Those who know me know I am very mild mannered, but a recent LinkedIn post from a person working in the VCSE sector actually made me quite cross. And what does a British person do when they are angry … they write a blog post 🙂
The offending post was promoting skilled employee volunteering, which I am big champion of, but it was done at the expense of practical employee volunteering projects, for example, stating that for these business volunteering days ‘the biggest benefit is often for the corporate, not the charity.’
No, no … just no!
It’s 2026 and I thought we had moved on from this false trope, however, it seems there are many out there who are still peddling this myth. This makes me cross not just because it’s not true for the overwhelming majority of cases, but more because promoting this myth actually puts businesses off doing employee volunteering and prevents community organisations benefiting from this support.
Not cool.
MYTH: the same wall or fence painted by employee volunteers every 3 months
You’ve heard this one before I expect?
Although I have heard this mentioned lots of times I have not heard of any organisation where there is actually true? I am not sure if this was ever true, but if it was true then this was definitely an exception and not the norm. If it were true then this is about a poor community organisation not involving volunteers in a good way and is NOT reflective of the majority of employer supported volunteering (ESV).
Presenting an anomaly or an oddity as what usually happens is damaging to other employee volunteering that takes place and that could take place. This narrative must stop.
I first started in the world of employee volunteering around 2008 as a volunteer working with the very brilliant Doreen Thompson-Addo to produce the original business plan for Works4U. This organisation was set up as a not-for-profit social enterprise in 2009 and specialises in employee volunteering, originally around practical corporate volunteering and more lately adding strategic development of volunteering to its services. I have therefore seen first hand, between then and now, that there have been huge changes in employee volunteering on the sides of businesses and community organisations, both achieving much greater impact.
In 2009 employee volunteering was sometimes seen by businesses as “a bit of jolly”, to get out of the office for the day, connect with colleagues and do something good for the community. Fast-forward to 2026 and employees who participate expect that this activity should have purpose and deliver impact. Works4U’s UK Employee Volunteering 2022-23 Report demonstrates that very clearly.
MYTH: “What good has a bunch of accountants painting a community centre done anyway?”
I heard this question by a well respected presenter at a VCSE event a few years ago and lots of people nodded their heads and made strong noises of agreement. I tried to contain my frustration as I can say from first-hand knowledge that a group of accountants can do a huge amount of good painting a community centre:
1) providing materials, equipment and people to do the job that otherwise could not be afforded
2) refreshing a space that will last for years, making it more welcoming and inviting for the community to use. Note: you don’t need to be a professional painter to do a good job
3) volunteers met not only representatives from people at the Community Centre but also service users too who came to help and join in. This meant the volunteers really understood why their work was important and the people it would benefit.
4) volunteers felt satisfied that they completed a transformational project in one day and following this received a more detailed impact report demonstrating how their work made a difference
“This project was a win for the community organisation, a win for the community it serves, a win for the volunteers who participated and a win for the employer who supported them to take the day to volunteer. “
National ESV Network
Works4U has set up and runs the national employer supported volunteering network, a free to access peer network, sharing experiences, resources and tools to help increase the impact and level of employee volunteering.
If anyone still believes the myths then I encourage them to join and participate in the network to hear from how employee volunteering is delivered across the country. If you don’t believe the myths and work or are connected to ESV then I also encourage you to join!
Conclusion
You will struggle to find a greater ambassador for more skilled employee volunteering than myself, but to achieve this we must not denigrate the work and impact of practical employee volunteering. What we need to do is keep championing that impact is crucial for all employee volunteering and not spread negative messages about other volunteering as this does not help anyone.
So please … pretty please with sugar on top … stop spreading the myths and tropes about employee volunteering.
#ESV #EmployeeVolunteering #ESG #CSR #SocialResponsibility #community #Volunteering #ShoutVolunteering
Dominic Pinkney's World of Volunteering 