At Bain and Gray, community has always sat at the heart of what we do.

Beyond recruitment, beyond partnerships, there is a genuine desire to align ourselves with organisations that are creating meaningful, lasting impact. Not just at scale, but at a human level, where change is felt, seen and experienced. It is for this reason that our senior leadership team choose to support Astriid as a charity partner.

Why Astriid?

In a landscape often dominated by large-scale initiatives, there is something quietly powerful about a smaller organisation with a clear, focused mission.

Astriid exists to support individuals living with long-term health conditions and disabilities into meaningful employment. What sets them apart is not just what they do, but how they do it.

Their approach is deeply personal. Rooted in lived experience, they understand the complexities of navigating work with fluctuating health, energy limitations and the need for flexibility. This is not a one-size-fits-all model, it is tailored, empathetic and refreshingly honest.

For Bain and Gray, this resonated immediately. Choosing a smaller charity allows for a more direct relationship. It creates space to be involved, to contribute in a hands-on way, and to see the tangible difference being made within a community. It moves beyond passive support into active partnership. We were first introduced to Astriid two years ago, and we have even hosted their former CEO and now ambassador Steve Shutts for a podcast, as well as other members of their community, such as Pippa Stacey, please see here for more on this.

A Shared Perspective on Talent

At its core, Astriid challenges traditional perceptions of talent.

There is a strong alignment here with our own ethos. The idea that capability is not always linear, that careers do not always follow a predictable path, and that potential can often be found in unexpected places.

By focusing on skills, adaptability and lived experience, Astriid is helping to redefine how employers, and candidates, think about value in the workplace.

Please see a quote from one of our own consultants, Hetty, who very actively supports Astriid and the activities we do as a company to raise funds for them:

“Partnering with our chosen charity, Astriid, is something I feel deeply passionate about because it reflects the values I believe truly matter in the workplace. Having worked with Bain and Gray for eight years, one of the relationships I am most proud to have built is with Astriid. They do incredible work raising awareness and actively supporting talented individuals who may need to approach work in a different way due to long-term health conditions or disabilities. A different route to success does not make someone’s skills any less valuable or relevant. Astriid helps businesses recognise this untapped talent, creating opportunities for exceptional people while championing a more inclusive and forward-thinking workplace.

Looking back on the fundraising we have done for Astriid, one of my favourite moments was completing the Chiltern Ultra Challenge with the Bain and Gray team. It was a fantastic experience that brought us together as a team and allowed us to support a charity that truly resonates with us.”

Introducing FLEXI: A New Way to Engage with Work

A key focus for Astriid currently is the launch of FLEXI - an innovative community support initiative designed to help individuals explore employment in a way that feels accessible, inclusive and realistic. At a time when conversations around flexible working are evolving, FLEXI takes this a step further. It recognises that for many, flexibility is not a preference, but a requirement. Through monthly sessions and workshops, FLEXI creates a space where individuals can build confidence, develop skills and navigate the world of work on their own terms. One of the upcoming sessions focuses on a topic that feels particularly relevant in today’s market: transferable skills.

Why Transferable Skills Matter More Than Ever

The concept of transferable skills has become increasingly important, particularly for those whose career paths may not follow a traditional trajectory.

Within the FLEXI webinar, attendees will explore:

  • What transferable skills are, and why they are crucial for individuals with long-term health conditions
  • How lived experiences can translate into valuable professional strengths
  • Ways to communicate these skills effectively in job applications and interviews
  • How to approach conversations around disclosure, should they choose to do so
  • Practical ways to build new skills in an accessible and engaging way

Importantly, it also creates space for real conversation. Bain and Gray’s own consultants will be joining to share insight from a recruitment perspective, offering guidance and answering questions live.

Meeting People Where They Are

What makes FLEXI particularly impactful is its understanding of real life. Astriid openly acknowledges the realities of energy-limiting conditions, fluctuating symptoms and the need for autonomy when preparing for work. Their programmes are designed with this in mind - flexible, supportive and without pressure.

Whether someone is just beginning to consider employment, returning after time away, or exploring new opportunities, FLEXI meets them exactly where they are.

For Bain and Gray, partnering with Astriid is an opportunity to contribute to that change in a tangible way, while learning, engaging and growing alongside it. And perhaps most importantly, it is a reminder that talent exists everywhere. We at Bain and Gray are incredibly proud to be supporting Astriid and would urge anyone within our network to also get involved.

Explore other Astriid and charity partner content here.