55% of businesses don't know how to collaborate with their community

Four out of five charity and community groups (81%) feel that volunteer work from businesses involving insight such as business or HR planning would benefit their organisation, according to research by Carillion.

In addition, over half (55%) of UK businesses polled confirmed a mismatch between what they offer charity or community groups and what they actually need, with less than half offering support to charities through skills-based volunteering.

When asked to rate top priorities from business contribution, community respondents rated the provision of training/job opportunities for disadvantaged people and help with operational support as highly as monetary donations.

Three quarters of all respondents (75%) believe that positive community engagement, such as partnering on local projects, makes a business more successful.