Turn social value into hands-on impact and strengthen your connection to the community you serve through volunteering.
Our Partnership with County Durham Pound
Durham Community Action works closely with County Durham Pound, an initiative designed to keep investment local and maximise social value. Together, we help businesses understand how ESV can fit into their social value strategies and procurement commitments. By connecting employers with volunteering opportunities, we ensure that time and resources are spent where they have the greatest impact.
To learn more about how County Durham Pound supports local businesses and communities, visit County Durham Pound’s website www.countydurhampound.co.uk
Why volunteering?
Volunteering helps organisations:
- Provide practical, on-the-ground support and see community impact first-hand
- Improve staff physical and mental wellbeing
- Increase employee satisfaction and retention
- Develop staff skills and support professional growth
- Strengthen local reputation with customers, investors and future employees
There are many ways to get involved; explore the different types of volunteering available
Why work with us?
Support from Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV) and free expert advice has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, with smaller voluntary and community organisations experiencing the greatest decline in support (Third Sector Trends in England and Wales, 2025).
We work with hundreds of small voluntary and community organisations across County Durham. Using our local knowledge, we connect businesses with groups that need support the most and match skills to community needs.
ESV should be community-led, and we help facilitate volunteering in a way that reduces pressure for both businesses and the voluntary sector. You don’t need to be part of the ESV network to benefit from our support with volunteering in County Durham.
Employer Support Volunteering Network
Durham Community Action host the County Durham Employer Supported Volunteering Network. The network is a place for businesses with an ESV offer to come together to share best practice, troubleshoot, collaborate and find out more about available opportunities in the area.
Current members include Nissan, Durham University, BAM Nuttal, Durham County Council, Karbon Homes, Believe Housing, Farrans Construction, Waterstons, Amazon, Workwear Express and Hargreaves.
Members of the network meet quarterly and connect regularly through the network's Teams channel.
Becoming a member gets you exclusive access to the County Durham ESV Showcase event, where local VCSE groups come to find out what you do in the area and see how they can get involved.
DCA work closely with County Durham Pound to ensure that ESV is embedded in Social Value in County Durham.
For ideas on how to best utilise your ESV offer, read our case studies here
If you would like any guidance on implementing volunteering, or for more information about the network and opportunities, please email us at volunteering@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk.
