National Grid has pledged to double the number of staff that take part in voluntary work over the next year.

Currently 10% of the organisation's 10,000 strong workforce take part in volunteering projects but National Grid chief executive Steve Holliday said: "I would like to see this doubled over the next 12 months.
 
"Not only is this the right thing for us to be doing, but we believe that everyone benefits from volunteering. The community benefits from being able to tap into the skills and enthusiasm of our workforce. Individuals learn so much from the experience and bring different skills back into the workplace. And National Grid benefits from having a motivated workforce that is proud to work for the company."

National Grid carried out research, finding half of the UK's adults - numbering 25 million people - have never carried out any form of voluntary work and currently only 11% of workers volunteer, blaming time constraints for not getting involved.

And although 49% of workers believe employers should actively encourage their staff to undertake voluntary work during paid working hours, only one in eight UK employees say their company allows them time off to volunteer.