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Community spirit

Shoosmiths Trainees take an active part in the CR (Corporate Responsibility) around the firm, and they also create and drive initiatives of their own.

In the past year Shoosmiths trainees have hosted a Royal Wedding tea party, participated in an apple pie bake-off, dressed up in fancy dress, pushed a cake trolley around the office, competed in a "Wimbledon" Wii-tennis tournament, and spent a day teaching children at local schools about world trade - all in aid of charity. Recently, trainees from our Thames Valley office dressed as Santa in the 5K Santa Dash for Brainwave, our new charity partner.

A number of trainees also sit on their local office charity committee (or even chair it!) which gives them a say in deciding the kind of projects that the office gets involved in. In addition, trainees get involved in organising and participating in community projects and office team challenges, hoping to make a difference to local (and more deprived) communities.

As we welcome in the new trainees in September each year with a week of induction activities, we set them the task of creating and running some kind of charity-related project. This year, the brief was left wide open so that they could choose to do anything but must turn £300 into £1200 in a matter of months. The trainees from each of our offices came up with a variety of ideas to raise money for our Charity of the Year, from car washing, gift wrapping and selling Krispy Kremes to hosting a lunchtime Jamaican buffet!

“Birmingham trainees decided to do a car boot sale as part of the Induction Challenge, where Shoosmiths colleagues would bring in items they no longer used and we would sell the items at a local car-boot sale. The whole office was involved in collecting items and exchanging ideas. On the day, we set up very early at a local car-boot venue in Birmingham and negotiated heavily in order to raise as much money as we could for Brainwave. We were very happy to raise more than £200.00 and we had a great day too!” Rohana Abeywardana, 1st Year Trainee, Birmingham.

"As part of our induction week, the Northampton, MK and Nottingham offices decided to take part in an "Iron Man and Iron Maiden" challenge. This involved ironing our colleagues' shirts and clothes for charity. Not surprisingly, it proved to be a very popular idea! By the end of the week's challenge, we had raised significant sums for our Charity of the Year - and improved our ironing skills in the process!"  Jo Davies, 2nd Year Trainee, Nottingham

“Trainees at Birmingham enjoyed the task of writing a chapter of a modern day version of the story, Robin Hood! We were invited to attend a local primary school to read our chapters alongside the pupils. It was rewarding to see that the children really enjoyed themselves while also developing their reading skills.” Jennifer Ireland & Rebecca Bergin, 1st Year Trainees, Birmingham

Check out our page for CR activities & initiatives where you can find out more information.

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Get in touch

Rita Tappia

Professional Recruitment Manager
T: 03700 86 4155
I: +44 (0)121 625 4155
E: rita.tappia@shoosmiths.co.uk