Centrica backs national effort to mobilise millions more volunteers

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Centrica has been announced as one of four founding members of GoVo, the new digital volunteering platform launched by Royal Voluntary Service. The partnership will support an urgent volunteer drive, as new research reveals charities are anticipating a 3 million volunteer shortfall in the coming year.

The launch comes as new research by Royal Voluntary Service reveals charities anticipate a shortfall of 3 million volunteers over the next year, with a separate study by Nottingham Trent University suggesting 44% of the country’s charities are reporting rising requests for help, with one in four (25%) now unable to meet demand. The platform, built from support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery and in partnership with hundreds of charities, aims to expand the reach and impact of volunteering across Britain. 

With a focus on flexible roles, GoVo aims to makes volunteering simple and frictionless – supporting charities to reach the volunteers they need. It will empower volunteers to find roles that better fit into their lives and will enable businesses, when it launches to corporates later this year, to easily connect employees with suitable volunteering opportunities and grow their social impact.

Centrica, along with ITV, Mail Metro Media and Global are the first businesses to get behind the platform, which has the backing of hundreds of national and local charities. We will work alongside Royal Voluntary Service to support GoVo’s continued development – including piloting the platform ahead of its business launch - and helping to champion volunteering across their national networks and audiences.

In addition, some Founder Members will tap into RVS’s new business consultancy service to generate greater impact from their own employee volunteering programmes – receiving expert support on strategy, measurement and alignment with their wider people and purpose goals.

Emma Gervasio, Chief Operating Officer, Royal Voluntary Service said: “GoVo represents the next wave of tech for good and we’re delighted to welcome Centrica, Mail Metro Media, Global and ITV as the first Founder Members. Their leadership and commitment to volunteering will be instrumental in our mission to mobilise the millions of new volunteers that charities now need. Each organisation brings something unique and valuable, and all share our vision to activate employee volunteering for social impact. We're always expanding our capabilities to inspire greater action, for individual volunteers and through workplace programmes, and we look forward to welcoming our corporate partners."

Abi Robins, Director, Responsible Business at Centrica said: “We’re proud to partner with Royal Voluntary Service as a Founder Member of its new volunteering platform GoVo, helping to shape a new era of volunteering across the country. At Centrica, volunteering is a core part of our culture and employees are encouraged and supported to give back through volunteering days and community partnerships."  

"Volunteering has the power to build a stronger, more connected society, and we’ve seen for ourselves the positive impact it can have on our people and the communities we serve. As Founder Members, we're looking forward to working with Royal Voluntary Service to help mobilise more volunteers and increase our collective impact."