Marvin OnumonuCentrica, ITV and Mail Metro Media have joined as founder members of GoVo, a new digital volunteering platform launched by Royal Voluntary Service.
GoVo was built with support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, working with hundreds of charities.
The platform aims to make volunteering easier and more flexible, helping charities find the volunteers they need.
Research from the Royal Voluntary Service found charities expected a shortfall of 3 million volunteers in the next year.
A separate study by Nottingham Trent University found 44% of charities were seeing more requests for help, with one in four unable to meet demand.
GoVo is focused on simple, flexible roles, so more people can fit volunteering into their lives.
The platform will also launch to businesses later this year, so companies can connect staff with volunteering opportunities.
Centrica, ITV and Mail Metro Media are the first businesses to support GoVo, alongside hundreds of national and local charities.
The organisations will help Royal Voluntary Service develop the platform, pilot it before the business launch, and promote volunteering across their networks.
Some founder members will also use Royal Voluntary Service’s new business consultancy to improve their own employee volunteering programmes.
Emma Gervasio, chief operating officer at Royal Voluntary Service, said: “GoVo represents the next wave of tech for good and we’re delighted to welcome Centrica, Mail Metro Media 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.”
Gervasio added: “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.”
Sarah Hunt, head of strategy and communications, social purpose at ITV, said “At ITV, we wanted to do something with the biggest impact to celebrate our 70th anniversary.
“Partnering with Royal Voluntary Service to inspire the nation to volunteer for charities up and down the country felt like a fitting way to benefit millions of people.
“At ITV we are proud that we make what matters and part of that is not just the content we create but giving back to communities.”
Hunt added: “All ITV colleagues are encouraged to take up to three working days a year to volunteer, sharing their skills and time for causes they care about.
“We look forward to partnering with RVS to further improve our programme and create an even bigger impact through volunteering.”
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.”
Robins added: “As Founder Members, we’re looking forward to working with Royal Voluntary Service to help mobilise more volunteers and increase our collective impact.”
Dominic Williams, chief revenue officer at Mail Metro Media, said: “Becoming a Founder Member of GoVo reflects our belief in the importance of giving back. Volunteering is a powerful way to connect with our communities and support causes our people care about.
“Across our businesses, we’ve encouraged employees to use their time and skills to make a difference, through local initiatives and national campaigns.
“We’re excited to work with Royal Voluntary Service to encourage a culture of volunteering across the UK, inspire more people to get involved and deliver more impact from our own volunteering programme.”
