Kelly Windsor Fisher’s Post

There is nothing quite like Employee Volunteering at Standard Chartered to get the heart racing by learning how to seal boxes up in the quickest time ever and deepen friendships with colleagues. Shyrose Rajan and I spent this morning building boxes for our Ramadan food packages. Along with Rajesh Kumar Surana and Siji A Abraham we built up quite the team - team work, makes the dream work, and I think we built those boxes in double quick time! In case you wondered - at Standard Chartered Bank, all full-time employees are entitled to three Employee Volunteering (EV) leave days annually to support a worthwhile cause or organisation. It does remind me of an article I wrote recently, which colleagues at the Bank can find on our HR portal - which highlights that volunteering offers significant health benefits, such as: 1. Improves physical and mental health. 2. Provides a sense of purpose and teaches valuable skills. 3. Nurture new and existing relationships. What other benefits would you add? What volunteering have you participated in recently? #wellbeing #volunteering #supportingcommunities #ramadan

When I started volunteering, I thought I was just giving back. Little did I know, those moments would lay the foundation for my career. Technical skills open doors, but soft skills build bridges and drive change. This photo takes me back to 2017, when I volunteered with emergency services. Those days were about more than just helping people in need— they were about learning resilience, teamwork, and the importance of being proactive under pressure. When I reflect on how I started— spending afternoons crafting and chatting with elderly or responding to emergencies— it wasn’t just about offering care. It was about understanding how small, intentional actions create a ripple effect of well-being. That lesson stayed with me, whether I was supporting MENA female entrepreneurs or helping distribute food to communities through a local food bank. Each step has reinforced one truth: quality isn’t just measured in metrics— it’s built through connection, empathy, and proactivity. Whether organizing surveys or delivering training that empowers teams to improve quality standards, I’ve learned that the technical side of quality management thrives when it’s paired with heart. Today, I find joy in blending systems and soft skills, creating environments where both employees and residents can thrive. These experiences have shaped not just my career, but also how I approach challenges and opportunities every day. As we step into 2025, I carry these lessons with me: small actions can create big impact, and meaningful change happens when we bring connection into everything we do. Let’s focus not just on what we achieve this year, but how we achieve it!

At DLG, we’re committed to making insurance personal, inclusive and a force for good. Volunteering is just one way we do this. Last year, some of our HR and recruitment team chose to volunteer with the Young Women’s Trust, a charity that champions young women aged 18 to 30 on low or no pay. The Trust offers young women free coaching, feedback on job applications and information to help them get where they want to be. DLG’s Talent Acquisition partner, Amelia Gawthrop, was one of the team who volunteered. She explains: “We’ll look at how they can improve their CV, from layout to content, what to include in cover letters, how to best sell themselves and how to understand what employers look for in an application. We also delve into techniques to boost confidence and help young women present their unique skills and experiences in the best light. Volunteering with the Young Women’s Trust is incredibly rewarding, offering us a chance to support these women in building brighter futures while gaining valuable insights into the challenges many job seekers face today”.

Yesterday, thanks to Reward Gateway | Edenred, I had the chance to roll up my sleeves and volunteer with some amazing colleagues at The Felix Project. 💚🍎 For those who don’t know, The Felix Project is doing incredible work tackling food waste and hunger. They rescue surplus food that would otherwise go to waste and redistribute it to charities and schools, providing millions of meals to people across London. Since 2016, they’ve delivered over 260 million meals—how amazing is that? It felt so good to give back, and it got me thinking about the ripple effects volunteering can have—for both employees and companies: Why volunteering is a win-win: ✨ For employees: It can boost mental health, increase confidence, and even help build new skills (hello, teamwork and leadership!). Plus, it’s a great way to connect with others and feel part of something bigger. ✨ For companies: Volunteering supports the local community, strengthens company culture, and helps spot future leaders. Not to mention, it’s a great way to enhance employee engagement and loyalty. After spending the day with The Felix Project, I left feeling inspired, grateful, and reminded of how small actions can make a big difference. Does your company give you volunteer days? If so, how do you plan to use yours? 🌍✨ #Volunteering #GiveBack #EmployeeEngagement #TheFelixProject #RewardGateway #MakeAnImpact

Growth's best-kept secret? (What no one tells you about volunteering) Where’s the one place you can get; 🟢 Gain skills. 🟢 Fill out your CV. 🟢 Get real experience. 🟢 Network with people. at zero cost to yourself. It’s through volunteering. Volunteering is the practical classroom no one told you about. 90% of the time you don’t know what you are doing but you know if you stay and preserve you will learn something. Through volunteering 📌I built my confidence. 📌I had 3 international jobs. 📌I organized two conferences. 📌I went into rooms, I would normally avoid. 📌I met people who changed my perspective. and the best part is the kind of exposure it gives you and the impact you get to give back. PS: Have you ever volunteered and how did it help you?

