The region’s largest annual volunteering initiative for the legal sector grew for the fourth year running as professionals took part in a unique CSR activity that invited the world of work into schools in some of the city’s most deprived communities.
A range of professionals, from lawyers to marketing managers, got involved in sessions that embraced the ‘World of Work’ with focused workshops that challenged the children to consider their future careers and how they can work to achieve their dream, whilst gaining first hand accounts of working in a variety of roles within a law firm.
The children wrote mock application forms for their dream job, with the help of the volunteers and acted out job interview role plays. The day ended with the children drawing up a guide detailing helpful tips on interview techniques and how to impress on the first day in a new job.
All activities demonstrated how the skills they are learning at school could transfer into the workplace, in order to empower young people to consider and develop their future career ambitions, and kick-start the passion to work towards their ideal job.
Fabian Hamilton, MP for Leeds North East, commented: “I can’t emphasis enough how important it is to help pupils to understand the importance of education and raise their aspirations for work. I am keen to see increased links between professional organisations and schools in the future”.
Rosemary Edwards, partner at Shulmans and director of Leeds Legal said: “Leeds Legal Education and Enterprise Week is a great opportunity for the whole legal sector in Leeds to join together to try to make a difference to children’s lives by raising aspirations and making them aware of the opportunities available in the city and beyond.
“This year’s event has been a huge success. We have attracted more law firms and participating volunteers than ever before, which in turn has allowed us to inspire even more children across the city. We were honoured to welcome Fabian Hamilton MP to the event, to demonstrate the positive impact that this initiative has on all parties involved - from the school and children to the volunteers and represented law firms and organisations”.
Leeds Legal Education and Enterprise Week is organised in conjunction with Leeds Ahead, which works with the public and private sectors to foster social and economic regeneration in the city
Stephanie Burras, chief executive of Leeds Ahead, said: “Leeds Legal Education and Enterprise Week is a great way for law firms to get involved and offer something back to the local community. It provides an interactive, engaging initiative which allows the children, teachers and volunteers to have fun while empowering children from some of the most deprived areas of Leeds.”
