When we talk about wellbeing in hospitality, the conversation usually focusses on rotas, pay, late finishes and the pressure of service. All of this is true, but there’s another lever that’s quietly proving powerful. Giving people paid time to volunteer as part of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) program is helping employees achieve a new found sense of purpose.

Volunteering places teams and individuals in a different environment where the job may still be hands-on, but the pressure has lifted. Rather than chasing covers, the dynamic shifts to helping others, and that detail matters. National volunteering research from NCVO in 2023 found 75% of volunteers said it improved their mental health and wellbeing, with social connection a major driver. The Oxford University research team has also pointed to volunteering as a wellbeing intervention that stands out because it builds belonging and meaning, not just coping skills.

Hospitality businesses are already putting this into practice

In Cork, Trigon Hotels introduced a paid charity day for every team member, timed with Ireland’s Workplace Wellbeing Day in 2022. One of their most successful projects was the creation of a new sensory garden at the Cope Foundation – a charity that supports children and adults with learning disabilities. 

Across the hotel sector, Red Carnation Hotels allocates two volunteering days per employee each year, which staff can donate to a charity of their choice. Examples shared by the group range from community projects to local charity support, and that choice is the point. Autonomy is a mental health multiplier. When people pick the cause, they’re more likely to feel pride, agency and connection, rather than feeling like a corporate outing.

Award-winning pub and restaurant business

Award-winning pub and restaurant business, Cambscuisine, gives each restaurant team two charity days a year to volunteer with a charity of their choice. They also run a community fund which supports charities who give people a second chance in life. They raise the money by offering guests the opportunity to add £1 to their bill. In 2025, the Cambscuisine Community Fund awarded 56 grants totalling £206,499 across a wide range of primary issues from arts and culture to mental heath, social inclusion and homelessness.

Team-led volunteering like this can soften hierarchy. You get chefs, front of house and managers side by side, doing something practical with a shared goal. That shared “we did it” feeling can travel back into service, especially for newer team members who are still settling in.

Charity Days

If you’re considering charity days, keep it simple. Make sure it is paid time away from work and is easy to book. Offer solo options for people who want headspace, and team options for those who want togetherness. Ask your staff what they want to do, or if they want to lead a project, then celebrate the stories together. In a sector built on service, giving time to your team can be one of the most rewarding wellbeing benefits you can offer.