Janine GriffithsA leading Leeds law firm has announced a new partnership with Harehills based children’s charity CATCH, strengthening support for young people in East Leeds.
Gordons has chosen CATCH, which stands for Community Action To Create Hope, as its official charity partner. The partnership will focus on supporting the charity’s work with more than 1,000 young people, helping them build skills, confidence and ambition through mentoring and positive activities.
Based in Harehills, CATCH provides weekly sessions and targeted mentoring to support children and young people in reaching their potential. The charity works to create opportunities and offer a safe, supportive environment where young people can grow and develop.
The collaboration reflects Gordons’ long standing commitment to social mobility. The firm launched its legal apprenticeship programme in 2011 to widen access to careers in law and create opportunities for people from different backgrounds.
Colleagues from Gordons, including apprentices and trainees, have already begun attending youth events and getting involved in activities with CATCH. Fundraising will take place throughout the year, including firm wide initiatives such as bake sales and a team taking part in the Leeds 10K in June.
James Pearson from CATCH said: “Both organisations are like-minded and opportunity-focused, promoting the values of Gordons while driving the ambition of CATCH. Our partnership is opening new doors for young people and allowing aspiring lawyers to get an insight into real legal career pathways.”
Sarah Ratcliffe, partner and charity committee lead at Gordons, said the charity provides young people with opportunities to connect with their community, engage with positive role models and develop important life skills. She added that the firm’s focus on social mobility aligns closely with CATCH’s mission and that the partnership has “got off to a great start”.
Over the past decade, colleagues at Gordons have raised more than £185,000 for charities including Bowel Cancer UK, Smart Works Leeds, Centrepoint Bradford, KidsOut and The Friends of Alfie Martin.
