CIPD Chief Executive, Peter Cheese, says: ‘Our focus in recent years has been to develop new opportunities for HR and L&D professionals to share and enhance their skills and experience while giving back to wider communities. These opportunities, all in support of championing better work and working lives, have inspired thousands more of you to volunteer, contributing to the reputation and influence of the CIPD and wider profession. I am immensely proud to head up an organisation where thousands of members are prepared to give back to each other and the wider world in this way, reinforcing the values we have as a profession.’
Professional volunteering and mentoring
Use your experience as a people professional to make a meaningful impact in our community and wider society

Our members support and champion our mission of Championing Better Work and Working Lives in a number of ways;
- volunteering to support someone out of work to gain confidence and employability skills
- supporting careers leaders in schools to bring the world of work to life
- working with charities and small businesses without an HR function
- offering to mentor future leaders
- through our thriving, vibrant network of 52 local branches run by CIPD members on a voluntary basis.
For many of our volunteers, whilst they are working with us to drive change in their own and other organisations, volunteering also supports their own professional development. Volunteering helps to develop key skills including confidence, strategic thinking and leadership. All our volunteering and mentoring programmes support our work around Diversity and Inclusion, Wellbeing and Skills.
We are proud of this fantastic commitment and will continue to seek out and provide high quality volunteering opportunities which make a real impact.
Our volunteering and mentoring programmes support the following areas, find out more by clicking through:
Young people
Support young people as they think about their careers and take their first steps into the workplace
Supporting the profession
Changing work for the better by supporting and connecting HR and L&D professionals
Improving workplaces
Drive real and lasting change in your organisation and help us to champion better work and working lives
Supporting people into work
Use your HR skills to guide and support people to navigate the challenges of securing a job
CIPD Branches
Our network of local branches creates one of the most vibrant and engaging face-to-face communities for people professionals across the UK. With over 1,000 CPD, learning and networking activities across the year, the branches are one of our strongest channels to engage and support the profession
Make your impact count
Volunteering through one of our programmes is a great way to develop and demonstrate the core knowledge and behaviour standards set out in the new Profession Map and truly live the purpose and values
Meet our volunteers
Hear from some of our amazing volunteers as they share their experiences
Success stories
Meet the people who’ve been helped by our volunteer programmes
Volunteering during COVID-19
As part of our COVID-19 response, we worked to support those in critical need of HR expertise through both new and refreshed volunteer programmes

6 in 10 secure employment through Steps Ahead Mentoring

75% of pupils are career ready due to Enterprise Advisers

100% of Returner Champions made workplace changes to support flexible working, inclusive work culture and widen their talent pool

3 programmes developed to support people during COVID-19