Member Article

Local good causes to benefit from accountants volunteering scheme

Clive Owen LLP, which has offices in Darlington, Durham and Middlesbrough is seeking local charities and good causes as partners for its colleague volunteering scheme.

The firm encourages every member of its team to take one day each year as a paid volunteering day for an organisation of their choice.

Volunteering has benefits for both colleagues and the charities they give time to. With economic uncertainties and the cost-of-living crisis impacting local communities, Clive Owen LLP recognises that it is important to support their team to give something back.

Clive Owen LLP has always put itself at the heart of the community. The firm also recognises the benefits volunteering can provide including the social interaction, wellbeing and work experience aspects which can be transferred back into the workplace.

Carl Wright, partner at Clive Owen LLP leads the sustainability focus for the firm and said: “Supporting local causes has always been a priority for Clive Owen LLP. The firm regularly takes part in fundraisers and each office donates to a local foodbank during the year. We would like to give more to these good causes, by utilising a policy we have had in place for a number of years.

“It would be great if we could encourage local charities to approach us with opportunities to enable our colleagues to support more projects and enjoy all the benefits of volunteering.”

The scheme has already been taken up by several colleagues including marketing manager, Sophie Cass. Sophie coaches a netball team that offers a route into the sport for younger women. She also runs the Clive Owen netball team which competes every week. Sophie said, “I have volunteered for a number of years and now working for a firm who provide a volunteering day for the team means there’s more I am able to do. There are opportunities during the working week I wouldn’t have normally been able to take. “I am actively looking for other opportunities where I can use my skills to support the local community. I have recently joined The Girls Network as a mentor and have found this incredibly valuable and fulfilling. I’m hoping we get some more charities asking for our help.” Senior Audit manager, Alexandra Hazlerigg also volunteers for a good cause, Vision for Adventure. This charity provides opportunities for people with vision impairment by allowing them to undertake outdoor activities such as rock climbing and kayaking. Alexandra has seen great benefits from taking part in this volunteering as she is passionate about the outdoors and so finds giving back to those who cannot usually access the great outdoors is rewarding for her. Mo Jalili who is part of the Managed Services team also volunteers for a local Baptist Church. Mo assists in supporting homeless people and asylum seekers through various services including job search assistance and provides support for those seeking temporary accommodation.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by News Gathering .