Outstanding achievement in legal pro bono was celebrated at the LawWorks Annual Pro Bono Awards and Lecture kindly hosted and supported by the Law Society. The Awards recognised and celebrated excellence in legal pro bono undertaken by organisations and individuals, and the dedication and commitment of the legal sector to positively impact individuals and communities.

The evening was hosted by Paddy O’Connell, broadcaster and presenter of Radio 4’s ‘Broadcasting House’. Guests from across the pro bono, advice and legal aid sectors, were welcomed by Christina Blacklaws, Vice-President of the Law Society and Alasdair Douglas, Chair of LawWorks. James Harper, Executive Sponsor, Rule of Law and CSR at Lexis Nexis UK also offered a few words as the awards sponsors.

Winners were chosen in nine categories representing the breadth and range of pro bono delivery across the profession in England and Wales. Michael Napier QC was honoured with an award for Outstanding Commitment to Pro Bono which was presented by the Solicitor-General, Robert Buckland QC MP.

Hilarie Bass, President of the American Bar Association (ABA) delivered the Annual lecture referencing law debates across both sides of the Atlantic; she said ‘the phrase “Equal justice under law” is engraved on the front of the United States Supreme Court building..but the idea is older and comes from Runneymede and Magna Carta.’ Ms Bass spoke about a growing “justice gap” in both the UK and US, and the importance of pro bono as a shared commitment to equal justice under the law.

LawWorks Chief Executive Martin Barnes said, ‘Congratulations to the winners and all the shortlisted nominees for the valuable work they are doing which is positively impacting individuals, families and communities across England and Wales. The judges were truly inspired by the range and quality of legal pro bono being delivered and the commitment of the legal profession to pro bono. I would like to thank Hilary Bass and Paddy O’Connell for helping to make the evening such a huge success’.

James Harper, Executive Sponsor, Rule of Law and CSR for LexisNexis UK & Ireland said, ‘On behalf of LexisNexis I would like to congratulate all those nominated, for their dedication and commitment to enabling access to justice. Lexis Nexis is honoured to support the LawWorks Pro Bono Awards which raise awareness of the impressive range of pro bono projects being delivered across the country.’

Winners

The winners of the Awards were:

• Best Contribution by a Small Firm - Joint winners: Curtis Law Solicitors LLP, and Hugh Jones Solicitors
• Best Contribution by a Firm with an English Regional Head Office - Muckle LLP
• Best Contribution by a Firm with a London Head Office - Duncan Lewis Solicitors
• Best Contribution by an International Firm - Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
• Best Contribution by an In-House Team - Microsoft Limited
• Best Contribution by an Individual - Joint nominees: Rebecca Greenhalgh, Ashurst LLP, and Felicity Kirk, Ropes & Gray LLP
• Junior Lawyers Division Pro Bono Award - Josh Little, Allen & Overy LLP
• The LawWorks Cymru Award - Citizens Advice Rhondda Cynon Taff
• Most Effective Pro Bono Partnership - Debevoise & Plimpton LLP and Haringey Law Centre
• Outstanding Contribution to Pro Bono - Michael Napier QC

Walsall College, are all geared up to start playing Futsal after receiving a free starter pack – news that has delighted Michael Skubala, England Futsal Head Coach.

The pack contains a set of Futsal goals, balls, disc`s and bibs, which will help the College deliver Futsal sessions for students, staff and members of the community.

The starter packs are designed to adapt existing sports halls, playgrounds and other hard surface facilities to make them Futsal-ready. The packs came courtesy of a £300,000 Futsal scheme, which is funded by The FA and delivered by the Football Foundation.

Futsal is a five-a-side game, normally played on a flat indoor pitch with hockey-sized goals and a size four ball with a reduced bounce. The exciting, fast-paced game is played across the world and is officially recognised by both UEFA and FIFA.

Regarded as an important and growing game, it is hoped that the provision of equipment and courses will lead to the development of more Futsal players, leagues, competitions and facilities across the country.

The nature of the game places a large emphasis on technical skill and ability in situations of high pressure, and is subsequently an excellent breeding ground for football competencies that can be translated into the 11-a-side format of the game.

As well as delivering the Futsal scheme, the Football Foundation delivers grow the Game and also the Premier League & the FA Facilities Fund on behalf of the Premier League, The FA and the Government, through Sport England. Since 2000, the Foundation has supported over 15,000 grassroots projects worth more than £1.4bn.

Michael Skubala, England Futsal Head Coach, said: “A big well done to Walsall College for securing a Futsal starter pack – they have a bright future ahead of them now! We want to get more people playing the sport for the love of it and who knows; perhaps we’ll see some future international players unearthed as a result. Futsal is growing all the time and The FA, with the help of the Football Foundation, is dedicated to increasing its importance and popularity further For All.”

Mark Howard, Football Academy Manager, at Walsall College, said: “It’s great for Walsall College to have this pack, as it ensures that we can deliver Futsal at the highest level to anyone wishing to get involved. We would like to thank the FA and Football Foundation for the original investment.”

