As a local business, you are likely at the heart of your community, driving positive change, providing services, and fostering meaningful connections. One powerful way to deepen your community impact is by opening your doors to volunteers from organisations such as Oak Lodge. Not only does this benefit the volunteers, but it can also bring fresh perspectives, enhance your workplace culture, and contribute to your business's growth and resilience. In this blog, we look at how much impact volunteering can have on your business:
Benefits of Welcoming Volunteers
Enhance Your Team’s Diversity and Build Empathy
Incorporating volunteers with additional needs brings a wealth of diversity to your workplace. It fosters an environment where team members experience different perspectives, encouraging greater understanding, patience, and compassion. Volunteers gain confidence and life skills in a supportive setting, and your team learns valuable lessons in empathy and communication that can strengthen their interpersonal skills.
Real-Life Impact: Your staff might gain new insights into how to better serve diverse customers or develop more inclusive practices within your business.
Give Back to the Community with Lasting Social Impact
Inviting volunteers into your workplace is an impactful way to give back to the community. When you invest in the development of adults with additional needs, you contribute to a more inclusive society. Adult learners gain a sense of purpose and build essential skills through volunteer opportunities, which can significantly improve their well-being.
Real-Life Impact: As a small business, your involvement can inspire other businesses in the community to take similar steps, fostering a more inclusive and supportive local economy.
Boost Team Morale and Engagement
Having volunteers in the workplace often brings a sense of purpose and positivity to the team. Witnessing individuals’ excitement and commitment to learning can uplift the workplace atmosphere, leading to higher morale. Employees often feel a renewed sense of purpose and fulfilment when they see firsthand the difference they’re making in someone’s life.
Real-Life Impact: Improved employee morale has been linked to higher productivity, lower turnover, and better customer service — all essential elements for a thriving small business.
Contribute to the Development of Valuable Skills for Volunteers
Volunteer placements allow adult learners to develop practical skills and gain meaningful life experiences. By providing a structured, supportive environment in your workplace, you help volunteers acquire skills that are critical for personal growth, such as communication, teamwork, time management, and customer service. These experiences are pivotal in building their confidence and independence.
Real-Life Impact: You’re not only supporting these individuals but also preparing them for future opportunities, which could one day include paid roles within your business or elsewhere.
Expand Your Business’s Reputation and Reach
Demonstrating inclusivity and community commitment can enhance your brand’s reputation. Local businesses that support inclusive practices often attract a loyal customer base who value community engagement and social responsibility. Sharing your experiences with volunteers on social media or your website can help spread the word, potentially drawing in new customers who share your values.
Real-Life Impact: Positive word-of-mouth and social media engagement can increase your business’s visibility and set you apart as a leader in community involvement.
See below some of the places suitable for volunteering and the tasks volunteers can do:
If you are interested in helping some volunteers, even for one-offs, visit our web page to see how Oak Lodge can support you do this with maximum impact and minimum disruption to your business.
Your business can become a place where adult learners not only build valuable skills but also find joy in being part of a warm, inclusive community. Seize this chance to make a difference, promote community goodwill, and enrich your workplace culture.
Together, we can create a more inclusive community.
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