Our community
Our community
Responsible Business
Report 2025-26
In focusOur volunteering scheme a year on
Since its inception in 2024, Russell-Cooke’s firmwide volunteering scheme has given colleagues the chance to contribute to a wide range of community initiatives. From supporting local charities to preserving historic sites and helping refugees gain skills, volunteers have embraced the scheme with enthusiasm. We spoke to some participants about their experiences, what they learned, and the highlights of their volunteering days.
Partnership with the Ethical Property Foundation providing free property advice to charities
Trainees leading the Fundraising and Outreach Committee this year
Community and fundraising activities planned and delivered across the firm
Charities supported through webinars, clinics and educational programmes
Q&A
Janice: I’ve been involved with the Pony Centre for about ten years, and it has a very personal significance for me. My youngest daughter has a rare chromosome disorder, and horse-riding has been a vital part of her development and played a significant part in her learning to walk aged 6.
The centre focuses on children and young adults, particularly those with disabilities, mental health and behavioural problems and those on the edge of exclusion from education.
Seeing people who struggle to find their way in the world gain confidence and self-esteem through their connection with the pony centre is incredibly moving.
Janice:I volunteered alongside partner Sarah Towler. On the day we volunteered, I worked with the CEO drafting a grant application, putting together something tangible which, if successful, will make a real difference to the charity over the next few years. Between office tasks, I even managed a short ride out on Wormwood Scrubs Common on one of my favourite horses, Marcel. It is important that the horses get time out on open land as they spend a lot of time in their stables in winter or being very patient and gentle with their disabled riders.
The pony centre is small, with around 20 horses, but there’s always a role for every volunteer and the mantra is “it’s not what you can’t do, but what you can do,” which is empowering.
Many people might be put off from volunteering somewhere like this because they might think they don’t have the physical skills to work with the horses, but running a stables is like managing a small town and there is an enormous amount of admin and paper work for those who might feel safer in an office.
Sarah worked with the CEO for the day, using her IT skills to set up some admin systems and get the centre more organised administratively.
Janice: It’s the impact you see first-hand. Children rigid with tension, begin to relax and move with their pony. Those struggling with depression or low self-worth find confidence and self-esteem through their learning and contribution. I’ve learned a lot from my time at the Pony Centre: patience, interacting with diverse groups, and problem-solving under pressure. And there’s a feel-good factor; it’s energising to do something concrete that helps others.
Janice: Volunteering at the centre reinforces the idea that everyone can contribute in some way. Even small tasks like administrative support are invaluable to a charity that works with limited resources. It’s empowering, validating, and good for the soul. The positivity, skills, and perspective you gain, feed back into your day job too.
Migrateful supports refugees and asylum seekers by helping them become cookery teachers. Many face huge challenges finding work when they arrive in the UK, and the charity gives them confidence, social connections, and practical skills. We wanted to help participants and learn from their stories, while supporting a meaningful cause.
We worked with Chef Akram from Sri Lanka, helping set up cooking stations, support participants during their classes, and tackle the inevitable mountain of washing up. Chef Akram taught us a full Sri Lankan feast - fish cutlets, Parippu (lentil dhal), beetroot curry, pineapple curry, chicken curry, and coconut rice. After all the cooking and cleaning, we finally sat down to enjoy the meal, which was delicious.
The combination of skill-building and cultural exchange was amazing. You’re not just helping out; you’re learning patience, teamwork, and empathy while seeing the results of your work. Watching the participants grow in confidence as they prepare to teach their own classes is inspiring.
We’ve learnt that volunteering is a two-way street. You give time and energy, but you also gain insight, new skills, and a real sense of connection. It’s personally and professionally enriching, and seeing the direct impact of your support is very rewarding.
The Palace is a historic site near our Putney office and also a longstanding and valued client. The Trust preserves the house and gardens while engaging the community through education, conservation, and sustainability initiatives. Volunteering was a way to give back to a local institution and support something that matters to the community.
We took part in the ‘Deck the Fulham Palace Halls’ event, preparing decorations for the festive season. Head Gardener Lucy Hart explained the work carried out at the Palace and how volunteers contribute. We then made decorations using natural and sustainable materials grown in the Palace gardens. Our creations included paper Christmas trees, garlands, and floral centrepieces - all of which will be displayed throughout the Palace during the festive season.
The creativity and teamwork required were brilliant. It was hands-on, fun, and directly impactful. We could see how our efforts enhanced the experience for visitors, and there was a great sense of satisfaction in contributing to something so many people would enjoy.
It highlighted the importance of volunteering in maintaining local cultural and historical institutions. It was also an opportunity to work with colleagues in a creative, collaborative environment outside the office, strengthening team bonds and giving back to the community.
Chris Rowse: The Russell-Cooke volunteering scheme has been a tremendous success because it’s inclusive, flexible, and meaningful. There’s a place for everyone, whether you enjoy hands-on work with children and animals, cooking, or creative projects – and every contribution, no matter how small, has real impact. The scheme bridges professional skills and charitable work, allowing colleagues to apply what they do in the office in ways that genuinely benefit the community, while also learning new skills themselves.
Over the past year, we’ve seen how volunteering fosters teamwork, builds confidence, and strengthens connections. From organising a filing system or helping with washing up, to supporting children at the Pony Centre or assisting refugees in the kitchen, every action matters and makes a difference.
A year on, the scheme has brought our people together, reinforced the firm’s commitment to the local community, and further embedded social responsibility into our culture. It’s energising, rewarding, and a clear example of how small acts of volunteering can have a lasting impact, both for those we help and for our colleagues taking part. Staff have developed new skills, built connections, and contributed meaningfully to their communities. As one volunteer put it: “There’s always a way to help, and when you do, the rewards are as much yours as theirs.”
What supporting our community means to me...
To me, supporting our communities means using our experience of the law to advise and help those who might not otherwise have access to justice to be on a more level playing field.
Paul Greatholder
Partner
I’m proud to be part of a firm that takes time to give back and make a meaningful difference to the communities it supports, particularly those who are vulnerable.
Grace Burney
Legal assistant