CSR in Action

CSR in Action

Volunteering Charitable Activity Fundraising Education

Environment Pro-bono

People

Philanthropy

Procurement

Sponsorship...

Community Diversity Risk Ethics Social Compliance

Corporate Governance

“I continue as a non-executive director of EB Scotland. Visit their website to see the various projects that we fund through landfill tax credits all over Scotland: www.ebscotland.co.uk We have also worked with Social Firms in Scotland providing training and guidance on matters arising from the pandemic.

Alastair Dunn

I have a client involved in the provision of services to the deaf. Once we finish their sale Rebecca Ronney, who is learning sign language, is going to have training with them to see how we can make legal services more accessible to people with hearing difficulties.

Lynn Richmond and I mentor on the University of Glasgow’s Business Incubators programme – this has involved delivering training.

“I have been helping a friend on a pro bono basis with a claim for housing benefit to Edinburgh City Council for her severely disabled son. This has involved reading and interpreting the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 which is UK wide legislation. We have submitted a review request to the Council as they initially refused her housing benefit claim. This has involved getting support from various Edinburgh Councillors and my friend’s MP. I approached many law firms to take her case on, but no-one had this kind of specialist knowledge, therefore, I’ve just had to do it myself! I know a lot about the housing benefit regulations and disability rights now.”

Georgia Rose

“In March 2020, I headed to northern Finland for five days to trek in the Arctic Circle in aid of Ayrshire Hospice. The Ayrshire Hospice is a charity which helps patients and their families throughout Ayrshire in providing care and support to those with a terminal illness.

Lynn Richmond

In April 2019, my dad died after having been diagnosed with a brain tumour. The hospice made it possible for my dad to remain at home, where he wanted to be, surrounded by family. Without help from the Hospice that would not have been possible. You can’t put a price on that sort of care, but it does take a huge amount of funding for the Ayrshire Hospice to provide these services. The trip included pulling my equipment in a pulk and camping in temperatures of -30 degrees, but it was all worth it.”

I have also been appointed a trustee of the National Galleries Scotland.

“During lockdown I worked with some contacts of mine in local businesses here in Greenock to establish a Scholarship Programme at my local rugby club Greenock Wanderers RFC. The purpose of the programme is to provide free of charge playing membership, travel expenses, kit and more to local children and young people from disadvantaged areas who otherwise would not be able to afford extra-curricular sports and activities. It has been a labour of love and I hope it will provide a bit of light and a safe space for local young people to learn new skills and make new friends. I think during lockdown it is more important for them than ever to have these stable and reliable support systems.

Beverley Addison

As Captain of our Ladies Team I asked the ladies team to try to raise some funding for some local charities we have been supporting over this tough time, including Inverclyde Children in Poverty and the Make a Wish Foundation. We managed to raise just over £500 in a 24hour charity fitness challenge for them.”

“I am a trustee on the charity The Friends of Woodlands School, I have been for almost ten years! It’s a charity for a special school for secondary school children with severe and complex special needs in Currie in Edinburgh. I set up the Charity for them at the time and help out where I can.

During lockdown, they decided to review their constitution. I attended at the (virtual) AGM and helped out with that to ensure it was legislatively compliant. I also continue to help with that.

My son attends at a facility for disabled adults in Edinburgh called Tipereth. They have lost some of their much needed funding so I have been part of a group of parents working hard with MSPs to try to have that reinstated. I’m also scheduled to abseil from the Forth Road Bridge to raise funds for them. Covid permitting...

I am also a volunteer with the Scottish Child Law Centre.”

Tanya Murray

“I volunteer with a charity called Shared Parenting Scotland. They are all about both parents being involved in their children’s lives and not just fathers. They are about helping parents and engaging with the Scottish Government to try and improve things.

Debbie Reekie

My role is usually attending monthly meetings in Edinburgh City Centre, although the meetings are currently taking place by skype.

The meetings are open to anyone and the purpose is for individuals to talk about their situation and get advice now from other people who may have been in a similar situation. I provide legal advice and insight into how the court might deal with their case. I get regular email queries which I answer as well.