Previously named ‘The Extra Mile’, Walsall College’s volunteering programme was rebranded to further promote voluntary work opportunities both within and outside the college.

The programme’s new name ‘Give and Take’ was initiated by Gail Houghton, Student Engagement Co-Ordinator at Walsall College.

Gail and Helen Griffiths, the college’s Student Engagement Officer, asked Graphic Design tutors to advertise the brand design opportunity to their students. More than 10 students volunteered their time to design a logo for the programme to a tight two-week timescale.

David Parkins, a Level 5 HND Top-Up degree in Graphic Design, met the deadline and presented a design that fitted the brief closely.

He said: “I felt I should take the volunteering opportunity, as a way of doing more in my spare time to develop my portfolio through developmental projects such as Walsall College’s volunteering rebrand.

I felt a project like this was a good way to give back to my community, whilst reaping the employability-related benefits of the experience, which is what Give and Take is all about.”

The Give and Take volunteering programme offers students the opportunity to volunteer either inside the college or with an organisation or charity. The programme aims to help students develop a wide range of skills, including team work, leadership skills, verbal and written communication, interpersonal skills, organisation skills, problem solving, and maths and English skills.

Gail Houghton said: “David has done an amazing job in producing our new logo, which perfectly represents what the programme is about: giving and taking.

Give and Take is a great opportunity for students to develop the skills employers say they are looking for. We also promote various opportunities with organisations and charities including the NHS, Acorns Hospice and One Walsall Volunteering Centre, who have delivered volunteering awareness sessions to students and attended various events we organise in college.”

Walsall College offer a wide range of courses in subjects including Business and Computing, Creative Industries, Foundation Learning; Construction, Engineering & Science; Health and Public Services and Services to People.

From inspirational teachers to pupils who have persevered against the odds, and from star footballers to a stratospheric teddy bear, the Outstanding for All Awards put educational achievement in Haringey centre stage.

The ceremony at Alexandra Palace showcased the teachers, staff, governors and pupils whose exceptional efforts have helped make education in Haringey best in class.

Excited nominees and supporters packed Ally Pally’s Panorama Room, where TV star and Haringey resident Jacqueline Shepherd was joined on stage by local students Melisa Alpdogan (Woodside High) and Tyriek Clement (Gladesmore Community School) to host the event, which is now in its fifth year.

Jacqueline said:

“What an honour to be here and to see Alexandra Palace packed with so many people celebrating together, sharing their pride and saying ‘well done’ and ‘thank you’ for your achievements.”

Jacqueline ShepherdAwards were given out in 12 categories, which drew more than 100 nominations from local parents, children, school staff and teachers keen to celebrate achievements in schools and children’s centres across the borough.

Awards presenters included Haringey Council Leader Claire Kober; the Mayor of Haringey Cllr Stephen Mann; Haringey Borough Police Commander Chief Superintendent Helen Millichap, and Tottenham Hotspur legend Ledley King – who delighted the audience by handing out the Achievement in Sport Award and confirming that nominees in all categories would be treated to a Spurs home game, quipping: “You’re all winners, because you’ve all won Spurs tickets.”

Guests were also treated to spectacular performances from some of the borough’s most talented young stars, including the Gidde Bille African Drumming group from Everyone’s Climbing Tree; Haringey Vox Junior Choir; St Thomas More School Dancers; Alexandra Park School Jazz Band, and singers Tyriek and Melisa.

Cllr Elin Weston, Haringey Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, who presented the Overcoming Adversity award, said:

“What an absolutely fantastic evening. It made me immensely proud to be at Ally Pally with so many exceptional pupils, teachers, staff and governors and to hear just some of their incredible success stories.

“The awards gave us the chance to say thank you to the teachers who have changed young people’s lives for the better; to the support staff who ensure our children have the best opportunities in life; to the governors who support our schools, and to the children themselves – whose determination is an inspiration to us all.

“Thank you to everyone who nominated and congratulations to every one of our winners and nominees.”

The full list of Outstanding for All Awards 2017 winners is:

Support Staff of the Year – Katy Whitney, Highgate Primary School Community Hero – Sam Hadfield, St Aidan’s VC Primary School Outstanding STEM Achievement (Primary) – Teddy Bear Launch Team, St Paul’s Catholic Primary School Outstanding STEM Achievement (Secondary) – Girls Making a Global Difference, Woodside High School Apprentice of the Year – Ishen Stewart-Dowding, Haringey Council Overcoming Adversity – Martin Mendonca, West Green Primary School Early Years Champion – Sue Moss, Pembury House Nursery Achievement in Sport – Haringey District Girls’ Football Team Achievement in the Arts – Jackie Lee, Greig City Academy Governor of the Year – Conrad Plentie, Risley Avenue Primary School Teacher of the Year – Jane Daly, Blanche Nevile School for Deaf Children Cllr Egan Achievement Award – Jon Holt, Greig City Academy

The awards were made possible by sponsors Tottenham Hotspur FC, Tiles DIY and Barnet & Southgate College.

