During the last 18 months, with all the new guidelines surrounding coronavirus pandemic, the traditional approaches to volunteering had to change.
But for Aviva Insurance Group, that didn’t mean it has to stop all together.
Every year, Aviva employees are given 21 hours of paid leave to volunteer in their local communities and help them build a brighter future.
Volunteering gives a healthy, positive boost to all concerned. It’s also a great way to learn new skills, share your expertise or have a rewarding experience with your friends, family and colleagues. But in the middle of a global pandemic, the usual volunteering opportunities had to be thought out and planned to support colleague remote working and mental health.
During #VolunteeringWeek every July, 564 colleagues undertook a litter pick – either in support of their daily exercise routine or as a team volunteering day in their local community. Some colleagues even organised a 24-hours litter pick to raise money for local food banks.
“We started litter picking two years ago when we arranged a team pick using our volunteering hours. Around 20 of us collected over 100 bags, sofas, TVs…..all sorts! When the pandemic hit, we needed time out to free our minds of stress. Litter picking helped. We’ve met some lovely like-minded people and made new friends. We all want the same thing: to live in a litter free environment. Our next challenge is a 24-hour pick to raise money for a local foodbank. It’s going be tough but helps in so many ways and we’re proud to be a part of it.” Sam & Becky, Customers Experience Advisors, Aviva UK
Volunteering has a positive impact on mental health. The feeling of doing something good for someone else helps release endorphins, the body’s natural happy hormone, giving people a genuine boost to their mood and overall wellbeing. It helps improve empathy for others, builds self-esteem and gives us the sense of being part of a team. By volunteering you can make a huge difference and a positive impact in your local community.
Aviva employ thousands of talented and enthusiastic people who could have just the skills you need. They empower their people to give back to their communities to help them reach a brighter future. Each of their UK employees gets up to 21 hours a year of paid volunteering leave, which they can use during work hours. They are looking for opportunities for their people that align to their Sustainability Ambition. If you know or represent a charity that needs volunteers, fill out the form below and they’ll see if they can help.