However busy Cabot's people are, in whatever role they have they actively provide opportunities for employees to take a break from their work and do something positive that will enhance their overall wellbeing. ‘Know your Numbers', is a free service for employees who go along and have their BMI, cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors assessed. They receive personal, confidential feedback and advice on their numbers and information on lifestyle changes that may help to improve their health. We receive great employee feedback from people who have already taken active steps to improve their health and wellbeing based on the advice they received during their sessions. “My weight has been an "issue" for over a decade.........I have now finally changed my eating habits in a sustainable way and increased my activity levels - already lost half a stone and feel so much better!” This year, the Company has also offered free on site back and neck energising massages and a 6 week stop smoking clinic during working hours which have also made a positive difference to many of Cabot's employees wellbeing as illustrated by the following quotes: “Personally, I can categorically say that I would not have quit smoking if had not gone to the Stop Smoking Clinic, so thank you.” “The Well Being Massage is a pleasant experience that leaves me in a positive mood. I find it very therapeutic and relaxing hence helping to concentrate better on my daily tasks”

Sponsoring beehives is among the more unusual environmental initiatives at Brookwood. The company has a Planet Matters Team of people who discuss and implement new initiatives, running vegetable and herb plots, using local suppliers, fairly traded products and refillable water bottles. There's a Waste Less programme to reduce and monitor food wastage and last year the firm had a Planet Matters Day. Every single one of its catering operations in schools – all 96 of them – took part, planning a day to raise awareness that the planet matters to it, its schools, and pupils who eat in its restaurants. They helped pupils grow herbs and vegetables for the kitchens, and encouraged them to reduce food waste and drink tap water in reusable, not plastic bottles. People say it genuinely cares about the environment. More than a third of employees got involved with charitable activities in work time last year, and the firm supports the charities Build Africa, Magic Breakfast and Springboard. It encourages people to do their bit.

Brookwood offers term time only contracts to a high proportion of employees, and this ensures they have a good work/life balance, particularly helping parents work. People say it really does help them find the right balance and stops the job interfering with responsibilities at home. Managers get private health care, and senior managers also have psychiatric cover to mitigate the risk of stress. People don't feel their health is suffering because of work or believe they are under too much pressure to perform well. It probably helps that there's a defined school dinner time, because employees say work deadlines are realistic too.

Managers ensure each staff member has an accurate up to date personal development plan and monitor this on a regular basis. Have regular support and supervision structures with each staff member individually at least every six weeks. Proactively respond to queries from staff.

The leader of BRE his highly visible, he takes time to get to know his employees. His messages are consistent on the strategy and direction for the organisation and he builds upon their successes. The Senior Management team have brought together the different parts of the business and the directors and their staff now work across business areas.

Boston College are an effective and innovative community leader in advancing equality, diversity and inclusion. They regularly hold and attend meetings and participate with a range of statutory, community and voluntary organisations to help improve social cohesion within their increasingly diverse town. Through their business networks and strong links with local employers, they have been able to extend their influence to the workplace. Their ‘Employers Open for Business' project worked with ten employers of varying size and scale to help them avoid the legal pitfalls and realise the business and social gains that can be had from taking a pro-active approach to equality and diversity. In total the employers, which included a national construction company, residential care home and hair salon, received 60 hours of free training and consultancy support tailored to meet their individual needs, benefitting over 100 employees many of them apprentices and work-based learners. Boston College also took 60 delegates to the Holocaust Centre, Newark for a 1-day thought provoking educational programme on the dangers when prejudice, discrimination and intolerance go unchecked in society. The project has been showcased at three national dissemination events across the country. A film of the project has been widely disseminated, together with a good practice guide to equality and diversity in the workplace. Their work in advancing equality, diversity and inclusion continues and has been sustained through their employer contacts and business network meetings that they regularly host and deliver, as well as more directly through work with their learners and other stakeholders.

Managers have been provided with training to the extent that over 50% of middle ranking managers have attended at least a level 5 qualification management course. This equips managers with the skills to optimise staff workloads within achievable levels and understand recognition and reward for their staff. The guidance of the management framework encourages managers to recognise and value their staff. This is reinforced through regular meetings, coaching and mentoring and team meetings. The staff survey showed a 6 point increase to the question 'My line manager makes me feel valued' to 70% and a 5 point increase to the question 'Often thanked by my line manager for my efforts' to 67%.

Biggin Hills sponsor the Bromley and Blackheath Harriers athletic club. They give an annual financial contribution to the local residents' association. A range of events are hosted throughout the year which are of interest to their staff and the local community and, in some cases, are designed to raise money for charity. Recent events have been: October 2013 Heritage Hangar Open Day September 2013, Sit in a Spit - Spitfire experience, August 2013 Musical Salute to the Few. The MD is invited as a key local member of the Biggin Hill community to switch on the Christmas lights.

There is a really open culture here at Berry Bros & Rudd, and their leadership team are accessible and keen to engage with their employees.

Through Bedfordia's Striving for Excellence, performance and development framework, learning and development is discussed on a regular basis - minimum quarterly and an individual training plan is agreed. This can include on the job training, coaching, job shadowing through to external training courses on specific topics and funding to complete a professional qualification. One of Bedfordia's key values is Striving for Excellence, which encompasses always striving to achieve their best in whatever they do - they could not achieve this without a real focus on developing their people.

With the introduction of Beyond Zero, all employees have the confidence that what they say matters. This is one of the unique aspects of working for BAM Nuttall. To actively encourage feedback from staff, they went out to everyone with the Beyond Zero workshops and encouraged people to come forward at a personal level. Any personal discussions, positive or negative, were undertaken confidentially so their personnel could speak freely. There are many ways in which they gather feedback from their staff from the dedicated Beyond Zero email address to just talking to people. The most effective is the Safety and Environment observation cards. All sites, offices and depots are provided with cards. Everyone is encouraged to record observations, anonymously if they wish, to report issues and near misses or simply to share good practice. They can be health and safety issues, environmental issues or any other event worthy of being brought to other people's attention. People can record details of any action they have taken in situations, to share their ideas and to prompt discussion or action at management level. All our staff are regularly reminded of the importance of giving feedback. At the end of 2012, BAM Nuttall held a successful awards ceremony, available to everyone across the country via their intranet, celebrating what was best about Beyond Zero. It was a simple way of demonstrating how Beyond Zero can make a difference on site, in the office and most importantly, for the well-being of each of their employees.

B P Collins places considerable importance on building and strengthening their relationships with their local community and each year they donate to and support a number of national and local charitable organisations and activity based events as part of their charitable giving programme.