Adding real value Watson Burton LLP Corporate Social Responsibility Special Report: Our work with Fairbridge 2009
senior partner statement At Watson Burton LLP, we know that the way in which we do business has an impact on the wider community. We are a firm that recognises the need for a comprehensive corporate social responsibility programme which responds to key social and environmental concerns through a variety of outlets from pro-bono work to environmental initiatives. Our vision to be “open, honest and fair” is dependent on a positive and nurturing working environment. We understand that encouraging employee development at every level will enable us to provide a more focussed, strategic service for our clients. Every year Watson Burton makes charitable donations in cash and in kind to a variety of charitable causes. One of the firm’s chosen charities is Fairbridge, a national charity which supports 13 – 25 year olds in deprived areas throughout the UK. Many of these young people face a range of problems including exclusion from school, long-term unemployment, homelessness or the consequences of involvement in criminal activity. Many are living on the margins of their local community without the support of their family. Fairbridge aims to give these young people the motivation, confidence and skills they need to change their own lives and we are delighted to be able to provide our support to such a worthy cause.
ROB LANGLEY, SENIOR PARTNER
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A sense of social responsibility is important to us. We all have a role to play in making the world a better place. As individuals and as a firm, we want to make a difference Rob Langley, Senior Partner
our csr philosophy
As a commercial law firm, awareness of corporate social responsibility is fundamental to the way in which we do business. To us it means making informed, reasoned and ethical decisions about how we conduct business transactions, treat our employees and how we behave towards our clients. Our firm aims to have a positive effect on both the wider community and the environment. We have adopted a culture where participation in the local community is recognised and celebrated. Our commitment to putting something back into the communities in which we live and work spans all sectors, from tourism to sports, to arts and culture and the encouragement of inward investment, through to the development of environmental and other community initiatives. It is important to us that our CSR philosophy is reflected through our everyday working life within all levels of the firm.
Our CSR objectives •
to make informed, reasoned and ethical decisions
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to make a difference within the communities in which we live
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to ensure our employees develop to their full potential
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to maintain our high standards of health & safety in the workplace
Fairbridge and Watson Burton LLP our contribution Watson Burton has supported Fairbridge over many years in numerous ways, including: Pro-bono legal services Having access to lawyers with strong business advisory skills as well as sound legal skills can be invaluable to charitable organisations. Charitable giving We have successfully fostered a culture where partners, solicitors and support staff are regularly involved in fundraising initiatives for their favourite charities and we intend to maintain the momentum. Trusteeships Many of our lawyers volunteer to sit on the board of a range of charitable and local organisations. Volunteering The firm participates in a wide range of charitable events. In 2009 we completed larger projects including “What makes me smile” and the “Snow-dome project”.
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This project has brought together business, culture and community highlighting the positive effect of corporate social responsibility and what can be achieved when we work together Iona Simms, Trainee
what makes me smile Watson Burton trainee solicitors recently enlisted the talents of five young people from youth charity Fairbridge Tyne & Wear to work with community artist Paul Merrick to produce contemporary art work that was unveiled at the BALTIC gallery in Gateshead as part of an exhibition entitled ‘What makes me smile”. Our trainee solicitors wanted the chance to not only work with young people but to also provide them with an opportunity to show their talents. The trainees talked to a group of young people about their interests and believed that the skills and creativity of the individuals should be explored. So working with the Development Tutors of Fairbridge an art project was designed. The young people created the theme of “What makes me smile” and produced a variety of artistic displays relating to the theme. Hannah, 21, Barry, 23, Laura, 16, Zoe, 20 and Sam ,19 took inspiration from other styles of modern artwork on display at the Baltic gallery as well as exploring what makes them happy. They produced work from video installation to free standing sculpture – all of which were displayed at the BALTIC from 13 to 24 May 2009.
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I’ve not worked with this kind of group before – its been good for the young people to encounter a different environment and have the opportunity and responsibility of creating a piece of art work. Many applied skills they haven’t used before. It was a real moment for them when they saw their work unveiled Paul Merrick, Artist
the snow-dome project Leeds based Watson Burton trainee solicitors recently coordinated a two-day project with the aim of providing young people from Fairbridge with various challenges to enhance their communication, team working skills and local knowledge. Day 1 consisted of an urban orienteering trail based around York’s 2000 year old history. This involved the young people splitting into teams, to make their way to various landmarks, taking a photograph to prove it and then make their way to the finishing point by a certain time. There were 15 different places to find and the winning team found 11 securing themselves a prize. The teams moved on to York Dungeon for a tour then made their way to their accommodation for the evening, Elvington Hall, where they worked together in preparing their meal before attending a ghost tour in York.
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The Snow-Dome Project was designed by a team of 6 Leeds-based Watson Burton trainees. It aimed to provide young people from Fairbridge with various challenges. The main theme was cooperation, and the ancillaries were communication, learning, map reading and orienteering Benjamin Hanley, Trainee
Day 2 saw the youngsters testing their physical abilities on the ski slope during a skiing lesson at a Snow Dome in Castleford. This activity enabled the youngsters to not only have fun, but also challenged them to improve their listening skills and their ability to follow instructions.
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It is great to have the support of established firms such as Watson Burton who recognise the valuable contribution Fairbridge is making to society, the money they have raised and their involvement in our projects along with the pro bono legal support they provide has been invaluable Vivian Taylor, Fairbridge
in aid of Fairbridge In addition Watson Burton have hosted and participated in a variety of events in aid of Fairbridge: young professionals’ charity evening Watson Burton held their first ‘young professionals’ event to raise much needed funds for Fairbridge. The charity quiz night, which took place at Tiger Tiger in Newcastle, brought together trainees, young solicitors, paralegals and young professionals from businesses across the north east. The evening, organised by the newly formed committee of trainees and young lawyers from the firm, consisted of a six round quiz, raffle, buffet and drinks. A host of prizes were on offer including champagne, cinema tickets and VIP passes for Tiger Tiger and Tup Tup. island and castle challenge A team from Watson Burton swapped their suits and loafers for life jackets and trainers to raise money for charity. Senior Partner Rob Langley volunteered his yacht and skippering skills to help raise money for Fairbridge. This was the second year in a row Rob entered a team into the Island & Castle Challenge raising a significant sum for the charity. personal development training Lawyers worked with staff at Fairbridge on a project to devise a personal development session for the young people who benefit from the work of the charity. The project involved a selection of Watson Burton’s newest lawyers working with the Fairbridge training co-ordinators to devise a two day activity and training session with the aim of developing the personal skills of the young people who attended.
Our work with Fairbridge continues and we look forward to providing support moving forwards. We are delighted that our staff are committed to supporting organisations like Fairbridge – not just through charitable giving but by giving their time, energy, dedication and skills. For more information on Fairbridge and the fantastic work it carries out, please visit: http://www.fairbridge.org.uk
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