Turning CSR Volunteering Days into Real Impact
At Stripey Stork, we are powered by our volunteers. Every week, their time and dedication
At Stripey Stork, we are powered by our volunteers. Every week, their time and dedication help us support local families with essential items for their children. We simply couldn’t do it without them.
Alongside our regular volunteers and corporate volunteering groups, we’re also incredibly grateful for the many people who choose to use their employer volunteering or CSR days, annual leave or regular days off to spend time with us. Whether they join us for a one-off session or return regularly throughout the year, every hour given helps us reach more families who need support.
We spoke to four volunteers who balance work and volunteering in different ways. Here, they share what inspired them to join Stripey Stork and why giving their time has become such an important part of their lives.
Jennifer works for WSP and has been volunteering with Stripey Stork for the past two and a half years. Her employer offers two CSR volunteering days each year, which she usually uses in December to support us during one of its busiest periods.
Jennifer says:
“My oldest school friend works at Stripey Stork and introduced me to the work they do. As a solo parent myself, I understand the expense associated with raising a child and I really value the environmental and sustainability ethos behind the charity. I love that well-loved items are given new homes with local families who really need them.
Over the years I’ve helped with everything from clothes sorting and making up bundles to cleaning toys and preparing Christmas gift bags. I particularly enjoyed putting together the Christmas packages – there’s something really special about preparing gifts for children who might otherwise go without at that time of year.
There have also been opportunities for my workplace to support Stripey Stork beyond volunteering. Last year, Stripey Stork received a Summer Legacy Grant from WSP for £2,500, which helped fund mattresses as part of the charity’s safer sleep campaign.
I really look forward to my volunteer days at Stripey Stork. It’s always a welcome break from the stress of office life and volunteering really helps put things into perspective when you see the extent of need within your own local area. The endless cups of tea and biscuits are also a treat in themselves!”
Rosanna works for Edrington and has been volunteering with Stripey Stork for the past three years. Her employer gives her four CSR volunteering days each year, which she splits into eight half-days so she can help regularly across the year.
Rosanna says:
“My company ethos is to give more and that really inspired me to get involved. I previously volunteered at a baby bank in Glasgow with some colleagues and was struck by the scale of need out there. I was really moved by some of the stories behind the packages we were putting together, so I decided to find a local charity and that’s when I found Stripey Stork.
I’ve helped with all sorts of tasks. I’ve mastered stairgates, making sure they have all the right parts and are labelled correctly. I’ve also sorted school uniform and put together clothing pack for children of different ages. It’s lovely choosing outfits you think a child will like and adding a toy or a book.
Being able to volunteer means a lot to me. I really enjoy the chance to give back, meet other local volunteers and spend time with all the lovely people who work for Stripey Stork.”
Nadeem works for Cisco and first discovered Stripey Stork through a lunch and learn session at work. Since then, he has volunteered both as part of corporate group days with his colleagues and independently.
Nadeem says:
“We get ten days to volunteer each year, which is fantastic. Stripey Stork has become one of the main charities I always want to come back to. What I really like is the flexibility. I can join a corporate volunteering day with colleagues, but I can also sign up individually and volunteer alongside the regular Stripey Stork team using my CSR volunteering days
I’ve done a huge variety of tasks – sorting donations, organising stock, moving deliveries, cleaning baby baths and pushchairs and learning new skills like putting together stairgates and Moses baskets.
My employer also donates £7 for every volunteering hour and matches employee donations through Benevity. In a time of growing need, even small contributions from individuals and companies can make a real difference.
Volunteering at Stripey Stork feels purposeful. It reminds you that hardship exists everywhere, even in places people may not expect, and it helps you appreciate what many of us take for granted. I also love that Stripey Stork helps people start volunteering if they’re not sure where to begin. The team are always so welcoming and supportive and their positivity really rubs off on you.”
Juliet works a four-day week, which means she has Fridays free. She uses some of that time to volunteer at Stripey Stork and aims to come in every other Friday. She has been volunteering since January last year.
Juliet says:
“My first connection with Stripey Stork came through a local friend and through earlier fundraising that supported the charity. Later, I suggested Stripey Stork as an option for one of my workplace volunteering days. Visiting the warehouse for the first time with colleagues really made an impact on me. It was such a positive, hands-on experience and I could immediately see the value of the work being done.
That experience inspired me to continue volunteering independently. It feels like such a simple way to give a bit of time while making a meaningful difference.
I usually help with sorting clothes, which I really enjoy. There’s something very satisfying about organising items, preparing packs and knowing they’ll go directly to people who need them. I also really value meeting the other volunteers – everyone is so friendly and welcoming.
Volunteering at Stripey Stork means a lot to me. It’s a grounding experience and a reminder of how important it is to support one another. None of us know what the future holds and it’s reassuring to know there are compassionate, community-driven support systems like Stripey Stork in place for people who need them. It’s something I feel genuinely proud to be part of.”
Jennifer, Rosanna, Nadeem and Juliet all give their time in different ways – through CSR days, regular days off, or ad hoc sessions when they can. What they have in common is a desire to make a practical difference close to home.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you have enough time to volunteer, their stories show that there’s no single way to do it. Whether you can spare a few hours once a month or want to use workplace volunteering days, every contribution helps us to continue supporting local children and parents with the essentials they need for their children to thrive. visit our volunteering section on our website to see how you can get involved.
At Stripey Stork, we are powered by our volunteers. Every week, their time and dedication
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