily help out when they had spare capacity or during their breaks.  We were all motivated to help out as it’s such a great cause.”

Retired Northern Bank employee, Martin McDowell from Belfast also volunteers with Cancer Focus’s newest service ‘Walking for Life’ – a walking programme specially for those going through treatment for cancer that helps to rebuild levels of fitness.  Martin said, “I had always planned to do some voluntary work when I retired.  I enjoy walking, and with Northern Banks’ links with Cancer Focus, volunteering as a walking group leader was the perfect opportunity.  

“I have had the chance to see new places of interest, meet people and help provide a service which benefits those who have been affected by cancer.  I also assess and develop new walks and use a lot of my former work skills with other volunteer walk leaders to help expand and develop the service.  I would encourage others to volunteer as Cancer Focus have been very supportive and the whole experience has been extremely rewarding.”

Morag Chambers, Volunteer Co-ordinator at Cancer Focus said, “Companies can achieve corporate responsibility objectives by sharing their skills, expertise and resources while investing in Cancer Focus and their local community to achieve tangible results. 

“Our volunteers are an extremely valuable asset and we couldn’t provide our range of services without them.  There are lots of volunteering opportunities with Cancer Focus including one-off or more regular support to cater for your business needs while helping Cancer Focus support local families affected by cancer. 

“There are currently 70,000 families affected by cancer inNorthern Ireland.    Volunteer support, no matter how small, can make a huge impact.  Everyone has something to offer as a volunteer and we hope that companies will recognise the corporate and social benefits and ‘IN-Corporate Volunteering’ into their business strategy.” 

Full induction, training, on-going support and out of pocket expenses are all provided.  If you would like to find out more about ‘IN-Corporate Volunteering’ please contact Morag Chamberson 028 9068 0773 or email [email protected]