At Blake Morgan, we are committed to using our position to contribute to the social, economic, and cultural well-being of the communities we serve.
We take pride in the impact we have made through various social value initiatives and partnerships with communities and charities in Wales. We work to align ourselves with Wales’ Wellbeing of Future Generations goals. Here is a snapshot of our activities in 2024, and what we’ll progress in the year ahead.
Empowering communities & future generations
A key focus of our work is empowering individuals and communities. In March, we launched #SheWho in collaboration with partner organisations.
The largest International Women’s Day celebration in Wales, the event brought together over 300 people to celebrate women through inspiring talks and activities.
The event highlighted the vital roles of women in society and business, demonstrating our commitment to advancing gender equality.
Another major focus has been supporting young people. Through our Growing Ambitions programme, we provide work experience to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, helping future generations build skills and raise their aspirations.
Growing Ambitions provides a valuable opportunity to explore career paths they might not have considered, and it has been recognised with industry awards from the Chartered Institute of Housing.
We partnered with Llamau to highlight homelessness in Wales. During an event at our Cardiff office, we heard from representatives of Upstream Cymru, a project that prevents homelessness through early intervention for vulnerable young people. Our Chair’s annual report highlights further activities that support our communities.
We collaborated with organisations across Wales to organise our inaugural Social Value in Business conference in October 2024, co-produced by the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, Principality Building Society, CEIC, and Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Together, we exchanged knowledge, insights, and actions aimed at building a more equitable, prosperous, and sustainable Wales.
We continue to build on the actions identified, including the Apprentice Network, established and hosted at our office in November 2024.
Promoting diversity, equity & inclusion
We recognise the importance of a more equitable Wales by creating diverse and inclusive workplaces that reflect the communities and society we serve. We were proud to be recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers.
In July, we hosted ‘See It Be It’, an event designed to inspire underrepresented groups to realise their potential. The event, which focused on the journeys of resilient women from the South Wales valleys, aimed to show attendees that anything is possible with the right support and visibility.
We also participated in Cardiff Commitment’s ‘Open Your Eyes Week’, engaging with school pupils to showcase the numerous opportunities within the legal profession. By sharing insights into our work, we aim to inspire young people—particularly those from backgrounds often underrepresented in the sector—to consider pursuing careers in the legal sector.
Supporting career development
Social mobility is central to many of our social value initiatives. In July, we supported the Young People’s Work Experience Conference at the Senedd Cymru, an event designed to inspire young people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds to realise their ambitions.
In addition to Growing Ambitions, we partnered with GROW Mentoring and offered one-to-one support to first-generation university attendees or those with caring responsibilities.
We also provided work experience via the GO Wales initiative, which supports the employability of young students on higher education courses in Wales who have faced barriers in accessing higher education or work experience.
In September, we were proud to host and speak at the inaugural joint summer scheme event organised by the Legal Wales Foundation and Lord Edmund Davies Legal Education Trust for its alumni. The event offered alumni valuable networking opportunities and practical insights into the legal profession.
These initiatives are crucial for opening doors for young people and supporting their journey into the workforce.
Supporting good causes
Charity partnerships remain a significant focus for Blake Morgan. In 2024, we selected Wales Air Ambulance as our Charity of the Year, raising over £5,000 through various events, including a charity walk and participation in the Principality Cardiff Half Marathon. We also organised Lunch and Learn sessions, where we welcomed members of the Wales Air Ambulance crew to our office to raise awareness of the charity’s vital work.
Our commitment to supporting good causes extends beyond fundraising efforts. Through our involvement with 2B Enterprising, we have supported young people at Hywel Dda Primary School by donating resources, sponsoring a logo competition, and providing winter clothing for vulnerable families. For this academic year, we have also partnered with Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Castellau.
We are also proud to continue our collaboration with Moxie—Working Wardrobe. This partnership assists job seekers in South Wales in preparing for the workforce by providing interview outfits and CV writing support.
Looking ahead: continuing our commitment to social impact
Looking ahead, we believe that the legal sector plays a vital role in driving social change.
At Blake Morgan, we remain committed to using our resources and influence to foster a fairer, more inclusive society.
We strive to create a lasting impact by investing in communities, promoting diversity, and supporting initiatives that break down barriers.
As we approach another exciting and busy year ahead, we remain dedicated to shaping a brighter, more equitable future for Wales. This is a profound privilege and a responsibility we embrace with purpose and determination.