Volunteers Week 2026: The Power of Volunteering

The Power of Showing Up

When you volunteer, you’re not just ticking a box or filling a shift. You’re showing up for someone who needs you. Whether it’s running a workshop in a local school, offering energy advice to a family struggling with bills, planting trees to create greener spaces, or helping out at a grassroots sports club, every hour spent volunteering ripples outwards, touching lives, building confidence, and strengthening communities.

Since 2019, Centrica colleagues have given their time to more than 1,000 causes across the UK. That’s thousands of moments where someone’s day was made brighter, a challenge was eased, or a community was brought closer together. And as Volunteers’ Week begins, we’re proud to celebrate the momentum we’re building - working towards our ambition of donating 100,000 days by 2030 as part of our People & Planet Plan.

Volunteering: Part of Who We Are

Volunteering is woven into our culture. Every employee is given two paid volunteering days each year, with the freedom to support causes that matter to them. Some choose to join our local community programme, The Big Difference. Others help run energy support pop-ups with partners like the British Gas Energy Trust, or inspire the next generation to be greener through the Get Set for Positive Energy schools programme. Last year alone, more than 6,500 colleagues used their volunteering time to make a difference.

We also partner with organisations like The Multibank, The Royal Voluntary Service, Groundwork, The Conservation Volunteers, and WellChild - each offering unique ways to get involved and support those who need it most.

Why It Matters

Abi Robins, Director of Responsible Business, sums it up perfectly:

“Volunteering is part of who we are at Centrica. More than 42,000 volunteering days have been delivered since 2019 showing the real momentum we’re building as we work towards our ambition of donating 100,000 days by 2030. There’s a massive shortfall in volunteers needed to support charities across the country and millions of employee hours go unused every year. We know volunteering builds stronger, more connected communities, and by backing our colleagues to support the causes they care about, we’re making a lasting difference where it matters most.”

Make Your Difference

Volunteers’ Week is a reminder that anyone can make a difference. Why not consider reaching out to a local charity or community group? The need is real, and the impact is lasting.

Together, we can help fill the volunteer gap and build stronger, more resilient communities… one hour, one day, one act of kindness at a time.