Business

Workplace volunteering could boost productivity and unlock billions

Published

2 years ago

April 25, 2024

EXPANDING workplace volunteering opportunities to cover all employees in the UK could generate billions in economic gains (£1.2 billion – £3.6 billion per year in wellbeing benefits to individuals, £1.6 billion – £2.8 billion per year in improved net productivity)
Ensuring all employees have access to volunteering opportunities could save between 1.4 million and 2.5 million working days of sickness absence.

Workplace volunteering has the potential to boost productivity, improve employees’ wellbeing, and generate billions for the UK economy, according to a new report by Pro Bono Economics (PBE).1

The report – ‘Triple dividend: How workplace volunteering can make us happier, healthier and more productive’ – which has been produced for business volunteering charity Pilotlight, found that net productivity gains of between £1.6 billion – £2.8 billion could be unlocked for the UK economy by expanding workplace volunteering opportunities.2

PBE’s analysis revealed that 17 – 23 million employees currently do not have access to workplace volunteering, and so are missing out on the health benefits of volunteering and the opportunities to learn new skills. By expanding workplace volunteering opportunities to cover all employees in the UK, the current untapped potential could generate £1.2 billion – £3.6 billion in wellbeing benefits per year to the individuals themselves.

It could also reduce levels of absenteeism, with research showing that participation in a workplace volunteering scheme provides an average reduction in absence of around 0.9 days per year for each member of staff volunteering.3 The number of days that employees have taken off work due to illness has risen sharply since the pandemic, with 186 million lost alone in 2022, an increase of more than a third over the 2019 level. The total cost of sickness absence to UK employers was around £24 billion – roughly equivalent to the GDP generated by Newcastle – or £6.4 billion higher than if absence rates stayed at the 2019 level.4

Turning to the productivity benefit overall, the PBE report points to studies which have suggested the productivity impact of workplace volunteering is sizeable, with high-skilled individuals who volunteer experiencing an estimated £2,300 boost to earnings. If the estimated productivity increase was applied to all the 1.4 – 2.5 million additional volunteers who participated from workplace volunteering to all employees, it could provide a gross productivity increase of between £2.2 billion and £3.9 billion.

Even after deducting the costs of lost time and administration fees for volunteering schemes, the productivity benefits could amount to net productivity gains of between £1.5 billion and £2.8 billion to the UK economy.5

There is a clear appetite from employees from the expansion of workplace volunteering. Analysis by NCVO suggests that between one quarter and a third of employees will take advantage of workplace volunteering when it’s available. This means that between 1.5 million and 2.8 million additional people might volunteer if workplace volunteering schemes were expanded across all employers.

While boost workplace volunteering would have some costs to the employer, the benefits more than outweigh those costs. For the employer, workplace volunteering schemes such as those run by Pilotlight which bring businesses and charities together could deliver between £1.50 and £3.60 of benefits for every £1 spent.

To make the most of the opportunity, research by the charity has suggested that employers should take steps to help employees around the options for volunteering. More than a third of employees surveyed (38%) said that an obstacle to volunteering is a lack of guidance from their employer. Of those currently involved in workplace volunteering, 79% believe that businesses themselves benefit from the practice.6

The benefits also have the potential to positively impact on communities, at a time when they are in need of extra support. Three in ten (30%) charities reporting increased rates of staff burnout as they struggle with the triple challenge of rising demand, difficulties recruiting volunteers and challenges with recruitment. This is particularly true of small charities, with almost six in ten (59%) reporting that recruiting volunteers is a major concern for them following a long-term decline in volunteer participation rates.8

Dr Jansev Jemal, Director of Research and Policy at Pro Bono Economics, said: “Increasing access to workplace volunteering opportunities has a triple dividend, as it could boost productivity and unlock billions in the UK economy, while providing much needed support for charities. In addition to wellbeing for employees, there’s a compelling, hard-nosed business case for considering workplace volunteering, including boosts to health and skills.

“As businesses take up this opportunity, there is a need to be realistic about the challenges for the charities themselves. Using volunteers effectively takes resources to manage, oversee and support those that are giving up their time. Businesses and other funders will need to consider how they can benefit by supporting the underlying costs of volunteering programmes, rather than assuming that an offer of time alone will suffice.”

Ed Mayo, Chief Executive of Pilotlight, said: “When it comes to business and charity, these results change everything – volunteering is not a cost, it is an investment. It is good for charity, good for the volunteer and good for the bottom line.

At the heart of this, in the partnerships we have designed with a range of leading businesses, is how employees develop their skills as they deploy them in a radically different setting. In future, it will not be the PR or corporate affairs department that leads on employee volunteering, but HR leaders who see it as an integral part of their toolkit for developing talent and skills.”

