Our 2024/25 Community Report: A Year of Impact and Giving at NATS

In the last financial year, our commitment to giving back has remained a focal point; from supporting local communities to championing charitable causes, and empowering future generations through workplace opportunities, we’ve dedicated a significant amount of time, resources, and above all, passion, to making a difference. 

Our support for charities and communities has shown the power of our people, and we’re proud to have donated over £550,000 in 2024/25. This support has taken shape in a variety of ways, from payroll giving and corporate partnerships, to STEM projects, individual charitable activity and our internal financial grant scheme – the Community Fund. 

We were delighted to be awarded the Platinum accreditation mark from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), which our payroll giving scheme (Give As You Earn) is part of. The accreditation is a government-backed quality mark which is assessed according to an organisation’s size, number of donors, promotional activity and facilitation of on-site events. 

Our links with corporate charity partners Aerobility and the Jon Egging Trust (JET) have grown even stronger. We have supported them through mentoring, career workshops, skills-sharing, financial contributions, and fundraising events. 

We began our re-launch of a site-based charity initiative, inviting colleagues from all NATS sites to nominate a local charity to pledge commitment to for two to three-year period. Our three largest centres have embarked on this already, with our international offices, airports and other sites coming on board in the 2025/26 financial year. 

The Community Fund continued to grow as well. The fund welcomes applications from NATS employees who are either personally involved with charities and community groups outside of work, or who are fundraising for charity. During the past financial year, we approved 138 requests for 114 causes, awarding £120,000. 

We’ve also seen a huge amount of fundraising and collections taking place across the offices, with food bank collections and toy appeals, animal shelter drop-offs, head shaving and bake sales. 

Our colleagues are absolutely fantastic at helping others and giving back, and everyone should be very proud of the direct impact these efforts have had in their local communities and with the charities we have worked with.

Recognising those who give back

The first week in June marks Volunteers’ Week 2025, a UK-wide campaign celebrating the contribution of those who help others. The week acts as an opportunity to showcase the range of contributions available and the huge difference people can make in their community. Here we shine the light on some of our employees who volunteer in their spare time and hear about why they feel it’s important to give back…

“Since last August, I have been volunteering each week at Waggy Tails Rescue. I spend most of my time caring for the dogs and taking them for walks. It is incredibly rewarding to see their confidence grow and, ultimately, to watch them find their forever homes. 

“More recently, I secured funding for Waggy Tails through our internal funding scheme, the NATS Community Fund, which helped to rebuild a garden canopy that had been damaged during one of the winter storms. Volunteering here has been a truly fulfilling way to give back to my local community while spending time with happy, four-legged friends.” – Kayleigh, Waggy Tails Rescue 

“The Broadway is an old 1,000-seat cinema in the heart of Prestwick Main Street. Built in 1935, it celebrates its 90th birthday this year. It stopped showing films in 1976 and later closed completely and fell into disrepair. 

“Some years ago, my wife and I joined Friends of the Broadway Prestwick, a local group working to restore the former Broadway Cinema as a multi-use venue and community hub. Thankfully, the Friends secured a grant to buy the building and now own it. In 2023, they sought volunteers for activities like pop-up film screenings at Prestwick Academy, so I signed up. I would dearly love to see the Broadway Cinema open its doors once again and I’d like to play a little part in the realisation of the Friends’ ambition. Additionally, volunteering is also a good way to meet like-minded people and make new friends.” – Alistair, Friends of the Broadway Prestwick 

“Volunteering for Staffie and Stray Rescue is something I care deeply about. I’ve been involved in many areas of the charity, from providing behavioural guidance to help the dogs, and applying for grants, to attending fundraising events and helping with admin tasks like registering for Gift Aid. At the heart of it all is the dogs. Meeting them, understanding their needs, and being part of their journey is what makes it all worthwhile. 

“One dog who left a lasting impression on me is Reggie, a nervous Staffie who had clearly been through a lot. He was anxious and unsure at first, but with time, patience, and gentle encouragement, I watched him slowly begin to trust again. Seeing that transformation was incredibly moving and of course seeing him find his forever home even more so. It reminded me why I do this: because every dog like Reggie deserves help to find a safe and happy life, and I’m proud to be part of a team that helps make that happen.” – Nicky, Staffie and Stray Rescue 

“Giving back to the community has always mattered to me, and volunteering with Acorn Adventures is one way I can make a real difference. Acorn is a holistic, nature-based, Steiner-inspired outdoor education centre and forest school for all ages – just two miles from the Prestwick Centre. I love seeing children and young people get outside, away from screens, and immersed in nature. It’s more than just fun (though there’s plenty of that!); it’s about helping them learn hands-on skills, build confidence, and reconnect with the world around them. 

“As a not-for-profit community interest company, Acorn also supports older people, including those living with dementia, and offers gentle animal therapy through its friendly chickens and goats. I feel proud to be part of something that brings so many different people together through the power of the outdoors.” – Antti, Little Acorns CIC