The feel-good factor: How HR professionals are pivotal to driving change in the workplace
At this year’s ACE conference, the CIPD Trust hosted the inspiring panel session: “The Feel-good factor – why giving back boosts you and your business.” Led by Sally Eley, Head of the CIPD Trust, the session explored how people professionals can use their skills to create real, lasting change both in their organisations and across society.
We know that when people professionals give back, the impact flows both ways,” said Sally. “Our latest data shows that 68% of mentors make positive changes as a result of their experience and over half say it increases their pride in the HR profession. That’s what being a changemaker is all about.”
The power of giving back
Joining Sally on stage were three inspiring panellists who embody what it means to be a changemaker: Emma Jayne, Chief People Officer at KYN; Idris Arshad, Head of People at Asthma and Lung UK; and Jemma Falloon, People Experience professional at Mondelez International.
Emma, who has more than 30 years’ experience in people and culture roles across hospitality and care sectors, described how volunteering through the CIPD Trust has changed both her perspective and practice.
“Businesses that support volunteering get so much more than just a CSR tick,” she said. “People want to do meaningful work, and mentoring is an incredible way to do that. It’s helped me become a better listener and coach and organisations retains great employees because they feel valued and developed.”
Emma shared her experience of mentoring someone from an ethnically diverse background and how open, honest dialogue expanded her understanding of inclusion.
“I was nervous about saying the wrong thing,” she admitted. “But we talked about it, and that conversation taught me more about diversity than any course could. It’s about listening, not assuming.”
That mentoring relationship went full circle when Emma invited her mentee to speak to her own company’s EDI committee: an example of reverse mentoring that brought further benefit back to the workplace.
Part of the DNA of human resources
For Idris, being a changemaker is part of the DNA of great HR. “We all do a bit of ‘above and beyond” he said.
But it’s about putting purpose into that. Every organisation should have a framework for volunteering; something that sits across the employee lifecycle.”
As both a graduate of the Trust’s Aspiring HRD programme and a mentor on the Future People Leaders initiative, Idris believes that structured opportunities to give back bring perspective and balance to HR professionals. He said,
Mentoring is an antidote and a leveller, it reminds you why you came into this profession in the first place.”
Beyond comfort zones
For Jemma Falloon, volunteering has been life-changing. The night before she first delivered mock interviews in a prison, she barely slept from nerves. But what followed was one of the most rewarding experiences of her career.
It’s changed me beyond what I could have imagined,” Jemma shared. “These are people who want to better themselves, who want another chance. My job is to help them tell their story and show their skills in a way that gets them a job.”
Of the 15 people Jemma has supported, 14 have gone on to find employment after release; a statistic that speaks volumes about the power of practical HR skills in changing lives.
“Some of them had never had an interview before,” she explained. “We practised, made mistakes together and built confidence. It’s made me a better people person and a better professional.”
Embedding volunteering in business
A question from the audience asked what stops more organisations from enabling volunteering. The panel agreed it often comes down to priorities but argued the benefits far outweigh the challenges.
“When employees volunteer, engagement and wellbeing go up,” said Emma. “Retention improves. And customers increasingly want to work with organisations that are seen to give back. It’s a business win.”
The key, according to Idris, is authenticity.
“Find the right opportunities for your people,” he said. “HR’s role is to make sure volunteering aligns with purpose and personality.”
Sally added that HR professionals are the lynchpin in making this happen.
“You’re in a unique position to start the conversation, build frameworks and advocate for giving back as part of your organisational culture.”
Key takeaways from the panel
Each panelist closed the session by sharing one piece of advice for would-be changemakers:
- Idris: “Find out more and decide what you can give. Everyone has something.”
- Emma: “You don’t know what impact you can have until you do it.”
- Jemma: “Step out of your comfort zone. It might just be the best thing you ever do.”
The ripple effect of purpose
The session was a powerful reminder that change doesn’t always start with grand strategies, it begins with people. Through mentoring, volunteering and opening doors for others, HR professionals have the power to reshape lives and workplaces alike.
As Sally summarised:
When people professionals give their time, skills and compassion, they’re not just changing someone else’s story, they’re changing their own. That’s the true feel-good factor.”
If you’d like to become a CIPD Trust Changemaker, explore mentoring or volunteering opportunities and discover how you can make a difference – we’d love to hear from you.
New impact report
Our latest Impact Report was unveiled at ACE! 📊✨
The CIPD Trust Impact Report 2024–25 showcases how we’re delivering against our Impact Framework by diversifying the profession, improving access to and progression in work, and harnessing the power of our network.
It’s a powerful reflection of how people professionals are transforming workplaces, communities and lives.