One of the most lucrative awards for young creatives trying to get a foothold in the industry has been won by three students from Birmingham City University. Kate Wells, Rosie Clarke and Roberto Cutrera have been named the winners of this year’s DMA Breakthrough Award with their pitch for the Pay Your Way campaign, sponsored by Barclaycard. The winners of the award, which is run in partnership with the Graeme Robertson Trust (GRT), were revealed at the industry night of nights – the DMA Awards.

The DMA’s Breakthrough Award is highly competitive, with the winning team walking away with a cash prize of £1000, the potential to intern at a top agency, not to mention industry clout and, of course, the award. Each year university students battle it out for the chance to impress some of the biggest names in marketing by working on a real creative brief, for a real client or business.

This year’s brief was provided by Barclaycard, who invited students to develop a multi-channel advertising campaign targeted at millennials to build awareness and excitement of Barclaycard’s range of contactless ways to pay. Over 70 students from 13 universities responded to the brief, presenting their best creative ideas, but in the end it came down to just three finalists.

Paul Alexander, Head of Marketing Communications at Barclaycard, said he was genuinely impressed with the quality of ideas on show: “This year’s finalists all did a fantastic job pitching their ideas to the panel. It wasn’t easy, and we took a range of things into account, including: how well students communicated their campaign, their fulfilment of the brief and the creativity and quality of ideas.”

Alexander adds: “Kate, Rosie and Roberto are to be commended for creating a campaign that really cornered the target market – Generation Z, otherwise known as ‘the experience generation’. We wanted the campaign to be about living in the moment and creating moments of unexpected delight. And I think the bPay your own way really invoked that spirit. I’m walking away from this experience feeling as if the industry is in safe hands.”

Kate Burnett, MD of DMA Talent, said: “Each year we receive entries from all over the UK. This year around 40 teams were involved with the competition. It’s great that we’re seeing so much interest in the award, and it only seems increase every year.”

Burnett continues: “At DMA, we try to create as many opportunities as possible for students to get industry exposure. Our message to students is that marketing and advertising is an industry for everyone, there are so many ways in and so many skills sets that are needed, from the analytical to the purely creative. The Breakthrough Award is a great way for students to get a taste of industry life, and from our perspective the Award continues to demonstrate that marketing’s future remains bright.”

Winners of the award, Kate, Rosie and Roberto said the prize would take them a step closer to their goal of working in the industry.

“We’re so excited to be at the Awards tonight. It’s amazing to meet so many people from the industry, together in one room. We genuinely didn’t expect to win, but we really tried to take the feedback from the judges and incorporate it into our campaign. We all brought something different as a team,” said Rosie.

“I think that’s why it came together so well. We all got to express our own strengths – that, and we’ve all got a pretty whacky streak! The next thing we really want is a job!” said Kate.

The DMA Breakthrough Award is one of marketing’s leading awards celebrating the next generation of talent coming into the industry. It’s supported by GRT, founded in memory of legendary Brann creative director Graeme Robertson, and is also part of the DMA Talent team that works to help fresh creative talent break into the industry.

The Chelsea FC Foundation has helped thousands of children worldwide develop their footballing skills with its popular Soccer Schools, and it will launch its newest international junior academy at Spain's five-star La Manga Club resort next Easter.

The Chelsea FC Foundation has helped thousands of children worldwide develop their footballing skills with its popular Soccer Schools, and it will launch its newest international junior academy at Spain's five-star La Manga Club resort next Easter.

The first Soccer School will take place in Murcia from April 9-14, 2018, and offers the chance for youngsters to train using the same methods the Chelsea Foundation employs around the world.

The Easter training camp is the first of a series of junior academies that will be held at the top sports and leisure resort over the next three years, with a further two opportunities to take part next summer from July 2-14 and from August 20 to September 1. Bookings are now being taken for all three.

The Chelsea Foundation, which runs five other international soccer schools, is committed to developing the game across all levels and ages, with the academies at La Manga Club open to boys and girls between the ages of six and 16.

The La Manga Club soccer school includes up to three hours' daily training from the Chelsea Foundation's team of expert coaches, with all participants receiving official Chelsea Foundation training items.

In addition, those taking part will also receive a certificate and medal for their attendance as well as a Chelsea FC Foundation and La Manga Club Nike-branded T-shirt and ball.

Prices start from €295 (approx £260) per person for a week-long training programme, while a family of four can book a seven-night stay in the resort's four-star Las Lomas Village including two soccer school places from €1,850 (approx £1,640). Boasting extensive facilities, including eight FIFA-approved grass pitches, the resort is a popular choice as a destination for domestic and international teams seeking a warm-weather football training break.

La Manga Club's appeal as a world-class destination for football's biggest names is stronger than ever, with no fewer than 75 clubs from 19 different countries having made their way to the award-winning venue for training camps this year, including Chelsea's under-18 and under-23 squads.