compassion,
commitment, and community
…they’re opportunities to create meaningful change.
Our Social Impact page celebrates the inspiring ways our apprentices, employees, and partners contribute to their communities and beyond. From raising money for local charities to volunteering their time and sharing lived experiences through webinars, these stories reflect the heart of our values: compassion, commitment, and community.
Featured Webinars
Apprentices in Action
Employee Spotlights
Our Commitment
Employee Spotlights
Grace McDougall – Administrator
Comfort Cases UK - "We loved having you and the apprentices, which gave an added layer of meaning to the day. We look forward to an ongoing relationship with you and thank you for all your support." Packing with Purpose: Our Day with Comfort Cases UK Home - Comfort...
Claire Wilkins – Administrator
Skydiving for Emmaus ! Emmaus Colchester provides a home and meaningful work opportunities for up to 31 people who have experienced homelessness, social exclusion and housing insecurity. Claire took on a skydive jump of 13,000 feet to help more people re-build their...
Jemma Moorey – Administrator
Jemma volunteers at festivals to support Havering Mind, a local charity that provides support and guidance to empower those experiencing mental health difficulties, encouraging them to live a full...
Zoe Collar-Harrison – Apprenticeship Tutor
"I do little community workshops every now and again, in the evening at a local wellbeing cafe, they are usually a bit of meditation, basic craft I like to call art therapy -...
Jag Tamber – Senior Tutor (QTLS)
I started to rescue chickens in 2013 to support the welfare of these animals and just to give back to society. The hens are rescued from cages before they are slaughtered and go on to live a fulfilling life – up to 5 /7 years. We donate surplus eggs to the local...
Apprentice Spotlight
Sabir Mamon
Championing Safer Streets for All
We’re proud to spotlight Sabir Mamon, a dedicated Customer Service Specialist Apprentice with Ginger Nut Training, who is making a real difference through his role as Rider Operations Lead at Lime—the world’s largest shared electric vehicle company.
As part of his apprenticeship journey, Sabir recently took part in a powerful initiative with London Sight Loss Councils, aimed at improving urban accessibility for blind and partially sighted people. Sight Loss Councils, funded by Thomas Pocklington Trust, are regional groups led by blind and partially sighted (BPS) volunteers. Together, we use our lived experience to tackle the things that really matter to blind and partially sighted people, every day. The team at Lime joined a sim-spec walk, where they experienced firsthand the challenges faced by individuals with sight loss when navigating public spaces—especially with the growing presence of e-bikes and e-scooters.
Stephanie Puntschart
Business Administrator Level 3 Apprentice
Stephanie Puntschart is not just working through her Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship—she’s making a real difference in her community.
As a young parent with lived experience of the care system, Stephanie identified a gap in support for others like her. In her own time, she developed a heartfelt and practical proposal for a Parent & Baby Support Group aimed at young parents leaving care. She then presented her vision to local councillors, advocating for a safe, inclusive space where young parents can connect, learn, and grow.
Thanks to her initiative and determination, Stephanie has now been given the green light to launch the group. The aim is for sessions to offer everything from baby first aid and budgeting workshops to sensory play and outdoor meetups—creating a supportive environment for both parents and their children
“It is scary for anyone to become a parent at any age, but for a young care-experienced person, this could be scarier than anyone could imagine”, Stephanie shared.
Stephanie hopes this group inspires others to create change, too.
Stephanie’s story is a powerful example of how apprentices can lead with empathy, creativity, and courage. Her work is not only helping others—it’s challenging stigma and shaping a more compassionate future.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
CSR is a business model that encourages companies to operate in ways that enhance society and the environment while being accountable to their stakeholders and the public.
CSR encompasses a wide range of activities, including:
- Environmental Responsibility: Efforts to reduce pollution, recycle materials, and conserve natural resources.
- Ethical Responsibility: Ensuring fair practices, ethical sourcing, and transparency.
- Philanthropic Endeavours: Donations to charities, community engagement, and volunteer work.
- Economic Responsibility: Practices that promote financial stability and growth while considering social and environmental impacts
By integrating CSR, companies aim to create positive social and environmental impacts, fostering a culture of responsibility and accountability.
GNT Community Action Form – We’d love to hear how you’re supporting the environment, your community, or wider society. Please click the link and complete the form with details of your social action—this could include volunteering, fundraising, or any other positive contribution you’re making.
Our Commitment
New film challenges perceptions of care leavers
Essex County County made an emotive new film, ‘The Unseen,’ with our Essex Year of Opportunity campaign. It challenges employers’ perceptions of young people leaving care.
The film follows the journeys of young care leavers. It shows their experiences in the workplace and how resilient and hardworking care leavers can be.
You can watch the film on our YouTube channel here.
Leading the campaign is Councillor Tony Ball, Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability. He said: “The Essex Year of Opportunity is here to help everyone in Essex thrive. The Unseen shows how these young people can bring special qualities to our workplaces.”
Looked-after children in Essex
Essex had around 1,164 children and young people in looked-after settings in 2024. That’s expected to increase to 1,221 by this summer.
48% of children and young people requiring provision have a care order. The majority are between 10 and 15 years old.
Grace’s story
Out of all the actors in the film, one young care leaver wanted to tell her own story. Grace is an Essex-based care leaver. She benefited from a protected position at Ginger Nut, a training apprenticeship supplier.
Grace said: “It was terrifying leaving care and having to get a job, it was like being an adult before I really felt ready. But Ginger Nut offered me a scholarship and I’m now about to start an apprenticeship with them. It’s been incredible, and I’m so excited for the next couple of years!”
Jemma Moorey at Ginger Nut, said: “We have a protected position for care leavers. We promote diversity but we also want to do it. Having Grace in the office makes us more considerate to others, we now want to care for each other. It’s helped improve our business and boosted staff retention.”
What is Care Experience, why is our System broken and what can you do to help?
Twice a year, Ginger Nut raise money for Charity and encourages our learners, partners, and staff to join a cause through fundraising activities, volunteering their time and/or donations. This May we will be working with Comfort Cases UK! If you are a learner and would like to join our fundraising team please do email us at careexperienced@
Join our webinars to find out more about Care experience, voluntary opportunities that are coming up; including a Ginger Nut charity day and some charities in the sector that help.
When you have nothing, everything is important
107,317 children in the UK are currently in care
