Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Responsibility

Berry Smith takes its responsibility to its employees, clients, local and wider community and the environment seriously.

We have an established CSR committee whose remit includes: monitoring the firm’s environmental footprint and identifying ways to reduce it, organising fundraising events for our annually chosen charities and understanding issues relevant to employees with a view to providing information and support. The committee is particularly pleased to have virtually eliminated the use of single use plastic from the firm.

We are a member of the Legal Sustainability Alliance which actively promotes environmental sustainability throughout the sector

Our Environmental Policy Statement may be found HERE.

Mental Health First Aiders

We are proud to announce we have set up a team of Mental Health First Aiders to provide support to any colleagues who may be experiencing poor mental health or emotional distress. Following a recommendation by our CSR Committee, whose remit includes the wellbeing of employees, the team have undertaken certified training through St John Ambulance Cymru. This training enables them to recognise the signs that a colleague may be experiencing a mental health crisis and offer initial support and guidance.

The training promotes a five-step action plan where the Mental Health First Aiders can:

  • Act as a point of contact to reassure colleagues experiencing a mental health issue
  • Listen and communicate non-judgementally
  • Give emotional support and hope for recovery
  • Signpost colleagues to professional help
  • Encourage other forms of help and support including self-help strategies

Since the pandemic there has been a greater focus on mental health, we recognise that providing support to colleagues in this area is just an important as physical first aid. We are keen to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and by introducing Mental Health First Aiders we hope to change attitudes by encouraging colleagues to have open and positive discussions about their mental health and wellbeing.

Jane Emery, Practice Manager at Berry Smith LLP said: ‘I know how important it is to create a safe and supportive work environment and increasing awareness of positive mental health is key to this. By introducing Mental Health First Aiders we can provide a means of support to our colleagues and point them in the right direction for accessing appropriate services, which will make a real difference to their health and wellbeing.”

What Our Clients Say