FINANCE companies in Jersey should consider allowing their staff one day a month to volunteer and give something back to the community.

Acknowledging that banks in Jersey already give large sums of money to charity, the chief executive of Volunteering England, Justin Davis Smith, believes that more could and should be done.

He has also claimed that volunteering while in a credit crunch not only makes a huge difference to those in need, but also helps people who are struggling financially and worrying about their jobs to put their problems into perspective.

Mr Davis Smith (pictured) was speaking before a seminar on the Changing Face of Volunteering for 100 charities in the Island. ‘The interesting thing about people giving a day a month is that it is great for all concerned,’ he said. ‘Companies are getting something back in terms of better motivated staff and a higher profile in the community and it is great for the individual who is learning new skills as well as volunteering.