Housing and care company Mears Group works with some of the most vulnerable people in society, so it's no surprise that it has a keen sense of social responsibility – giving back to the communities in which it operates.

The Gloucester-based company provides a range of specialist housing services to local and central government, including managing and maintaining the homes of armed forces personnel and providing accommodation for asylum seekers.

At Mears Group, every employee gets volunteering leave and staff over Grade 5 have a target of committing to three social value projects a year, whether completing a major charity event or committing to doing good closer to home, such as digging a new garden for a resident.

This has contributed to the company delivering more than 1400 social value projects, with an impact worth almost £30m.

Every employee is encouraged to live by the 'Mears Red Thread Values', with being 'empowering, customer-focused, role models’ and committing to ‘high standards' central to the appraisal and rewards process.

Staff are encouraged to use the internal comms platform to nominate individuals, managers and teams who've gone the extra mile in demonstrating the values. The Exec Board chooses the winners every week, with cash credited to their reward accounts.

Mears Group employees also benefit from competitive salaries, a generous leave allowance – including the opportunity to purchase five additional days a year, and annual fun days for all the family, such as at big-name theme parks.