Voluntary Action Rotherham

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, who is from Rotherham, and a Partner and specialist in Industrial Disease 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.”

“The vibrant lilac and purple colour scheme was chosen by a representative group of Rush House residents at one of the planning meetings with Irwin Mitchell”, said Jo Smith.  “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. Of course the staff here make all of the young people who come through our doors very welcome, but it’s also important that the ambience is right for them.  We need the interior to be warm and welcoming also.  So what the Irwin Mitchell team have done in transforming the day room is fantastic.”

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.”