Corporate Social Responsibility
As the largest employer in our local area, we recognise how much of an impact our choices, practices and policies have on those around us and the environment. We want to ensure that our continued growth is positive for our local communities and customers while we do all we can to minimise our impact environment.
How Express Solicitors is helping the environment and local community
In addition to the charity work we do, we have created a Corporate Social Responsibility programme, which is comprised of three parts:
- Helping the environment
- Supporting our local community
- Providing free legal support
Helping the Environment
We recognise that helping the environment is an ongoing responsibility that requires constant self-evaluation.
Below are the ways in which we are helping to reduce our impact on the planet.
Reducing Our Carbon Footprint
Express is proud to be among the first businesses to use the RBS Carbon Planner, which measures our carbon footprint and sets targets to reduce emissions. Since moving to our head office in South Manchester, we’ve installed double-glazed windows, cutting energy use by 30%, and replaced gas heating with energy-efficient heat pumps, saving 60% of energy.
Minimising Travel
As a forward-thinking company, we embraced remote meetings early on by equipping all our meeting rooms with the latest webcams and microphones, enabling our team to communicate with each other and third parties without costing the earth.
Ride2Work
Since 2018 we offer staff a Ride2Work scheme to help with the cost of buying a new bicycle. The scheme also includes a £60 voucher to go towards accessories (such as pumps or repair kits) and one year’s free servicing as standard.
Work from Home Policy
We actively encourage our staff to work from home where possible by allowing them to work 50% of their days out of the office.
This policy has been well received and hope that other firms and companies will take this approach as the typical motorist creates around 4.6 tonnes of C02 per year, we hope to improve our collective carbon footprint by halving our team’s trips to the office.
IT equipment has been provided to all our staff, to ensure they can keep providing the highest standard of care to our clients no matter where they are.
Cycle-Friendly Facilities
We do everything we can to make cycle commuting as convenient and pleasant for our team as possible. Our office facilities include showers, drying cupboards and secure bicycle storage, allowing our staff to ride to work without having to worry about the safety of their bicycle. We also keep a bicycle pump and emergency repair tools on hand in case anyone has a puncture!
EV Scheme
We have electric vehicle (EV) charging points at our offices available to both staff and visitors. We also have an employee EV scheme, which is available to all partners as well as staff with over 4 year’s service.
Reduce, Re-use and Recycle
We reduce our paper use by printing less, using recycled paper for essential leaflets and encourage staff to recycle. We also provide reusable water bottles and coffee cups, place recycling bins throughout our offices, share regular guidance on being more environmentally aware and continually look for new ways to lessen our impact.
Supporting our local community
In addition to our wider charity projects, Express Solicitors is very proud to support charities and groups which operate in the South Manchester area where we our head office is based.
Community Walks
We have partnered with Northenden-based coffee shop Boxx2Boxxx to sponsor a weekly walk organised by the mental health charity Thrive, allowing all participants to enjoy a free coffee at the end. Over the past two years, we have funded more than 1,000 cups of coffee and supported hundreds of local people.
Community Sponsorship
Sponsoring local sports teams allows us to make a positive difference in our community as well as encourage healthier lifestyles. Pictured above is the All Saints Catholic College girls’ football team, based in Manchester, with kits we have sponsored for the season.
Local Charities and Schools
We work closely with local schools and charities, supporting fundraising, donation initiatives and promoting their services. Pictured above is Stewart Whittingham of Northenden Community School holding donated summer raffle prizes.
Providing free legal support
Our team has a track record of helping those who are in no position to pay for legal services by offering free advice and consultations to investigate their potential cases or claims rejected by other law firms. If it is a query outside of our field of expertise, we will always strive to signpost people to another organisation that can help.