Muckle continues to support Teesside charity with trustee role

Hugh Welch, senior partner and lawyer in our corporate team, has been appointed a trustee of a charity in Middlesbrough that helps people across Teesside and North Yorkshire with a past conviction get into paid employment.

Clean Slate Solutions provides dedicated employment mentors to support helping candidates acquire new skills and the necessary certifications, refining interview techniques, and connecting them with employers.

Hugh was introduced to the charity after it benefited from a £3,000 grant from Muckle’s Community Fund at The Community Foundation, which helped 22 beneficiaries get into full-time work. Since then, the relationship between the two organisations has grown, cumulating with Hugh taking on the role of trustee for the charity.

Promoting employability

Hugh said: “I initially connected with Richard and the team through our community fund and was very impressed with the work they do and the impact that has on the local community. It can be incredibly difficult to reintegrate into society after leaving the criminal justice system, and I was surprised to learn how much the level and quality of support to prepare for this within the prison system can vary.”

“Working with organisations that promote employability within the region is important to both me and the firm, so I am delighted to be able to take up a trustee role at Clean Slate Solutions.”

Richard Brice, founder and head of operations for the charity, said: “Muckle is hugely committed to supporting the community, making an enormous difference to grassroots organisations in the region.

“The unrestricted financial support from Muckle allowed us to concentrate on transforming more lives. Having Hugh on board as a trustee is fantastic for us; the backup of a trusted legal organisation we can approach for help and advice has already been invaluable.”

Muckle’s values and culture

Hugh added: “Giving back is central to our values and culture. We believe all actions, big and small, can move the needle in a positive direction. It’s never just a simple donation. We work hard to maintain and build our relationships with the charities so we can make more of an impact through volunteering and pro bono work.

“I genuinely believe that businesses can and should be forces for good, and that’s what drives us forward. Our firm has gained so much over the years from the relationships we’ve built in the community. We’re extremely proud to work alongside these fantastic charities.”

Find out more about our ESG work and watch the video to see how Clean Slate Solutions are impacting people’s lives.