FIFTY YEARS OLD this year, Hansel is pulling out all the stops to celebrate half a century of helping people with learning disabilities. As well as planning a fun run and golf day near its base in Ayr, the charity is looking forward to opening Our Space, a new community facility offering specialist support and horticultural therapy, arts, crafts, music and dance. Hansel provides services to more than 600 people in Ayrshire, including those with learning disability-related dementia, in the form of residential accommodation and supported living, short breaks, respite care and employment for young adults. Its 367 employees are in no doubt that it makes a difference in the world (78% positive, in 10th place among mid-sized not-for-profit organisations). The charity was founded in 1963 by Isobel and Tom Murdoch, whose daughter, Lindy, had Down's Syndrome. They set up Hansel Village, an integrated community that provided care, education, leisure and sheltered employment. Since then the charity has adapted to the changing needs of its clients, many of whom prefer to live in their own homes. It has reduced the number of residential places but increased the number of community-based services it offers. Hansel tries to accommodate flexible-working requests and between 25% and 50% of the workforce have amended shift patterns to look after children or to study. Staff are not bored at work (75%, in 12th place) and believe they make a valuable contribution to the success of the organisation (81%). Opportunities for training and development include job shadowing, financial support for work-related qualifications and time off to study. Employees take a week-long induction course when they join Hansel and a refresher course every three years, in order to reflect on their job and share good practice. Staff feel that their jobs are good for their personal growth and believe their managers ensure they have the necessary resources to do their work (both scoring 73%).