Active Citizenship
Active Citizenship
At Next Step Apprenticeships, we are committed to fostering a culture of active citizenship by empowering our employees to make a meaningful contribution to the communities we serve. We recognise that creating positive social impact extends beyond the workplace and actively support our staff to engage in volunteering, civic participation, charitable initiatives, and community partnerships.
- Paid Volunteer Days – Employees are provided with dedicated paid volunteering leave (up to five days annually) to support local charities, community groups, schools, and voluntary organisations, enabling them to give back to causes they are passionate about.
- Support for Civic Duties – We provide flexible working arrangements and paid leave, where appropriate, for employees undertaking recognised public duties such as serving as school governors, magistrates, special constables, or participating in other civic and community leadership roles.
- Matched Giving and Payroll Giving – We support employee fundraising by matching charitable donations or volunteering efforts through company contributions wherever possible, increasing the positive impact made within our communities. We also encourage payroll giving as a simple and effective way for staff to support charitable causes throughout the year.
- Time Off to Vote – We believe that participation in democratic processes is fundamental to active citizenship. We therefore ensure employees have sufficient flexibility and time away from work to vote in local, regional, and general elections without disadvantage.
In addition to supporting our employees, Next Step Apprenticeships actively contributes to local community initiatives throughout the year. We make financial donations to local food banks to help individuals and families experiencing hardship and support seasonal fundraising campaigns. During the Christmas period, our team collects and donates gifts for children receiving treatment at the local children’s hospital, helping to bring comfort and joy to young patients and their families.
Through these commitments, Next Step Apprenticeships encourages every member of staff to become an active participant in their local community. By supporting volunteering, civic engagement, charitable giving, and democratic participation, we strengthen our social value contribution while helping build more resilient, inclusive, and connected communities.