In our weekly good news round-up, we feature three positive stories from across the week that showcase remarkable innovation, breakthroughs, and progress within the realms of healthcare, sustainability, equity and inclusion, workplace wellbeing, social impact and more.

Here are our favourite positive stories of the week, 9 to 15 December, 2024.

Geminid meteor shower set to light up our skies

This could be the week you witness the stunning spectacle of the Geminid meteor shower lighting up the night sky. Visible from 4 to 20 December, the peak of the shower will occur between 13-14 December, with the best viewing times likely to be in the early hours of Saturday, 14 December in the UK.

Unlike many meteor showers that are caused by comets, the Geminids are unique as they originate from debris left behind by an asteroid, making them a rare and fascinating sight.

The Geminid meteors are among the brightest and most abundant, creating vivid streaks across the sky. The meteors can travel at speeds of up to 150,000 mph (241,000km/h), vapourising as they enter Earth’s atmosphere. What makes this event particularly special is the multi-coloured trails that often appear in the sky, ranging from white to green, red, yellow, and blue (caused by the presence of elements like sodium and calcium in the asteroid debris). You can learn more here.

‘1 Undershaft’ set to rival the Shard as London’s tallest building

Planning permission has been granted for a new skyscraper, 1 Undershaft, which is set to rival the height of the Shard in London. At 309.6 metres, the tower will match the Shard’s height exactly, as civil aviation regulations cap new structures at this level.

Designed by Eric Parry Architects, this new addition to the City of London will offer Europe’s highest publicly accessible viewing gallery, providing breathtaking views of the capital. The building will also include a free public garden on the 11th floor, offering a unique space for visitors to enjoy green space in the heart of the city. Additionally, the uppermost floors will house an educational space curated by the London Museum, including a “classroom in the sky” where visitors can learn more about the city’s history and development.

London’s skyline and the famous Shard in Bermondsey which opened to the public 12 years ago.

Charity initiatives boost employee engagement and attract job seekers

New research reveals that charity programmes are becoming a key factor in attracting and retaining employees. A third of job seekers now prioritise employers with charity initiatives, such as salary sacrifice schemes, volunteering days, and fundraising events. These charitable efforts are also linked to higher employee engagement: 75 per cent of workers at companies with such schemes report strong workplace engagement, compared to just over half at firms without them.

Alistair Gill, an employee engagement expert, highlights that corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and wellbeing programmes are increasingly critical in attracting talent. He said employers need to “adapt to keep up” with workers’ interest in charity work.

The research, conducted by Britvic, demonstrates the powerful role philanthropy plays in shaping the modern workplace. However, a report published in September by social value platform What Impact highlighted a gap in corporate partnerships for charities across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Despite a desire to collaborate, two in five charities have yet to secure a corporate partner. The situation is even more pronounced in Wales, where three in five charities seeking corporate collaborations are still without a business partner. This research points to an ongoing challenge in bridging the gap between the charitable and private sectors.