Springtime is breeding season for frogs and toads, when they return to the body of water they were spawned so they can mate and lay eggs. Unfortunately, getting back can be difficult, but thankfully the team at Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve were on hand recently to help out.

Our employees have raised thousands of pounds this quarter for dozens of charities, both locally and nationally. From food bank drives and toy appeals to animal shelter appeals, raffles and bake sales; there’s been so much to celebrate and get involved with here at NATS.

We are always looking for ways to contribute positively to the areas where we live and work and to help build strong, sustainable communities. It’s important to us not only as a responsible business, but to the many NATS employees who are actively involved in supporting charities, good causes, or groups in our local communities. Here’s a update on what we’ve been doing to give back this quarter.

To mark this year’s Volunteers’ Week, we shine a light on some of our employees who volunteer in their spare time and find out why it’s important to them.

We were delighted to support the GMR Varalakshmi Foundation (GMRVF) again this year, through a project that seeks to support entrepreneurs in New Delhi to become financially independent. We contributed another 25 pushcarts to the initiative to support local business, and were honoured to hear the success stories of those who benefitted from our funding last year.

Sustainability is something close to my heart, made all the more prominent thanks to my experience with the topic, having previously studied for my PhD in Marine Biology. I’ve always felt strongly about wanting to preserve and protect the world in which we live, and how seemingly small changes can lead to a larger result.

Students from Dorset and Hampshire schools recently visited the NATS air traffic control centre in Swanwick as part of a charitable initiative to inspire young people through a passion for aviation. The visits are part of NATS’ partnership with the Jon Egging Trust (JET).

What started as an idea to support local families through the school holidays has become a regular thing here at Manchester. With the cost-of-living crisis forcing some households to choose whether to eat or heat, it got us talking. We knew we wanted to help.

As part of our commitment to the community, NATS works in partnership with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT) to manage the nature reserve adjacent to our Swanwick Centre. This June marks the 20th anniversary of the reserve and we’ve been celebrating!