Lucy and Beau are Spreading Joy via Aviva’s Volunteering Policy

At Aviva, our purpose is "to be with you today, for a better tomorrow." While that often applies to our customers, it applies equally to the communities where our people live and work.

One of the most impactful ways we bring this purpose to life is through our 21 hours of paid volunteering leave offered to every colleague annually (pro rata’d for part time colleagues). For Lucy, this isn’t just time away from her desk, it’s an opportunity to provide a different kind of care alongside her dog, Beau.

A Tail-Wagging Connection

Lucy uses her volunteering hours to partner with Pets As Therapy, a charity that brings the therapeutic benefits of animals to those in need. Once a month, Lucy and Beau visit the patients and staff at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.

In a high-pressure care environment, the arrival of a friendly face (and a wagging tail) can transform the atmosphere. These visits provide a vital mental health boost, offering patients a moment of comfort and a distraction from the challenges of treatment. For Lucy, Aviva’s support means she doesn't have to choose between her career and her passion for community service.

The joy doesn’t stop at the hospital door. Three times a year Pets As Therapy teams come into the Aviva Norwich office to provide wellbeing sessions for our colleagues. This means we also get to experience the joy of these lovely therapy dogs.

21 Hours to Make a Difference

What could you do with 21 hours? We encourage our colleagues to ask themselves that very question. Our volunteering policy is designed to be flexible, allowing our people to support causes that resonate with them personally.

Beyond therapy dog visits, our teams are making an impact across the country through:

• Environmental Action: Taking meaningful action to protect and restore nature through support for local conservation initiatives
• Financial Inclusion & Resilience: Offering our time and skills through our partnerships with Citizens Advice and local organisations to strengthen our communities
• Fundraising: Championing and supporting our people to fundraise for the causes they care about

“At Aviva, supporting colleagues to give back in the ways that matter most to them is incredibly important to us. Lucy’s commitment, and the joy she and Beau bring to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, is a wonderful example of how our people use their passions and talents to make a meaningful difference in their communities” Helen - Community & Charity Manager

 Support That Goes Further

We believe in backing our people’s passion with more than just time. To amplify the impact of our colleagues’ hard work, Aviva offers:

•  Matched Funding: When our colleagues raise money for registered charities, we offer matched funding (up to a certain limit) to double the impact.
• Communities Fund: A platform that helps local charities and non-profits gain the funding they need to thrive, often championed by our own colleagues.

Why We Do It

Volunteering isn’t just "nice to have"; it’s a core part of being an Aviva colleague. It fosters empathy, builds new skills, strengthens our connection to the world around us and makes us better and brighter together. Whether it’s a hospital visit with a furry friend or a day spent restoring a local park, we’re committed to giving our people the time and resources to make a real difference.

Are you looking for a career where your contribution to the community is valued as much as your work in the office?