This week is Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June 2026), which is a nationwide celebration recognising the incredible contribution volunteers make across the UK. It also serves as an important reminder of the role businesses can play in supporting local communities and creating positive change.
At a time when many charities and community organisations are facing increasing financial pressure, business involvement and support has never been more valuable. Whether through fundraising, volunteering days, skills sharing or local partnerships, companies have the opportunity to make a real difference to local people and the communities around them.
Here at Crawley Innovation Centre, we have adopted Olive Tree Cancer Support as the local charity we are supporting and our team are providing gift-in-kind donations such as stationery items, to volunteering for the charity and fundraising.
It is well known that encouraging employees to volunteer not only benefits charities but also helps strengthen teamwork, wellbeing and employee engagement. Giving back to the community can create a stronger connection between businesses and the people they serve, while demonstrating a genuine commitment to a company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) or Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies.
Volunteers’ Week is the perfect opportunity for organisations of all sizes to reflect on how they can support local initiatives and inspire others to get involved. Even small acts of support can have a lasting impact. Together, businesses and volunteers can help build stronger, more connected communities for the future.