By Professor Dr. Parin Somani is founder and CEO of London Organisation of Skills Development [LOSD]
The festive season is in full swing, and amongst the presents, celebrations and food, it’s time to consider how to give back. So many of us get caught up in the festivities that we can lose sight of those who need support at this time of year.
Corporate social responsibility, or CSR, is more important than ever for businesses, particularly for those wanting to make a difference in the world that goes beyond profit. It’s all about demonstrating your company values, your commitment to the community, and your dedication to helping those causes that need a boost.
Professor Dr. Parin Somani is a globally respected academician, humanitarian, and transformational leader whose life’s mission is rooted in giving back to society. She believes that dedicating time, knowledge, and resources creates meaningful change and fuels personal growth on the ladder of success. An examiner and Postdoctoral supervisor at Malaysian universities, she also serves as Managing Editor of the Global Research Journal. A former Mrs Universe International titleholder and CEO of the London Organisation of Skills Development (LOSD), she has dedicated her career to advancing education, women’s empowerment, and youth development through social impact initiatives, training programmes, and international academic conferences.
Here’s why she believes businesses need to embrace the gift of giving back this Christmas.
It’s the right thing to do
Put simply, giving back to charity is the right thing to do. If you have the means to do so and are turning a profit, your business should consider working with a charity this festive season.
There are around 171,000 registered charities in the UK, so there are plenty to choose from when considering where to pledge your support.
And working with a charity doesn’t just have to mean donating funds – you can donate your time too. Why not take your team to volunteer at a soup kitchen, or spend some time with residents at a local care home? It’s a small sacrifice to make for the difference it could make to someone’s Christmas.
There are health benefits
Giving back doesn’t just help those in need, there are proven health benefits too.
The NHS recommends volunteering in particular for its positive effects on both psychological wellbeing and physical health, including increased self-confidence, a sense of purpose, enhanced social skills, and creating a more positive outlook on life.
Given so many of us are feeling the effects of workplace stress – the Burnout Report 2025 revealed 74 per cent of UK workers have reported significant levels of burnout – there’s no better time to step away from the office and focus on the bigger picture.
It can help with recruitment
Research from Co-operatives UK reveals that as many as 61 per cent of Gen Z workers view their employers’ values, such as green credentials and social responsibility, as being as important as their salary.
More than four in ten have even considered quitting their job if their company doesn’t display strong values or social purpose.
People want to work for a company that aligns with their own values and is committed to making a difference. This needs to be more than a box-ticking exercise, and should be integrated into your business operations from day one.
Working with charities gives you an opportunity to develop a meaningful shared purpose and to build stronger connections to the community and with each other. It’s a win-win.
Final thoughts
Christmas is a time for giving, but this can sometimes be forgotten in the chaos of the festive season.
There are countless reasons why businesses should consider working with charities and giving back this Christmas, but at the heart of it all is that it’s simply the right thing to do.
