Legal Experts’ ‘Christmas Shopping With A Twist’ For The Cathedral Archer Project

In the wake of Black Friday and Cyber Monday employees at law firm Irwin Mitchell are teaming up with a charity that supports homeless people across Sheffield for some Christmas shopping with a twist.

On Friday 1 December, around 50 staff from the law firm’s headquarters in Sheffield will be using part of their volunteering allowance to spend a day taking part in a scavenger hunt to support the Cathedral Archer Project as they prepare to help the homeless over Christmas.

The charity, which is based round the corner from the city centre office, helps homeless and vulnerable people in the city to change their lives for the better.

The volunteers have been divided into teams who will compete to secure as many items as possible on the 'shopping list' provided by the Archer Project.

We can't reveal what is on that list until the big day but one thing is for certain – teams will need to think creatively to make sure each item is ticked off the list.

Volunteers will need to use their contacts, powers of persuasion, team work and problem solving skills to get as many of the desirable items as possible.

Each item will be worth a certain amount of points and the team with the most points by the end of the day will be crowned winners.

The day will start with a briefing and tour of the Archer Project so all the volunteers get a better understanding of the work undertaken at the centre.

All participants will receive a lunch provided by the team at the cathedral – some of who have been former clients of the charity who have gone on to retrain and secure employment through their programme.

Head of Business Legal Services for Irwin Mitchell’s Sheffield office, Dorrien Peters, who is also a trustee of the charity, said: 

Expert Opinion

The Archer Project do amazing work to help people who are affected by homelessness and poverty. This includes support for issues such as substance abuse, regaining independence, improving wellbeing, careers advice, physical, mental and dental health check-ups and so much more.

All members of staff at Irwin Mitchell have 14 hours per year to volunteer in the community and activities like this allow us to help others while developing skills we may not get to use in our day jobs. Winter and Christmas are often desperate times for homeless people and it is the least we can do to recognise the issue and offer our support.
Dorrien Peters - Partner

Tracy Viner from the Archer Project said: "We’re really grateful that so many volunteers are coming out to support us.  The items on the list might surprise you but they are items that we use all the time, for the people who use the project and to help us run the centre.  The time and effort the volunteers are putting in on the day will help us change lives."

The charity work being undertaken by staff at Irwin Mitchell’s Sheffield office isn’t ending with the Scavenger Hunt. In keeping with the theme of ‘Christmas shopping with a twist’, a ‘Festive Market’ is being held at the office on Friday evening to raise funds for the office’s charity of the year Paces, a local organisation which help adults and children with motor and neurological disorders. Guests can purchase stocking fillers supplied by local retailers, hear the office choir perform and fill up on mince pies and mulled wine with proceeds going to the charity.