We are very proud of our Charity of the Year programme and the support it receives from our staff. With 8 offices across Somerset and Dorset, we are very aware that across both counties there are people struggling to make ends meet. Whether it is individuals laid off or furloughed due to the pandemic, or charities with less resources trying to help more people, we know that every little helps.

With that in mind, we are delighted that staff in our Taunton office have raised £1,464 for Mind in Somerset. This money was mostly raised through dress down days, bake sales, pancake tossing and bacon buttie sales in 2019 and early 2020, with a top up of £500 from the partners.

Sharon Collier, Partner and Head of the Taunton office, said: “Over the past 16 months employers have found themselves in unchartered waters, and the rise in mental health issues, both at work and in staff personal lives, has been something they have needed to handle remotely. Having nominated MIND in Somerset as our office charity before the pandemic, we decided to continue our support for a second year as their work became more meaningful than ever.”

Barnaby Baker, the Taunton office’s charity rep, added “Everyone in our Taunton offices has had a part to play in raising this amount, baking cakes, coming in early to cook and buy breakfast sandwiches before work, and raising awareness of the charity across the business community. We appreciate that it has been a tough year for charities, having to close their doors and work from home just like everyone else, so we were delighted to see Alison face to face for a cheque presentation.”