Was 2025 the year teambuilding found its purpose?

As 2025 draws to a close, we’re looking back over a year of incredible activity, connection and meaning. Corporate teambuilding remains a cornerstone of UK business culture, but we’ve seen a real shift in how and why companies gather their people together.

More than ever, corporations are embedding purpose and social impact deep into their team days with fundraising, volunteering and CSR initiatives now standing shoulder-to-shoulder with traditional activity-based bonding exercises.

Teambuilding used to mean high-energy challenges, views of the water or wilderness, and adrenaline-fuelled cooperation. That’s still very much in our mix and, as ever, these kinds of activities remain valuable for breaking down silos, boosting morale, and giving employees a shared memory beyond spreadsheets and meeting rooms.

But this year we’ve also seen a surge in altruistic events. From charity fundraising to volunteer days, many organisations have chosen to channel their team energy into causes that matter. The motivation isn’t just team fun, it’s now also about team impact.

This matters, because corporate volunteering and CSR-led events deliver more than a feel-good day out. As many recent studies and industry reports confirm, these types of activity are linked to improved wellbeing, stronger engagement, better retention and even tangible business upside, like productivity gains and enhanced brand reputation.

There are several reasons companies (and their people) seem drawn to socially conscious team days this year and why this trend is likely to continue into 2026 and beyond.

The world feels quite unstable and complex so it’s natural for us to seek increased purpose in our lives. As humans, we love to belong, and that’s even more rewarding if we feel we’re bringing others with us. Participating in CSR activities is an authentic, meaningful way to do that.

At Team Activity Group, we delivered more events this year combining traditional team-building formats with charitable and volunteering-based approaches. Whether building toys for kids, fundraising for local causes, or offering skills-based volunteering, our clients embraced the opportunity to make a positive difference with their teams.

We’ve seen engagement levels soar. People leave these events not just feeling closer to their colleagues but more connected to a shared sense of purpose. And that makes the bonding deeper, the memory stronger, and the impact longer lasting.

In another shift towards rewarding, quality time, companies are increasingly looking for wellbeing activities, something we are also well placed to deliver.

During 2025, we deepened our partnerships with some incredible venues that support the wellbeing side of team development. From wide-open countryside estates to lakeside settings, these environments play a huge role in helping teams disconnect from the everyday and reconnect with each other.

At Dorney Lake, for instance, our Blue Health programme introduced delegates to the restorative power of water. Even in the cooler months, venues with lakeside views or access to nature-based spaces have proven perfect for reflective sessions, wellness workshops and mindful activities.

As we move into 2026, we expect this trend to continue accelerating. Businesses are increasingly held accountable, not just for profits but for their social and environmental footprint. Add to this the increasing issue of burnout affecting their key players and teambuilding takes on far more importance than just a fun day out.

It is already becoming a meaningful expression of company values: a way to bring teams together around shared purpose and make a real difference in the communities they touch.

If you’re planning your 2026 team building calendar, whether it’s a summer retreat, winter wellbeing day, or a CSR-focused event, consider mixing traditional bonding with a purpose-driven activity. The benefits are there for your people, the planet, and even your business performance, so it’s a winning approach all round.

We can’t wait to hear from you. Get in touch with us today to find out more or book!