PHIL SPOKES
Founder and Business Director
Volunteering is an integral part of our work as a social business. We encourage everyone to participate in a variety of company-led volunteering opportunities. Additionally, we offer an extra paid volunteer day, empowering our team to contribute to causes that matter most to them personally.
A significant portion of our company volunteer days is dedicated to supporting local schools. I’ve had conversations with several small business owners who are eager to embrace social responsibility but are unsure of how to start or feel constrained by limited capital or time.
Getting involved is simple, and no matter your skills or experience, there’s always a way to contribute.
Volunteering in a school is an excellent first step toward building a socially responsible business. It requires minimal commitment and only a small investment of time. Getting involved is simple, and no matter your skills or experience, there’s always a way to contribute. Over the years, we’ve organised activities such as career talks, CV workshops, mock interviews, design sessions, work experience placements, mentoring, and more.
Getting started
Organisations like Inspiring the Future, Give an Hour, and STEM provide flexible, informal volunteering opportunities with no long-term commitment required. Finding local activities through these platforms is simple, and some opportunities can even be done remotely. Alternatively, you can reach out directly to local schools. I recommend connecting with their career leads, who are typically responsible for organising such activities.
There are also more formal and long-term volunteering opportunities available. For example, I previously served as an Enterprise Advisor for a local SEN school. This role began through volunteering with Give an Hour and later evolved into becoming one of the school governors, allowing me to take an active role in their operations.
Additionally, I mentor with Young Enterprise, supporting a group of young people as they set up and run their own business. This involves weekly meetings and being available via phone, text, or email in between. Both experiences have been incredibly rewarding, offering fascinating insights and a deep sense of connection to the school community.