Irwin Mitchell trainees get stuck in

Irwin Mitchell's most recent intake of trainees has been drawn into two of the firm's social responsibility (SR) initiatives as part of their induction.

The September 2012 intake was split into two groups and took part in two community volunteering projects. The first visited Hollinsend Community Food Garden, where they helped to develop a local food garden aimed to bring together vulnerable groups within the area. The second painted training rooms at the Station Foyer, a local refugee hostel which provides support and training to refugees.

Helen Cannon, graduate recruitment manager, commented: "As the future of our business, it is important to instil SR values in all our new and aspiring solicitors; our current (and future) trainees will drive our business and SR programme for future generations. This extends far beyond traditional pro bono activities undertaken by law firms and includes engaging with our local communities, creating a supporting and inclusive work place and reducing our impact on the environment."

In fact, Helen took a very hands-on role in the exercise, as she explains: "I left my Blackberry at the office and pulled on my gardening gloves to help out the first group of volunteers and saw what a fantastic bonding experience the challenge was. Our trainees were able to network outside of the office and really get to know each other ahead of starting officially at Irwin Mitchell. This was my first volunteering experience at the firm and I would definitely recommend anyone who hasn't tried it to do so, as part of a team-building exercise or an alternative networking event with clients."