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The Ripple Effect of RockCorps: Sally Yiallouros on Creating Lasting Impact Through Corporate Responsibility

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Sally Yiallouros is the UK Corporate Responsibility Lead at EY, overseeing volunteering and fundraising initiatives across 20,000 people. She began her career as a risk consultant at EY, but quickly realized her true passion lay in making an impact beyond her day job. From coordinating sustainability events to shaping corporate responsibility programs, Sally's journey in volunteering was sparked by a pivotal moment in 2009 when she signed up for Orange RockCorps. Here, she reflects on how that experience laid the foundation for her current role and shares insights into the importance of giving back.

 

What inspired you to sign up for Orange RockCorps back in 2009?


My friends and I were at university, ready to head into the working world, and we knew that volunteering would look good on our CVs. Back then, the idea of volunteering seemed like something you did abroad, like working with endangered animals in a far-flung corner of the globe, and we didn’t have access to that. Orange RockCorps came at the perfect time and was my very first experience with volunteering. The concept of giving a few hours of your time to earn a gig ticket was a win-win. It made volunteering accessible to us - students who wouldn’t have been able to afford concert tickets otherwise.

 

Tell us a bit about the project you were part of


We went to a playground in Hackney to help spruce it up. There was a lot of wooden equipment that needed fixing and painting, and we did a general cleanup of the site. I have a picture from that day with just a few of us, but there was a huge turnout. It was one of the bigger projects that year, and it felt like we were part of something significant. One of the girls I volunteered with is still one of my best friends to this day!




 

What was the highlight of that volunteering event?


The whole vibe was fantastic. RockCorps set everything up to feel like a fun event, with Orange-branded gazebos, a DJ, and your own RockCorps t-shirt. We were all having fun while giving back, and that atmosphere really made the experience. For many of us, it was our first taste of volunteering, and the fact that it was so enjoyable made us want to do it again. That’s exactly what RockCorps was aiming for—to inspire a continued commitment to volunteering.

 

How did this experience change how you felt about volunteering?


I was definitely more open to volunteering after that. My friends and I signed up for Orange RockCorps again in 2010. Although I didn’t actively seek out other volunteering opportunities right away, I was far more receptive to them.

 

Tell me about your experience at the Orange RockCorps concert


It’s not every day you get an invite to the Royal Albert Hall. There’s no way I could have afforded a ticket, especially to see acts like David Guetta, Nelly and Chase and Status - all on one night! The concert was a collective celebration—we were all there because we’d given our time. It made a huge impact on me.



How did your experience with Orange RockCorps impact your career?


RockCorps was a pivotal moment—it helped me flex my volunteering muscle, and because it was fun, I wanted to keep doing it. In my first year at EY, I immediately started jumping into opportunities to give back. I helped run our sustainability day and encouraged others to get involved. Over the years, my involvement in volunteering just kept growing. Eventually, I transitioned to my current role as the UK Corporate Responsibility Lead at EY where I look after all of our volunteering and fundraising initiatives. We work with a whole range of different charities and organisations across the UK, including EY’s own independent charity – the EY Foundation.

 

So now you're inspiring and motivating 20,000 people to volunteer. How does that feel, and what challenges come with it?


There’s definitely interest in volunteering—people want to give back. The challenge is often time—ensuring that people feel equipped and able to take part in volunteering while balancing their jobs. It’s a constant balancing act, but it’s my role to ensure that volunteering opportunities are available and accessible to everyone, and are prioritised within the culture of our firm.

 

Has it been more challenging for different levels of seniority within the company?


We make sure to introduce corporate responsibility as soon as people join EY, often during their onboarding. Some people even apply for their job because they’re drawn to the work we do in this space. It’s about ensuring that everyone, no matter their role, understands that our programs go beyond token gestures—they’re deeply impactful.

 

Do you run ongoing opportunities, or are there specific events?


We have both. For example, we recently ran EY Giving Week, where we held initiatives from

litter-picking in parks across the UK to native oyster restoration on the Scottish coast. Throughout the year, there are individual opportunities, such as coaching social enterprises or running employability workshops. We want to match everyone’s interests, and if nothing clicks, we encourage them to volunteer within their own communities. With a volunteering allowance of two days per year in place, there’s no excuse not to get involved.

 

Where do you see yourself in the next 5–10 years?


I see myself continuing in this space at EY, bringing our clients along on the volunteering journey. As a large UK firm with over 20,000 people and 22 offices across the UK, we have a responsibility to give back, and I want to continue reframing how we do that. Our EY Ripples program is a great example—it’s not just traditional volunteering but aligning the skills we have with opportunities to make an impact.




How does RockCorps benefit society / brands?


RockCorps opens doors to people who might not normally volunteer. Social mobility is key here. Statistics show that people from lower socio-economic backgrounds are less likely to volunteer, and RockCorps helps bridge that gap, building stronger communities in the process. On the other side, it helps brands achieve their social impact goals while engaging both their clients and customers. RockCorps combines social engagement with wellbeing —something businesses often struggle with.

 

Any final thoughts?


It’s been great to reflect on my journey, which had a bit of a squiggly start! I have to credit RockCorps for getting me onto the volunteering ladder and kickstarting a career where I can make a difference and inspire others to do the same.

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