Pictured: Acorns Hospice staff with Willmott Dixon volunteers

Willmott Dixon Partnership's Birmingham branches are supporting International Volunteers Day (5 December) and says that encouraging staff to help community groups delivers all round benefits.

The repairs and maintenance company already has a successful programme for staff volunteering and believes that by allowing employees time off to help their local communities, it ensures they and the business benefit in the long run.

A survey has found that 87% of employers think that volunteering can help career progression,* and Willmott Dixon reports a positive reaction by staff to its 'Community Day' initiative, which encourages staff to provide their skills to help community groups, charities and organisations in the areas where Willmott Dixon works. 

In the last twelve months Willmott Dixon staff in the Birmingham area have donated nearly 1500 hours of their time to volunteering to community projects. 197 combined man days have been spent at local schools and community groups - completing projects that wouldn't have been possible without Willmott Dixon's help.

This approach is part of the company's 'Transformational Change' philosophy on long-term contracts, which focuses on creating major legacy benefits for local people through skills training, apprenticeships and volunteering on projects that help the community.

Recent activity has included creating an outdoor classroom for local schoolchildren, a garden makeover for some older residents and transforming an overgrown area into a children's football pitch.

International Volunteers' Day is an annual event recognised by the United Nations and which raises the profile of the millions of volunteers who regularly contribute to society, while inspiring others to get involved too.

Willmott Dixon's local Customer and Community Officer, Richard Freeman, regularly organises local community projects and acts as a volunteer in his spare time.

He said, "The fact that Willmott Dixon actively encourages its staff to volunteer on community projects is fantastic in my opinion. The projects do wonders for team spirit, and we are getting recognised within the community. I am pleased that the company has given me the opportunity to spend time with people who need our help, making a difference to their lives and surroundings."

Les Shortman, branch manager for Birmingham south branch, says, "Willmott Dixon staff have already made an excellent contribution to community projects, and supported worthwhile environmental and social projects that they feel passionate about. It is really important to us that we get involved with projects on a local level, and that staff are all keen to be involved is a bonus.

"We have noticed morale has increased since we started the project last year, and there is also the team building element to it. Teams work better together because of it. Communication is also greatly improved across the company as staff who would not normally work together, now get the opportunity to do so."

Willmott Dixon Group is one of the UK's second largest privately-owned capital works, regeneration and support services companies.

With over 158 years of experience, the company provides services within the built environment to Government, registered social landlords, local authorities and private sector clients throughout the UK.

Willmott Dixon Partnerships works within the Group to deliver support services to over 120,000 homes, 1,200 public buildings and 50 commercial properties across the UK.

* www.volunteersweek.org.uk