Picture Ref: 77710-296MANY potential volunteers may feel too busy at work to give up their free time to help others.
But what happens if companies help their staff to volunteer?
Across Swindon hundreds of workers get involved in community projects with a bit of encouragement from their bosses.
Alex Mullins, from the Volunteer Centre Swindon, thinks it is a great way for people to volunteer and that companies can benefit too.
This week is National Volunteer Week and the Advertiser is highlighting ways people can get involved locally.
"Swindon, home to household name companies such as Zurich, Nationwide, Intel, Motorola and others, already recognises the benefits from carrying out a volunteering challenge," said Alex.
"This is usually where a group of staff undertake to do a major task, usually all in one day, such as painting the walls of a community centre or a garden makeover.
"Companies also see the benefit from giving staff time out of the office for them to do a skills share or individual voluntary work such as mentoring, or listening to children reading on a regular basis."
The Volunteer Centre is currently looking for organisations to tackle challenges including painting railings at a school as well as decorating community centres and the Wiltshire Blind Association's Craven House building.
Swindon Rangers also need help from groups of volunteers, particularly at Stanton Park, and can tailor activities for different groups.
Trustees are always needed for voluntary groups.
At Intel staff are encouraged to volunteer and for every hour of their own time they give the company gives them an hour off to devote to volunteering.
"People find it so invigorating when they get involved," said John Fowler, the community affairs officer.
"They feel they are adding something to the community rather than just working all the time."
The students Intel takes on placement each year also chose a project to work on during their time.
This year the students have been raising money and are now ready to start work helping Uplands School with decorating work at the school house in St Mary's Grove.
As part of National Volun-teers Week representatives from Zurich, Motorola, Port-man Building Society, RWE npower and Swindon Cham-ber of Commerce will visit Prospect Hospice and the Welcome Family Centre to find out more about volunteering tomorrow.
The Volunteer Centre would like to hear from any company or organisation, big or small, which would like to get its staff involved in volunteering.
Ring 01793 420557 or call in at 1 John Street, Swindon, between 11am and 3pm.
The centre also has a stand in the Brunel Centre from 9am to 3.30pm today.
Isabel Field
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article