Branson and Young tell business to ‘Make a Difference’
September 23rd 2008 Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson and TV’s Apprentice finalist Claire Young want local and national businesses to encourage their employees to volunteer for CSV Make a Difference Day on Saturday 25th of October 2008. "Working hard and being successful are important, as is giving back to those less fortunate and creating a step change. CSV Make a Difference Day is a great opportunity for people to really make a difference and change people's lives. Don't just think about it, sign up and do it now!" says Claire Young.
CSV Make a Difference Day, claims to be the UK's single biggest day of ‘hands-on’ volunteering. It takes place on Saturday 25th October with activities for the two weeks either side. Tens-of-thousands of people are expected to take part, giving time rather than money to make a positive impact on local communities. Past activities from employees rangeg from creating community gardens to running a children’s sports day to re-decorating a homeless shelter. Ccompanies across the country are already involved this year, including Accor Services in London and Dunfermline Building Society in Fife.
“In business, if something frustrates me, I try to change it. You can change something in your local community by getting your employees involved in CSV Make a Difference Day," says Sir RIchard.
Volunteering factfile: • 71% of volunteers who offer their professional skills and experience say volunteering helps to combat depression • 31% of 18-24 year olds say they have taken less time off work since volunteering • 85% of employers feel employee volunteering helps with productivity while 28% say it helps with staff retention • 80% of employees say they would view their employer more favourably if the employer committed itself to employee engagement .
CSV Make a Difference Day is free, fun and an excellent opportunity for team building. Simon Tiller CSV Make a Difference Day coordinator, says: “Employers tell us that those staff who volunteer develop improved skills in communications, team-building and problem solving.”
For more information on getting involved in CSV Make a Difference Day, call freephone 0800 284533, or visit the website at www.csv.org.uk/difference. You can register your own activity or contact the campaigns team who will match you up with a project.
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