2024 Budget: Key changes and the implications for individuals and businesses
Today, Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her Budget speech, representing the Labour...
We are thrilled to announce that we have been named a finalist for the Contribution to the Community Award at this year’s Hampshire Business Awards. This recognition highlights our unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of individuals and groups across Hampshire as well as in our additional locations across Wiltshire and Oxfordshire.
Our ethos is encapsulated in our values; Heritage, Connection, Excellence, and Versatility. These values drive our dedication to supporting our communities and develop a culture of social responsibility. Our various initiatives demonstrate not just commitment but impactful community engagement that benefits employees, clients, and those in need.
How we support the community
Our sponsorships, volunteering days, and partnerships with multiple organisations have made a tangible difference and we are proud to support numerous different organisations, groups and individuals across the areas that we live and work. Our approach to community needs is both innovative and diverse, engaging in sponsorships, volunteering our time for charity, and participating in fundraising activities.
Armed Forces community
In addition to hosting free legal clinics at several military bases, we have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, sponsor the British Eventing at Larkhill and have been regular supports of Armed Forces Day in Andover and Salisbury.
Charitable organisations
We work with several charities across Hampshire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire, supporting them through fundraising activities, volunteering and sponsorship. Our recent Charities of the Year have been Julia’s House, Dogs Trust and The Countess of Brecknock Hospice Trust, and we have a close working partnership with Oakhaven Hospice, Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Jane Scarth House, Wiltshire Creative, Army Flying Museum and Salisbury Hospice, to name a few.
Examples of our work with them includes sponsoring Wiltshire Creative’s launch event, Patch Parade for the International Arts Festival 2024, taking on our own walking challenge for Dogs Trust which involved walking 22 miles from our Salisbury office to their Salisbury rehoming centre and back again, entering a team into the Army Flying Museum annual quiz and much more.
We are always keen to work with charities and organisations that can offer something slightly different for us to work on, for example, we took part in the Oakhaven Business Enterprise Challenge which saw our Trainee Solicitors come together as a group to turn £100 into £1,000 for the charity. One particular challenge that raised significant funds was a static cyclethon in our Andover office. With 15 staff taking part, we had four teams representing our Andover, Romsey, Salisbury and Witney offices. Each team had to cycle 198 miles, which is the distance from our Witney office to Oakhaven Hospice via the other offices. The first team to beat 198 miles was the winner; it was an incredible day that had the whole office involved, in addition to the cyclists.
Wider community
We engage with the wider community on several fronts, offering free legal advice through clinics, as well as working in partnership with other community organisations in support of their own initiatives, for example, sponsoring Andover Carnival, Pride of Andover Awards and Romsey Relay Marathon.
Business community
We actively participate in local Chambers of Commerce, particularly with Romsey and Salisbury Chambers. Business awards are also a key way to show our support to the business community, giving businesses the opportunity to showcase their achievements; in 2024, we are sponsoring both the Test Valley Business Awards and the New Forest Business Partnership “Brilliance in Business Awards”.
Sports community
As a firm, we support and sponsor local sports teams. We have sponsored and provided kits for Witney Vikings Under 14s Hornets Girls Football Team, Romsey Town Football Club, Andover Youth Football Club, Amesbury Football Club and Romsey Rugby Club.
Over 50s support
Several members of our staff are Dementia Friends, and we commit our time to local care homes, where members of our Wills, Probate and Estate Planning department, visit free of charge to present on the importance of having a Will and Lasting Power of Attorney in place.
Managing Partner, Gareth Horner, expressed his gratitude in the nomination, “Being named a finalist for the Contribution to the Community Award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. We feel it is important to empower our employees to spend time giving back to the causes that mean the most to them and ensuring they feel comfortable in engaging with the community, and I would like to thank each and every member of our incredible team for giving up their time so selflessly. We strive to embody our values in everything we do, and we hope this encourages other businesses to engage with their communities in meaningful ways.”
To read more about our activities over the years, you can visit our Life at Parker Bullen page.
