From time to time, things like this come up across the Council - seasonal activity, like gift wrapping, a bit of painting and decorating, helping with an event, lending a hand where it’s needed. Often, it’s shared informally, and people step in because they want to help.

What we don’t always do is connect that back to the Employee Volunteering Policy. When something like this comes up, it’s worth pausing and asking a simple question: could this count?

If an activity is optional, planned in advance and happening during working time, the policy might be the right route. It doesn’t change what’s being asked - it just means it’s clearer, fairer and recorded properly.

This isn’t about creating new asks or extra pressure. It’s just about noticing when something already being planned could be supported through the policy. 

Sometimes it’s not about doing more - just about calling it what it is.