Our GC volunteering policy, Volunteer2day, allows you to take up to two days' leave in any one-year rolling period to volunteer.
You can take your two days' leave in hours, half days and full days, and if your volunteering is done outside of the working day, you can claim this time back in lieu. If you have already done volunteering in the calendar year which you would like to count towards your two days, you are able to do this and claim the time back in the same way.
Last month, our GM- Business Growth Hub Innovation Team volunteered for an afternoon at Victoria Baths, a Grade II listed building in the Chorlton-on-Medlock area of Manchester.
As Hub elves, they created massive paper chains and large festive baubles to help the Baths get ready for their Festive Winter.
Ella Walker, Volunteer, Operations and Engagement Management at Victoria Baths told us that this was the busiest Festive Fair on record for the Baths. They welcomed over 1400 visitors and generated an amazing number of donations and purchases in their shop and tearoom.
Being able to dress the building at events is so vital for the event taking place, but also for their future events. When the building looks great it helps them make more of an impact, and helps them promote and sell out their future events.
Holly Young, Network Manager, in the Innovation team explained what was involved for our colleagues and how the day went:
"I really enjoyed supporting Victoria Baths with festive decoration making. It was a lovely creative day with colleagues, it was fun to get to know each other more in an informal environment, whilst knowing that we were able to support a charity and a heritage building with such a surprising story. All their decorations are made as sustainable as possible, re-purposing existing decorations.
"Staff from the venue even bring in their own Christmas trees from home to help the venue feel festive, so I know our support went a really long way. We also enjoyed a tour of the venue, learning the story of the baths, and seeing locations that have been used for filming. I’d encourage colleagues to visit the baths for an afternoon out!"
Yvonne Grady, Head of Innovation, reflected on the importance of colleagues giving back to our communities:
"I’d encourage all colleagues across GC to volunteer. Giving back to our communities not only strengthens the bonds that hold us together, but also brings immense joy and fulfilment – especially during the build up to the festive season. Supporting the incredible assets right on our doorstep is a privilege that enriches both our lives and livelihoods of those around us."
