Muckle LLP, a leading law firm in the North East, continues to demonstrate its commitment to helping local communities through its ongoing support of a regional sustainability organisation.
Over the past year, Muckle has maintained a close partnership with The North East Community Forest (NECF), a regional organisation that works with volunteers and landowners to plant and maintain trees, hedgerows and woodlands across the region.
As part of Muckle’s ongoing initiative to encourage employees to use their volunteering hours, Muckle donates £1 to NECF for every hour volunteered by its people. So far, the firm has donated £1,680 – the equivalent of planting 336 new trees.
Muckle’s employees receive two days paid leave to volunteer with charities and its lawyers are also encouraged to use their legal expertise to support the community as school governors, trustees and board members of local charities. Senior partner at the firm, Hugh Welch, is a trustee at Clean Slate Solutions, whilst young solicitor Lydia Stewart is a trustee at Choysez, a charity supporting young women. Additionally, senior associate Alison Jones is a trustee at Newcastle Theatre Royal Trust Limited, Museum of London Archaeology and the British Museum.
The work carried out by NECF not only helps make the region become more resilient to climate change but also fosters a greater appreciation for trees and woodlands by engaging the people in North East England in environmental conservation.
Muckle has always been committed to its ESG work including working with SmartCarbon to accurately capture its carbon footprint, as well as delivering other environmental initiatives such as hosting its own clothes swap in aid of local charities.
As a result of this ongoing work, in 2024, Muckle became the first law firm in the North East and Cumbria to achieve B Corporation® accreditation, building on the impact it has already achieved through its ESG initiatives.
Ross Weddle, Chair of the North East Community Forest, said: “Business supporters like Muckle LLP make a real difference to the North East Community Forest. Their contribution doesn’t just plant trees-it helps us unlock matched government funding through the Trees for Climate programme, meaning every pound goes further. Support like this enables us to create greener streets, plant hedgerows, and establish new woodlands across our region. Together, we’re growing a healthier, more resilient North East for generations to come.
Nicola Leyden, Director of HR at Muckle, said: “As a responsible business caring for our local communities and environment has always been at the heart of everything we do. Through our partnership with NECF, we are demonstrating our commitment to our ESG goals and showing how we can make a real difference.
“Our volunteer hours donation scheme is a natural extension of our commitment to sustainable business and community engagement. By linking our people’s time to meaningful impact, we’re helping grow our region’s green future together.”
To find out more about Muckle ESG strategies, visit: www.muckle-llp.com/aboutus/environmental-social-governance
To find out more about the North East Community Forest visit: northeastcommunityforest.org.uk