Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

Freshfields has worked with Business in the Community's (BITC) Business Action on Homelessness (BAOH) team since 2001. The programme was developed to help equip homeless people with the skills, motivation and confidence they need to gain employment, achieve independent living and break the cycle of homelessness. The programme does this by providing work experience, job coaching, informal support schemes and pro bono legal advice.

Community benefits:

• Since the programme began in 2001 Freshfields has hosted over 170 placements.
• Participants cite increased confidence and the sense that obtaining employment is not out of their reach.
• At the end of their placement, participants are provided with references to help with their job search; many are also given mentors who continue to provide support.
• Workshops and presentations are also held during the placements, focusing on improving specific skills.

Business benefits:

• Homelessness is a key theme for Freshfield's CSR programme; an internal CSR survey in 2009 demonstrated that people at Freshfields felt homelessness was an important issue to focus on.
• Clients have provided the firm with a new pool of talent for potential employment.
• Provides opportunity for volunteers to develop their skills, knowledge and gain a sense of achievement.
• We have received 2007, 2008 and 2009 BITC Big Ticks for our Ready for Work programme

Longer term impacts:

• Since the programme began, 15 of the Ready for Work participants have been employed at Freshfields. For example after participating in the Ready for Work programme, Justice Osei-Gyamfi was employed by Freshfields and has now been with the firm for over two years.
• The firm has made significant recruitments savings by recruiting through the scheme rather than via an agency.
• Of the 11 people undertaking work placements at Freshfields in 2010, 45% have taken up full time employment, either paid or voluntary.
• By demonstrating the impact of Ready for Work by firms like Freshfields running the scheme, Business Action on Homelessness has been able to secure additional funding from the government.