New platform Generosity Bank launches to connect small businesses with local skilled professionals through Skills Based Volunteering

The new service Generosity Bank, enables small businesses to tap into the local talent in their community through short-term skills based volunteering.

According to NCVO over 21 million people in the UK volunteer at least once a year and this contributes an estimated £23.9bn to the UK economy[1]. However, the 2018/2019 Community Life survey[2] states that the top reasons for not volunteering are due to work commitments and lack of available time. Generosity Bank aims to combat this through enabling people to volunteer their professional skills and help small businesses within their local vicinity on a one-off or short-term basis whilst strengthening their community ties.

The Generosity Bank platform allows small businesses to register their details and create a public post, detailing the help they need and the skills they require. Volunteers follow a quick sign-up process where they select their skills and the type of small businesses they want to help, before searching through local businesses in their chosen area requesting assistance. The platform automatically alerts the small business when a volunteer applies through the site.

“Generosity Bank has been in the making over the last 2 years and I am incredibly proud to finally launch the service” said Shana Doherty, Generosity Bank Founder. “The website aims to ease some of the anxiety small business owners may feel when they experience skills gaps in their business, enabling them to tap into the generosity of local skilled professionals whilst hopefully bringing communities closer together. Contributing and actively participating in your local community is something that everyone can do, even from home.” Shana went on to say “If small businesses flourish, members of the community reap the rewards of the diversity of local services offered, diversity of options in local highstreets, increased community connections, a sense of local community pride, community spirit and of course, a stronger local economy that is the catalyst for so many other benefits.”

Michelle Ovens MBE, Founder of Small Business Britain says “This is a fantastic service and one which is much needed at a time when many independent businesses face tremendous challenges. Enabling talented people to donate their time and expertise to local enterprises promotes a sense of community and strengthens the local economy. Small businesses have incredibly valuable skills and make a huge difference and contribution to society. Creating a volunteering movement like this unlocks the potential of the volunteers, the small businesses and the communities in which we live.”

If you are interested in signing up as a volunteer or a small business organisation go to www.generositybank.com. Large and established organisations are able to get involved by becoming a Partner. For more information about becoming a Partner use the contact form on the Partners page of the website www.generositybank.com/partners

The fee-based service will be free to use in an effort to help small businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic. Generosity Bank is available for use by small businesses and volunteers across the UK.