One Day for Change (ODfC) is dentsu’s annual event that unites teams around the world as a force for good. Each year, markets participate by organising team events near our offices, many supporting local non-profits. 

This initiative supports our 2030 Sustainability Strategy: Generating ideas for the future to solve challenges facing society. 

Employees are encouraged to take part in ODfC to learn, support their wellbeing, give back to their communities, get out in nature and connect with colleagues in a meaningful way. In 2026, our activities will focus on the following four themes:

• How we live with nature

• How we use things

• How we eat

• How we support each other

For more information, see the ODfC Hub on dentsu dot.

1 May – 27 June in the UK. Please note this is later than the EMEA timeframe.

All employees based in the UK can take part, regardless of market or reporting line.

To participate with your team / as a group:

Firstly, speak to your team to decide your preferred date(s) (UK campaign period is between 1 May and 27 June), how many people would like to participate, and then nominate an ‘Activity Coordinator’ who will have the responsibilities listed below.

Next, have your Activity Coordinator complete the Registration Form with your preferences. Your local champion or the UK Sustainability Team will be in touch to help the Activity Coordinator arrange an activity. 

To participate individually:

If you would prefer to join an activity with other colleagues in your region, or participate individually, please complete the Registration Form and we will assign you an activity that best matches your preferences.

• 3 to 6 weeks before event: Complete the OnHand form from your location page. OnHand will then work with you and the  relevant charity to plan the activity and communicate this information to your team.

• 2 weeks before event: Finalise participant numbers with the OnHand team, so they can confirm with the charity.

• 1 week before event: The OnHand team will send an email to the Activity Coordinator to confirm the final event participants. They will also send an email in the thread with the charity to confirm all is OK ahead of the event.

• After the event: Complete the Activity Report Form and encourage all participants to complete their individual Employee Feedback Form. The OnHand team will send a feedback email to attendees, the Activity Coordinator at dentsu and the team leader at the charity after the event.

*Please note: if you want to participate as an individual, complete the Registration Form and we will be in touch to assign you with an Activity Coordinator.

Meet our new One Day for Change partner OnHand – who is organising all volunteering opportunities alongside the UK Sustainability team. 

OnHand will work with the UK Sustainability team, local champions (see below) and Activity Coordinators on the logistics and support for your activity.

As a UK-based dentsu employee, you will get access to the OnHand platform and app, where you will be able to take part in micro volunteering – opportunities which can take less than an hour to fit around your day-to-day schedule – outside of One Day for Change, create or join a sustainability team in your region, and accrue points for doing good in your community.

Edinburgh: Peter Kearney

Leeds: Elizabeth Dyra

London: UK Sustainability Team

Newcastle: Anne King

Manchester: Keith Glassey; Wezley Hilton

Staffordshire: Chloe Gibley; Matthew Higgins

Market Coordinator: Jolyon Dean

One of the aims of One Day for Change is to get colleagues together as a group to connect on meaningful social and/or environmental projects. It is also an opportunity to socialise outside of work. 

However, we know it’s not always easy or possible for everyone to get together in a group setting, so there will be opportunities to volunteer individually too.

While we encourage everyone to get out into local communities in person and as a group, we understand that this isn’t possible for everyone.

Accordingly, some opportunities may be made available for those who would prefer to take part in a virtual setting. You can select this preference on OnHand remote opportunities page.

Most activities will either be a half day* or a full day. We have tried to provide flexibility around work commitments and allow larger groups to take part across two sessions on the same day.

*Please note that volunteer leave can only be taken in full-day increments in Workday.

As the Activity Coordinator, please complete the OnHand form based on your location and indicate your group size. OnHand will be in touch to help you arrange your activity.

Please note that opportunities for very large groups (over 40 people) will be limited, but we will work with you to find solutions.

We’ve worked hard to provide choice and flexibility across every region, with a range of indoor and outdoor activities, half-day and full-day options, small and large group formats, and additional opportunities to join virtually.

Please view your location page to see the opportunities and fill out the OnHand form. OnHand will work with you to organise your volunteering day.

You are entitled to two volunteering days per year to support a charity of your choice. This time away from work must be agreed in advance with your line manager and recorded as a ‘Volunteer Day’ in Workday. 

You will receive your normal basic pay for these volunteer days. Time in lieu cannot be taken if you volunteer on a non-working day. If you want to volunteer for more than two days, you must ask your line manager for unpaid leave, annual leave, or a career break.

We can only fund one place per employee for One Day for Change, but there will be further opportunities to take part in volunteering via the OnHand platform and app throughout the year. Stay tuned for details of how this will work!

Dropping out of a charity event, especially at short notice, can have a significant impact on the charity – some may be relying on your support to achieve their goals.

If you are unable to attend your planned activity, please notify your Activity Coordinator as soon as possible and work with them to find a replacement participant no later than 2 weeks before your event.

While we would love all UK-based dentsu colleagues to participate in One Day for Change, taking part typically bears a cost to help charities host participants. This means spaces are limited and based on a first-come, first-served basis. If spots are oversubscribed, we can provide advice for teams on how to self-organise.

If you're interested in supporting elderly or isolated individuals in your local area, an enhanced DBS check will be required. This is a straightforward process that can be arranged in advance. Please note that, due to the nature of these checks, One Day for Change activities will not include in-person work with children.

One Day for Change activities should be booked centrally. Please complete the OnHand form and identify your preferences.

If we’re unable to find a suitable activity for you or your team, you’re welcome to organise your own. However, this will need to be funded via your departmental cost centre, align with one of the four One Day for Change themes listed above, and have the appropriate insurance in place. You’ll also be responsible for completing the post-event activity reporting.

Our new One Day for Change partner, OnHand, has been given a comprehensive brief based on employee feedback from last year’s campaign. This has driven the opportunities provided. While some of these charities have been partners in previous years, many are new and have been chosen to ensure you have a great experience! 

We therefore ask that you prioritise the volunteering options provided. However, feel free to share any specific charity preferences in theOnHand form

Please contact your regional champions with any questions:

Edinburgh: Peter.Kearney@merkle.com

Leeds: Elizabeth.Dyra@dentsu.com

London: Sustainability.uk-i@dentsu.com

Newcastle: Anne.King@dentsu.com

Manchester: Keith.Glassey@dentsu.com; Wezley.Hilton@dentsu.com

Staffordshire: Chloe.Gibley@dentsu.com; Matthew.Higgins@dentsu.com

Market Coordinator: Jolyon.Dean@dentsu.com