Jack Kidder, Responsible Business Manager at Henry Boot PLC, said: “At Henry Boot, we know that volunteering empowers our people to dedicate their time, skills, and passion for the benefit of our communities. This is not only impactful for charities, but also hugely beneficial for our business. Volunteering their time allows our people to connect with issues they care about in the communities in which we work and live. It creates a genuine sense of purpose and cohesion as our people come together to make a real difference for others – whether through inspiring learners, supporting communities, restoring habitats, or sharing knowledge. Volunteering enables our people to develop their skills and experience the positive wellbeing effects associated with helping others. This use of our time is helping shape our evolving culture as we celebrate being a long-term sustainable business that genuinely cares for the communities we work with, while we create exciting new places across the UK.”

Alexandra Berry, Head of Sustainability at the Strand Palace Hotel said: “Our team love to get involved in team-building hikes, red nose days, wellbeing walks, ‘Wear it Pink’ days, charity runs, bingo nights, themed quizzes, clothing donation drives, as well as offering our team a paid volunteering day each year. Feedback from our team has expressed these community events provide socialisation and relaxation outside of the hotel alongside contribution to a charitable cause, of which they are passionate about supporting.

“In 2023, the team raised over £3,000 through 8 local fundraising activities. What’s more, we have a regular commitment with The Connection at St Martins for our team members to volunteer to spend time with The Connection’s guests in their art room. With arts, crafts and chatting, the visits from the Strand Palace team help to build the guests’ confidence and social skills, providing a creative outlet away from the stress of being homeless.”

Business

Glass theft warning as pubs prepare for busy summer

Published

12 hours ago

June 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PUBGOERS are being urged to leave their pint glasses behind this summer amid warnings that thefts are adding pressure to already struggling pubs.

The call comes after Jeremy Clarkson revealed that his Oxfordshire pub, The Farmer’s Dog, is losing up to 400 pint glasses a week.

Small business comparison site Bionic said the issue is not confined to one venue, with millions of adults admitting they have taken tableware from pubs, bars or restaurants.

Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic, said: “Many people see taking a pint glass home as a harmless act, but the costs can quickly add up for pubs, bars and restaurants already facing rising expenses and tight margins.

“If you want to support UK hospitality and help your favourite venues thrive this summer, leave all pint glasses behind.”

Bionic said glass theft can also have consequences for customers.

Ms Court-Jones added: “Stealing glassware from a pub might seem like a minor offence, but it is still theft. Licensed premises have the right to refuse service and may bar individuals caught stealing.

“In some cases, the police may be called. While a prison sentence is unlikely for a minor offence, individuals may face a formal warning, a fine, or a criminal record.”

The company said pubs and bars can reduce losses by using CCTV, setting clear house rules, switching to unbranded glassware, and checking whether their insurance covers stolen or damaged stock.

Hospitality businesses across the UK have faced rising costs in recent years, including energy, staffing, food, drink and supplies, with many warning that even small losses can have a serious impact on margins.

Caption: Jeremy Clarkson at The Farmer’s Dog pub, where glass theft has reportedly become a major problem.

Business

Planners reject farm’s sheep milk gin distillery expansion

Published

15 hours ago

June 10, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to keep a building which would partly be used a distillery at a Pembrokeshire farm which produces award-winning sheep milk-infused gin has been turned down by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Steven and Julie Ayers of Fifth Flock Spirits Ltd through agent Johnston Planning Ltd sought permission for the retention of a replacement building for farm diversification purposes incorporating a gin distillery with associated function/tasting room, reception area for farm businesses, including the distillery, a kennels and caravan site, along with offices and associated storage facilities at Nash Mountain Farm, Sardis.

Two previous similar 2024 and 2025 applications have been refused, the latest scheme removing some previous elements.

A supporting statement said the building would be used for farm diversification purposes for a number of established rural enterprises on the holding “but primarily in connection with Fifth Flock Spirits Ltd, a family run drinks company specializing in gin infused with milk derived from the resident flock at Nash Mountain”.

It said the 2023-erected building had replaced an earlier long-standing dilapidated farm building on the site, and is intended to play host to the three established farm enterprises which are run in conjunction with the main agricultural operation: Nash Mountain Kennels, Nash Mountain Caravan and Camping Site and primarily Fifth Flock Ltd.

It said internal works had yet to be completed, and, in addition to the retention of the building, the application also seeks permission for some external works which have not yet been carried out.

