I am delighted to report that we now have 300 business members
We have reached an important milestone of 300 business members,
‘Pilotlighters’, across our three offices in London, Scotland and Wales.
Every year Pilotlight surveys our Pilotlighters, to find out about their
experience of volunteering with us. This year, we asked them about their
motivation, whether they had benefited from being a Pilotlighter and whether
it has changed their attitude towards the voluntary sector.
In terms of motivation, 89% said they joined Pilotlight to give something
back to the charity sector and 44% said it was for professional learning and
development.
The decision to join has certainly paid off. Ninety per cent said they were
satisfied or extremely satisfied with their Pilotlight membership.
How have they benefited?
In terms of skills and attitudes, 54% said they were now more willing to see
things from different perspectives, 49% said their experience had improved
their coaching and mentoring, 47% said they were now better at working with
limited resources and 35% said they were now more diplomatic!
Pilotlighters have also benefited in other ways. Forty-five per cent say
they have made useful contacts.
Compared with other volunteering or CSR programmes, 75% think Pilotlight
offers them a better opportunity to make an effective contribution to
charities. Pilotlight also compares well with other professional development
programmes, 61% said their experience with Pilotlight was more satisfactory.
What is the wider impact?
The experience has also changed overall commitment levels to the voluntary
sector. Before joining Pilotlight, nearly 60% of Pilotlighters did not spend
any time volunteering. However, now, over 70% volunteer outside of their
commitment to Pilotlight. Twenty per cent of Pilotlighters have become
trustees and 32% are now giving more than seven days a year.
Not only are they giving more time, Pilotlighters have become voluntary
sector champions. Over 70% have encouraged colleagues or their company to
change their approach to volunteering or corporate social responsibility
since working with Pilotlight.
I am delighted that our members are benefiting in these ways so that the
whole Pilotlight experience is a two-way process.
Fiona Halton
Chief Executive, Pilotlight Group