Staff at the Co-operative are to offer up to a million hours of voluntary work under a "community taskforce" scheme launched by the group.
Activities will range from decorating homeless shelters and garden maintenance to supporting charities and helping out in schools.
Up to 100,000 Co-operative employees will take two days off a year to join the volunteering scheme.
Michael Fairclough, the Co-operative's head of community and co-operative investment, said: "This is an exciting development that will have a real impact, not only on individuals and communities but also on local economies and community-led regeneration.
"The development of the scheme is also driven by employees who benefit from enhanced communication and team skills whilst supporting their wider community.
"We have a proven track record in taking a long-term approach with social responsibility and ethics at the heart of our business. The programme forms part of our Ethical Plan, which sets a new benchmark for corporate sustainable development in the UK."