When I first started volunteering, I never imagined the profound impact it would have…not just on the community, but on my own development. Giving back teaches you so much: leadership, resilience, empathy, and the importance of teamwork. It pushes you out of your comfort zone and connects you with people and opportunities that challenge your perspective. Through every event, committee, and project, I’ve learned that the more you give, the more you grow. Whether it’s developing new skills, gaining fresh insights, or expanding your network, the benefits are endless. If you’re looking for a way to contribute and develop yourself in the process, consider volunteering. It’s an investment in others and yourself. 💡 #Leadership #Volunteerism #GrowthMindset #GiveBack Photo : Jamaica Association of Insurance Financial Advisors AGM 2024

What do a 19-year-old prison leaver, a neurodivergent ex-lawyer, and a partially sighted chef all have in common? They’re Radicals. And last Friday, they joined our incredible partners at Cushman & Wakefield for an employability event that was nothing short of game-changing. Let me tell you, this wasn’t just another corporate workshop. The energy in that room was electric. The Radical team, backed by 11 powerhouse volunteers, worked with our Radicals to craft and deliver knockout 2-minute elevator pitches. The result? Mind-blowing. Our Radicals didn’t just deliver—they owned the room. They turned their lived experiences into powerful, compelling narratives that had everyone captivated. And the volunteers? Absolute legends. They gave their time, their heart, and their expertise to help our Radicals pinpoint the unique skills and untapped potential that make them stand out to future employers. By the end of the day, you could feel the transformation. Watching our Radicals leave with their heads held high, confidence radiating, was everything. A massive shoutout to Cushman & Wakefield for hosting and making a real, tangible difference through their commitment to volunteering. You helped us shift the dial. Now, we're ready to do it again. We’re calling on businesses hungry for entry-level talent and willing to give a little time to make a massive impact. Here's the deal: We need businesses with up to 15 volunteers who can offer a day of their time and skills. Next stop: London, week of October 7th, and Stockport, week of November 18th. If you're ready to be part of something that matters—to help transform lives and tap into talent that’s ready to soar—drop me an email: [email protected] Let’s make Radical magic happen...

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 Every time I reflect on my volunteer journey, I'm reminded of how much impact we can create when we choose to give without expecting anything in return. Volunteerism, to me, is more than just an activity—it's a commitment to positive change. It's about stepping up, even when there's no financial reward, and knowing that your efforts are contributing to something greater than yourself. Through volunteering, I've learned that the value we bring to others is immeasurable. It’s not just about the skills we gain, like #publicspeaking, #leadership, or #teamwork—though these are certainly invaluable. It’s about the lives we touch, the communities we uplift, and the connections we forge along the way. Volunteerism is a reminder that, together, we can make the world a better place, one small act at a time. So, as you go about your day, think about how you can give back. Remember, it's not always about grand gestures; sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness can create the biggest ripples. What’s your reason for volunteering? 𝙇𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙤 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙. 📸 Here's a glimpse of me, empowering students through the Absa Bank Ghana 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦. #volunterism #commitment #inspiration

At What Point Should You Say No to Volunteering Roles? Recently, I made the decision to quit a few volunteering positions I had taken on. It wasn’t an easy choice, but I realized something critical: volunteering had started to distract me from my primary goals. We often convince ourselves with thoughts like, "It’s just a little time; I can manage." But when you understand the principle of time, you’ll see that even "a little time" can quickly accumulate into a major distraction. If a volunteering role begins to take you away from your passion or goals, it’s okay to step back. 🤝 Remember, volunteering should complement your journey, not derail it. ****************************************************** I'm plantcodess and no, I don't plant codes.

Learning about measuring the impact of volunteering with Better Impact Volunteer Ireland Management Conference #NVMC2024 measure the input - hours volunteered - but also measure the output - Conversations had, food packages delievered, and so - truly focus on the Service Replacement Value not just the Wage Replacement Value (which under-reports the impact) #civicskills #impact #SDGs