Next Stage's mission is to care for and provide support to vulnerable children, young people and adults within the community.

Based in Bolton, Lancashire, it aims to inspire people. "We earn their trust, we build them up and we help them accept life's challenges,” it says. Next Stage believes in the power of positive inspiration and the effect that it can have on a person's life.

The power of positive inspiration is used to reward staff, too. Its "make someone smile" initiative is a poster with a range of comments or compliments that employees can tear off and pass to a co-worker, anonymously or in person.

Next Stage, which was established in 2002, engages with local communities and bolsters individuals' learning and growth within a safe, supportive working environment. Its employees can access a wide range of benefits in line with the firm's belief that in order to provide the best possible care for its service users, it needs to look after staff by offering a market-leading package.

These include childcare vouchers, an employee-assistance programme, a cycle-to-work scheme and discounts on gym membership and cinema tickets. Health and social care qualifications are available via an accredited college and, for one day a year, Next Stage pays for staff to support a charity.

Concerns can be raised at employee forums. One of the organisation's initiatives is its quarterly Investment Week, when staff focus on a particular value and complete activities associated with it.