The Joy of Volunteering
The culture of a company usually emanates from its founder or leader, and with Jennie at the helm of Mantralis, one major part of our culture is volunteering and contributing to our community. You know that mantra – if you want something done, ask a busy woman? That could have been written about Jennie!
The Baby Bank
Jennie is Chair of FACES (Family and Children’s Early-help Services), a well-established Bedford independent charity offering practical and emotional support to families under stress. In January of 2022, she also set up Baby Bank Bedford, which is part of FACES, and we all contribute to their work during our work hours as well as voluntarily from time to time. Jennie also runs the mentoring programme for Mark Rutherford Upper School in Bedford as well as mentoring herself. She has also been providing business mentoring for young women starting their own business.
In addition to our work with Baby Bank, we are all encouraged to take on voluntary work within our communities, whether that be cultural, charitable, environmental, or educational. The idea is that we all get to be involved in what we are passionate about and are given up to two days a year additional leave to do that.
The Benefits of Volunteering
The benefits of volunteering for us as individuals are numerous, and those benefits are often great for the company – people’s personal growth and well-being are fundamental to their success at work.
Personal Fulfilment: Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment by contributing to a cause that aligns with our values and passions. For us, this one is fundamental as it can lead to a greater sense of personal satisfaction and happiness.
Skill Development: We can acquire and enhance a variety of skills through our experiences. These have included communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, and specific technical skills related to the nature of the volunteer work.
Networking and Social Connections: Volunteering provides us with opportunities to meet and connect with like-minded individuals. Building a network of contacts within our community has been valuable for our personal and professional growth. It also has the potential to be good for the company.
Increased Self-Esteem and Confidence: Successfully contributing to a cause and making a positive impact can boost an individual’s self-esteem and confidence. Volunteering allows us to see the value of our contributions and feel appreciated.
Personal Growth and Learning: Volunteering exposes us to new experiences, perspectives, and challenges, fostering personal growth and continuous learning. It has broadened our horizons and deepened our understanding of diverse issues, which we can bring back to our work roles.
Sense of Community: Volunteering often involves working within a community, whether local or global. This sense of community can create a feeling of belonging and connectedness, fostering a positive impact on our overall well-being.
Fun and Enjoyment: Volunteering can be enjoyable and personally rewarding. It allows us to pursue activities we are passionate about, giving us a positive and fulfilling experience.
Team Effort
We are clear as a company that encouraging everyone in the team to get involved either with the Baby Bank or with other volunteering work is a win-win for us and for them. People have responded enthusiastically this year, and everyone has taken at least one day out to do something good for them and for their community. The photo is from the Hay Literary Festival where Caroline volunteered this year.