Exeter based Browne Jacobson first law firm to back national volunteering effort
UK and Ireland law firm, Browne Jacobson is backing a national effort to mobilise millions of volunteers while strengthening its employee volunteering offer, as a Founder Member of GoVo, the digital volunteering platform developed by Royal Voluntary Service.
Built in partnership with hundreds of charities, GoVo and GoVo for Business – the platform’s corporate interface - aim to expand the reach and impact of volunteering nationwide.
As a Founder Member, Browne Jacobson will work alongside Royal Voluntary Service, one of the largest volunteering organisations in Britain, to support GoVo’s continued development and champion volunteering through its national networks.
Browne Jacobson, which employs over 1300 staff, across seven office locations, including in Exeter’s Southernhay Gardens, is the first law firm to back the platform and will use GoVo for Business to scale its employee volunteering efforts. All colleagues will be able to use the platform to access and apply for volunteering opportunities in their communities and find options to suit their schedules and interests.
The new partnership builds on Browne Jacobson’s wider community engagement strategy, which also features pro bono work in partnership with LawWorks; community action programmes that support fundraising for local causes to each office; and the Browne Jacobson Charitable Trust, which provides donations for specific programmes run by small charities.
In addition to becoming a Founder Member, Browne Jacobson is also stepping up to support Royal Voluntary Service’s new campaign to double employee volunteering by the end of 2028. The 100 Million Hour Movement has been launched to help elevate employee morale and engagement while strengthening society through greater participation in workplace volunteering. It comes in response to clear evidence of volunteering’s many benefits.
Carole Urey, Chief Revenue Officer, Royal Voluntary Service, said: “GoVo represents the next wave of tech-for-good and we’re delighted to welcome Browne Jacobson as a Founder Member. As a law firm working to make a difference in business and society and with connections across regions and sectors, Browne Jacobson brings valuable expertise and perspective that will help shape our offer for organisations across the UK.
We’re also pleased to have it as a 100 Million Hour Movement pledge signatory. If more businesses and employers lean in, the potential for the UK is considerable – helping to close a growing volunteer shortfall at a time of rising demand for support.
We look forward to working with the Browne Jacobson team to champion the power of workplace volunteering and supporting them to enhance their own volunteering offer with the roll out of GoVo for Business.”
Beth Dowson, partner and Community Action co-lead at Browne Jacobson, said: “Our people are passionate about making a difference in their local communities and volunteering is a great way to do this. We are proud to have joined GoVo as a founder member to help us develop a volunteering programme, as part of the firm’s community action strategy, which actively encourages our people to donate their time to a wide range of worthy causes.
“Signing the pledge reflects our commitment to going even further – to expand our impact, create more opportunities to contribute and encourage more colleagues to get involved – and supports Browne Jacobson’s ambition to work at the forefront of tackling society’s biggest issues.”
Responding to a steady decline in volunteering across the country, GoVo is designed to make it easy for individuals to connect with volunteering opportunities, including through workplace programmes. With 500+ roles in every postcode – users can access thousands of flexible and diverse roles and better fit volunteering around other commitments.
GoVo and GoVo for Business are part of Royal Voluntary Service’s mission to grow volunteering across the country, opening up new ways for people to give their time in ways that work for them. The platform allows users to find and sign up for local and national opportunities based on their interests, skills and availability. By collaborating with major employers and partners, Royal Voluntary Service hopes to make volunteering a mainstream, accessible part of everyday life - for individuals, teams and entire workforces.
To find out more or to join the 100 Million Hour Movement visit: www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/business