Otherwise, I am a committee member of WILS (Women in Law Scotland) and recently spoke at the Law Society of Scotland Inclusion and Diversity Law Fair about my career path (so far!) and the impact of being female in the legal profession.

Lastly, I volunteer with Edinburgh University Free Legal Advice Clinic (FLAC). This is an initiative for the diploma students at Edinburgh University. They operate as a charity and their diploma students meet real clients and with a solicitor’s help, prepare an advice letter.

Again, this used to be in person but will be taking place remotely going forward.”

“I am a supervising solicitor at the University of Edinburgh’s Free Legal Advice Clinic. This has just started up again, but I hope to soon be assisting students again with providing free advice to individuals on family law matters.”

Brittany Thomas

“I’ve been giving students some career inspiration by presenting at events run by the University of Glasgow - ‘The Big Brave’- and The Law Society of Scotland - ‘Career Changers: How to become a solicitor’. This has involved sharing my career journey from being a former artist and tour manager in the music/media industry to becoming a solicitor, and illustrating how I’ve used experience gained in my former career in my role as a lawyer for the creative industries.”

Jonathan Tait

“I am a qualified Mental Health First Aider. Throughout lockdown, I’ve taken the initiative to keep the team’s spirits up and sent out supportive emails with guidance to BTO’s insurance team and going forward HR team, ranging from tips on how to work from home, guidance on how to keep a clear head when struggling, signs to look out for within a colleague and their behaviour, as well as covering the topic of suicide awareness, and the list goes on...

Jordan Stewart

Outwith work, I have created a Facebook group for the members in my local area – within the group we post and go into detail about each mental health, health and fitness, working through lock down etc. We also do online zoom calls. We’ve had the group published in the Daily Record, joined a partnership with Lanarkshire Association of Mental Health and I am currently liaising with the Morrison’s Community Support Team in the local area to hold group sessions.”

“During lockdown, I made an application to volunteer as a ‘speaker’ for Guide Dogs. “What does being a speaker involve?

• • •

Kirsteen Maclean

•

Identifying and sourcing opportunities to deliver talks to groups, clubs and organisations in my local area. sharing life changing stories, highlighting the difference Guide Dogs continue to make to the lives of people living with sight loss. attending cheque presentations and corporate supporters of Guide Dogs when requested by the local Guide Dogs team in order to grow their support and pass on any donations received. encouraging local organisations and groups to support and fundraise for Guide Dogs….I am now in training.” :-)

“I am a director of Townhead Village Hall and I provide them with pro-bono legal advice.”

Karen Brodie

“I am a Committee Member, and former Vice President, of East Kilbride Athletic Club (a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation or “SCIO”).

Fraser Hopkins

I was involved with the club as an athlete (and committee member) back in the 1980s, but then dropped out of it until my son wanted to join about 8 years ago. I started helping out and did some coaching of the younger groups too for a few years. I even got back in to competing for a couple of seasons!

At about the same time, the Club was involved in a project to construct new facilities at the track, so I offered to join the committee and deal with that on the club’s behalf. After that project concluded, I have remained on the committee to assist with the day to day running of the club.”

“I volunteer as chair of the local village Primary School’s Parents’ Teacher Council.

We hold quarterly meetings and conduct significant fund raising activities for the village school raising £1500 £3000 per annum, all to be used for the benefit of the pupils. Over the last 12 months we have provided significant support for the purchase of teaching resources for the school and pupils in the face of the challenges presented by COVID. I am also undertaking the SFA Coaching courses assisting in the coaching of Beith Juniors under 9 Girls football team.”

Alasdair Gillies

“My crafting activities have kept me going through lockdown. I have been making various floral arrangements and giving them away to neighbours, family and friends. I did a weekly surprise doorstep delivery. I have also made MDF rainbows and rainbow pictures and given them away too.”

Shona Currie

Reducing our carbon footprint and environmental impact

BTO has been successfully reducing our carbon footprint and environmental impact during lockdown as a result of only a few of us travelling to work on a regular basis, fewer cups of coffee being consumed in the office and the firm becoming almost paper free overnight!

CSR in Action

2 1

3 4 5

Employee Assistance Programme Available 24/7