Community Support
Corporate and Social Responsibility
By Jenny Smith – Head of Talent & Engagement
Local community support is important to HM Legal. Encouraging employee engagement which reflects our values is equally important to us.
How does this translate into action? Colleagues are supported when promoting causes close to their heart and the business is proud to devote time, ideas and money to supporting local charities, clubs and national campaigns. Below are some of HM Legal’s CSR initiatives.
Charity fundraising
Each year HM Legal staff vote for a charity to support and fundraise for throughout the year. We’re delighted to say that the charity in 2022 is Claire House. Visit the Just Giving page here to keep on top of the activities throughout the year. HM Legal’s Employee Engagement committee is a busy little team of colleagues committed to supporting Claire House and fundraising activities.
We regularly support the Countess Charity, Clatterbridge, and have sponsored carol concerts in aid of the Hospice of the Good Shepherd.
Positive mental health matters
One of our benefits includes ongoing personal and professional development. At the centre of this is developing our people and helping them to be the best version of themselves.
For a number of years we have supported Mental Health Awareness Week and HM Legal’s Mental Health First Aiders offer support and signposting to colleagues. Team meetings, Weekly check-ins and regular staff research provide colleagues with a voice. Part of affecting positive change is also getting involved in community events and fundraising.
Supporting local clubs and initiatives
We are proud supporters of various activities in and around the areas where we work. One-off initiative included volunteering to plant bulbs in the Chester Pocket Park, and taking part in the Chester Duck Race to fundraise for the Countess Charity. Our support extends further to Anselmians Rugby Cub, Cheshire Phoenix basketball, Chester Arts Fair, Visual Artists Association and more.
Giving something back
Find out more about a few of the activities and organisations we support.
Claire House Chosen Charity in 2022
The Liverpool Children’s Hospice helping seriously and terminally ill children live life to the full by creating wonderful experiences and bringing back a sense of normality to family life.
Sponsoring Anselmians Rugby
We are proud to support this club which has a busy programme of games and special events including high-profile guests, bringing the whole community and families together in Wirral.
Principal sponsors of Cheshire Phoenix
As well as the thrill of the action-packed games in Ellesmere Port, this sociable and passionate club supports junior players and wheelchair basketball.
Sustainable Palm Oil Champions
We were delighted when HM became the First Sustainable Palm Oil Workplace in the World. Supporting the Act for Wildlife Sustainable Palm Oil Challenge led by Chester Zoo.
Celebrating International Women’s Day 2021
Fortunately, 91% of our staff work flexibly under our hybrid / remote working model – we are right behind promoting work / life balance for colleagues. Also, we are proud to say that in 2021, 31% of our female staff worked flexibly regardless of our remote working model.
IWD in 2021 was a different celebration to usual amid Covid-19 as research shows that women have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.
In 2022 we promoted the #BreakTheBias message to increase diversity and inclusion, and more importantly to take action which will lead to change. We celebrate equality on this day, and every day. And it is important for us to shout out both women and men who are supporting each other and achieving positive change together.
The theme for IWD 2021 was #ChooseToChallenge. By raising awareness, celebrating women’s achievements and challenging stereotypes we can help bring about positive change. According to diversity and inclusion information from the SRA, the legal industry still has some way to go on female representation in law, particularly in regard to senior / leadership roles.
Hillyer McKeown supported IWD and International Men’s Day for a number of years, and HM Legal will continue to do so to raise awareness of important issues.
International Women’s Day Podcast
In the short 10-minute podcast, Justine (Partner and Engagement Director), and Alice Watkinson (her daughter) speak honestly about the challenges many women have faced in the last 12 months and what they feel is to happen next to ‘level up’ the effects of the pandemic on women in particular.
Justine and Alice Watkinson discuss challenges of flexible working and why business needs to boldly embrace change.