The statement said the Ayers family has farmed at 26ha Nash Mountain, which has a flock of 168 East Friesian sheep, for some five generations, the limited acreage meaning “the agricultural mainstay is not sufficient to sustain a viable business,” leading to the farm diversifications, with Fifth Flock the latest.

It said, in addition to the main farming operation, Nash Mountain also gains income from an on-site wind turbine, a caravan site, a boarding kennels with cattery, and Fifth Flock Ltd.

On the gin side, the statement says: “Fifth Flock Spirits Ltd Fifth Flock has operated from Nash Mountain since August 2025. It is at core currently a drinks enterprise based on the production of gin and rum infused with sheep’s milk, however, as set out in the accompanying business plan, the intention is to expand the offer into other sheep-based products to capitalise on the home flock.

“Since launching the enterprise has exceeded expectations with strong demand and accolades including A Taste of Pembrokeshire Award at the Pembrokeshire Food and Farming Awards in December 2025.

“Firth Flock currently source their gin from an independent distillery in Gorgeddan, Ceredigion however the intention, as reflected in this submission, is to develop the distilling element on-site and include it as part of an immersive visitor experience focussing on the home flock.

“Firth Flock has rapidly become a cornerstone of the enterprise at Nash Mountain and whilst the building at the centre of this proposal may have been premature there is a strong case for its retention as part of the overall rural enterprise on the holding.”

It adds that the Ayers are actively exploring diversification into other wool and sheep-based products.

The application was refused on the grounds including it was not demonstrated a countyside location was needed and there was not “sufficient evidence of a genuine and established rural enterprise necessitating the development,” adding: “In particular, the primary distilling process does not currently take place at the site and instead relies on off-site production, with only a future aspiration to relocate such activities.

“As a result, the proposal represents a speculative form of development that lacks a clear and direct functional link to the agricultural holding.”

It went on to say the scale of the proposals “introduces a level of intensity and built form more akin to a standalone commercial or tourism enterprise, rather than a modest farm diversification scheme”.

Business

Plans for Ireland-UK fibreoptic cables to be connected at Pembrokeshire

Published

1 day ago

June 9, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS by a Vodafone phone company subsidiary to bring fibreoptic cables across the sea from Ireland to a Pembrokeshire seaside beach village in order to improve broadband coverage have been lodged.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Apollo Submarine Cable Systems limited, through agent APEM Group, seeks permission for the construction of four underground telecom chambers and interconnecting ducts, along with Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) underneath Brandy Brook, Newgale, and the construction of one HDD bore-to-sea outfall.

A supporting statement accompanying the application says the scheme would form the onshore part of a project to bring a fibreoptic cable onshore from Kilmore Quay, Wexford, Ireland to a site at Newsurf Shop car park, Sands Café Car Park and Duke of Edinburgh Inn, Newgale.

It says the majority of the project is subterranean, with very minor above ground works are proposed, which comprise the installation of a manhole cover.

It adds: “To facilitate improved internet connectivity, the applicant is proposing the installation of a fibreoptic telecoms cable (the Beaufort cable) from Kilmore Quay, Wexford, Ireland to Newgale.

“The project is to facilitate the installation of the Beaufort cable, as it comes ashore in Wales and to link it into the wider network, which will be operated by Vodafone’s wholly-owned subsidiary Apollo Cable System Limited in the UK.”

It says the project would see three underground telecom chambers and a 120-metre interconnecting duct, the 87-metre HDD underneath Brandy Brook, launching from the receiver pit located within the Site, along with the construction of one HDD bore-to-sea outfall, in a subtidal area of Newgale bay, of approximately 920 metres, and one underground telecom chamber and interconnecting duct.

Citing a report on digital connectivity, it says 5G geographic coverage has seen improvements but is still relatively low at 57 per cent of Wales’ landmass, with 4G the primary service.

That report says there is a difference in full fibre coverage between urban and rural areas (83 per cent versus 59 per cent) and highlighting a need for further coverage.

On the scheme itself, the statement says short-term noise and disruption to local residents “is anticipated during the construction phase however this will be limited to 57 days,” adding: “The proposed drilling operations are not to be continuous and will be limited to approximately 20 minutes in each hour,” the works in total expected to last 91 days after which land will return to its former use without restrictions.

It goes on to say: “The HDD is specifically designed to mitigate the risk of any shoreward movement of the shingle bank and beach level changes. The use of HDD reduces the likelihood of potential environmental impact on the landscape and seascape.

“The project is not anticipated to interact with Brandy Brook. All drilling works will take place within excavated launch pits and all construction works will be confined to the hardstanding of the car park.”