News: Solicitors rush to youth charity’s aid

A ten-strong team from the Sheffield office of national law firm Irwin Mitchell has undertaken a makeover at Rotherham youth accommodation charity, Rush House.

The solicitors, trainee solicitors and legal executives transformed a day room for the centre, which provides short and medium term shelter and support services to vulnerable young people aged 16 – 25.

The project came about after Irwin Mitchell contacted Voluntary Action Rotherham (VAR) to enquire about needy projects as part of the law firm's Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV) programme.

Mark Allen, partner at Irwin Mitchell LLP. said: "With VAR's local knowledge we selected Rush House as a great example of offering direct, meaningful support to young people.

"We met with Jo Smith, the manager of the project as well as some of the residents and identified a large shared living area which was badly in need of brightening up."

Jo Smith, manager at Rush Youse, added: "The space is now much more welcoming and encourages socialising among our residents.

"I can't thank Irwin Mitchell enough for the amazing effort they’ve put in. At Rush House we operate on limited funds and a very strict budget which doesn't cover the upkeep and decoration of the buildings."

Kerry McGrath from VAR's Volunteer Centre team commented: "We are here to harness the good will of organisations like Irwin Mitchell who encourage their staff in community involvement. At VAR we know of worthwhile volunteer projects and will make all of the arrangements so that both the volunteers and the project gain the maximum benefit."

Irwin Mitchell website
VAR website

Images: VAR