Here at GC, our 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.
Big Drop Off Volunteering Update
For the past two years, the GC Employment GM Sales Team has dedicated some of their volunteering days to support FC United's Big Coat Day.
Throughout November 2024, the team organised collections of warm clothes, toiletries, and toys from various GC Employment sites as part of the 'One Big Drop Off' initiative.
In December, they gathered all the items to sort and ensured they met the necessary criteria before delivering them to FC United Stadium in Moston.
From there, the donations were distributed to local charities and community groups to assist those in need during the challenging winter months.
Fern Goddard, Head of Sales in the Sales & Recruitment team thanked colleagues for their contributions and those who volunteered. She said:
"This initiative is incredibly rewarding, allowing us to give back and support some of the most vulnerable members of our GM communities. Additionally, it provides a fantastic opportunity for team bonding as we come together to engage in this meaningful activity."
What's My Job?
In January 2025, Fern Goddard, also utilised half a day of her volunteering time to participate in the 'What's My Job?', an initiative by Manchester City Council.
Fern told us what the initiative involved when she visited Cravenwood Primary School:
"This programme invites individuals from various professions to visit primary and secondary schools to talk about their job roles. The school children ask questions to gather information and then try to guess your job role based on the answers (you can always count on at least one child asking about your salary and if you're a 'boss')."
The purpose of the activity is to showcase the diverse range of careers available and the paths taken to achieve them. Several members of Fern's team have participated in this initiative over the past year, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. The children’s enthusiasm and ambition for their future careers are truly humbling.
Fern encourages others to get involved in the initiative:
"Given our positive experiences, we have also introduced some of our employers to the scheme, encouraging them to participate as well. If this is something you would like to utilise some of your volunteering time to undertake, please contact Fern.Goddard@gcemployment.uk or Suzanne.Grange@gcemployment.uk in GC Employment."
Support to Succeed team volunteered with Ardwick Climate Action
Some of our Support to Succeed team volunteered for a day with Ardwick Climate Action at Brunswick Parish Church on 14th January.
They took part in litter picking, bulb planting and bird box maintenance. Beau the dog supported by helping find half-eaten, discarded balls, and seemingly was very qualified in this department!
Ardwick Climate Action's mission is to protect the local environment through grassroots advocacy that engages the local community. Their work encompasses the renewing of green spaces, monitoring pollution levels, and climate advocacy through community engagement. Ardwick is one of the most deprived areas in Manchester, and much work is needed to reengage and sensitise the community back to nature and the climate crisis that affects all its residents.
About the volunteering experience, Jodie Richardson, Service Manager on the Support to Succeed programme told us:
"Volunteering with Ardwick Climate Action was a surprisingly enjoyable and fulfilling experience. Despite my initial apprehensions about gardening and my sensory sensitivities, the support and flexibility provided by Dan and Gordon made all the difference. Their thoughtful approach and innovative tools allowed me to participate fully and comfortably. It was a day of teamwork, community spirit, and making a positive impact on our environment – though I'm not sure any of us enjoyed it as much as my dog, Beau!"
Volunteering on a trip to trip to Sri Lanka
Kelly Bailey, Operations Director, Adult Provision - Business Development, has recently returned from a trip to Sri Lanka, where she spent a couple of days volunteering in a school. Kelly told us:
"We spent time with the children so they could practice their English and played sports with them. Also, as part of a charity I support, we donated IT & Sports equipment to support the children’s learning."
