What are companies doing with regards to 'Giving Something Back'

Kingdom was one of the first social landlords in Scotland to introduce dementia training to staff and the first organisation that operates across Fife to receive the Dementia Friendly Fife award. Working with Alzheimer Scotland and Fife Council it attained Dementia Friendly status.

Last year, the Kingdom Academy was launched. Its aim is to help staff achieve their potential. It covers four areas: "my induction", which includes buddy programmes and e-learning modules; "my development", which embraces job-shadowing and formal training programmes; "my future", which takes on board career journeys; and "our values", which spans the company's values.

The company uses "walking meetings" to encourage staff to remain active and spend time away from desks. Paid sick leave is available from day one and free private healthcare is available to those at certain grades and to others at a reduced price.

Team spirit is seen as one of the most important skills to develop. Team-building activities challenge employees to do something that is out of their comfort zone, including raft-building, a high-ropes assault course and a visit to The Cube in Manchester, which offers mental and physical challenges in the ITV game show's Perspex boxes.

Managers have access to a toolkit that helps them to have effective one-to-one meetings, set well-formed goals in their teams, share and manage expectations and give good feedback. They also have wellbeing training, so they can support staff, understand their own limitations and know when to make a referral.

MadeBrave runs team away-days, such as a trip to Copenhagen and a Find Your Brave Weekend, quarterly immersion weeks and team-building activities, along with other opportunities to mingle and have fun. This year, an external provider has been brought in to stage events to help to keep staff connected and engaged.

Salary is based on role, rather than gender. Benefits include 21 days' holiday and bonus schemes that are based on performance. The company rewards staff with a £500 bonus for making suggestions that are implemented. Throughout the year, "colleagues of the month" receive a £25 Amazon voucher.

Neuven has launched a "we are listening" platform so staff can ask questions and put forward suggestions that are responded to in real time. Managers keep in touch with staff through regular one-to-one sessions, and the company's directors and chief executive, John Simmonds, check-in with staff regularly. Feedback is encouraged during the Friday update

B Teams champion the voices of staff. B-You, which leads the cause for all things inclusivity, was launched in January. The B-Social team focuses on culture and events and the B-Well team has responsibility for wellbeing initiatives.

Monthly company updates provide the whole team with a progress report on the overall business and how it is doing financially. Project updates are also given, along with shout-outs for team member achievements and new starters are welcomed.

Talent Works has rolled out a new benefits platform which provides remote fitness and wellness activities, ranging from yoga to those for alleviating back and neck pain. The business also provides a healthcare scheme which enables employees to access therapies such as physiotherapy, osteopathy and acupuncture, funded by the business.

Staff are encouraged to have a development plan with SMART objectives. Some teams also have career pathway documents which allow employees and managers to score and track progression for those wanting to take a step up in their career.

The society uses blended learning. Its model includes online learning, bite-sized training, work-based learning, learning games, project-led activities, acting-up opportunities, secondments, involvement in staff-led initiatives, learn-and-share forums and support to obtain further qualifications.

The society has continued to work predominantly remotely, but leaders have increasingly sought opportunities to connect with people in person, while sustaining virtual opportunities. The leadership continued to work towards its ambition to engage staff with its vision through leader-led "home-team’"discussions which provide a space for staff to give feedback on a range of topics.

The office environment encourages physical wellbeing. There is discounted gym membership, plus secure bike sheds and showers on-site to encourage staff to get involved in sporting activities before during and after work hours. The Totemic running, football and walking clubs support this.

Tribe, one of the company's new magazines, celebrates good news stories such as weddings, Totemic babies and individual personal achievements. It highlights the activity in the company's charitable world and provides an informal focus on key people, revealing who they are and what makes them tick.

To promote health and wellbeing, the college offers an employee assistance programme and occupational health support. Managers have had training in resilience, there are mental health first aiders and one-to-one counselling is provided. Hybrid working helps with work-life balance.

There are twice-yearly celebration events and staff sports days. Social activities include a book club and a cycle club. Staff briefings involve all employees. There is also a biannual staff survey, as well as regular focus groups and staff newsletters. Staff can use the college's employee engagement app, Stribe, to leave feedback.

Strong internal communication is important at Beyond Marketing and 30 minutes each week is spent updating everyone on projects, client pitches, people initiatives and news, as well as keeping them in the loop with activities for the week ahead. The Culture Club organises pub nights, birthday celebrations and annual outings.

The group has enhanced maternity-leave policies. Up to five "landing days" at full pay towards the end of maternity leave are designed to help reintegrate an employee back into work and, for the first six weeks after return, its "breakfast and bedtimes" policy allows staff to arrive late and leave early.