Volunteering has been vital over the lockdowns, with staff and students getting involved in providing food, helping out neighbours, and assisting with homelessness projects.
Did you know that you can take an additional day of leave to volunteer?
It is called Day to Make a Difference, and every member of staff is entitled to take it. With restrictions easing, Volunteers’ Week is a great opportunity to get it booked in and make a difference locally.
To use your day, all you need to do is find your opportunity, pick a day, and request it through People and Money, just like your annual leave.
Maybe you already volunteer for a local charity, organisation or good cause? If so, you could give another day to them when you would normally be working.
If you are looking for something new, have a look at the Edinburgh Local pages to find an opportunity.
And if you are still looking to get inspired – there are stories of how people have used their days on the Edinburgh Local website including:
- Using your professional expertise to help a local charity. Read Annie’s story on the Edinburgh Local website.
- Getting a team together to help out a local special school. Read the Finance team’s story on the Edinburgh Local website.
- Or doing digital volunteering from the comfort of your home. Read Sarah’s story on the Edinburgh Local website.
And because the University wants to keep on inspiring staff to use their Day to Make a Difference, there are five vouchers worth £25 on offer for those who are happy to share their stories for future case studies.
To share your story and get your voucher, contact Edinburgh Local (vouchers are first come, first served, and participants must be happy for their volunteering experience to be shared publicly). Email Edinburgh Local.