DIY SHS: preparations are underway!
News article from May 22, 2019
We are proud to be working in partnership with Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP (Weil) – a law firm under their strategy titled: ‘Improving Lives and Raising Aspirations 2023’. Between 2019 and 2023, our Corporate fundraising team will arrange employee engagement through SHS volunteering, fundraising, and team challenge opportunities for Weil staff so that they can:
- Raise the aspirations of disadvantaged students;
- Help parents into employment;
- Provide practical support for families in need at key times like Christmas and summer holidays;
- Increase literacy by donating books to schools and pupils and by taking part in numeracy and literacy programmes;
- Improve the homes of families.
Our flagship event for 2019 is the Weil ‘DIY SHS’ challenge – a one-day event during the May half-term. Over 20 volunteers from Weil’s London office will makeover the family homes of two students attending Maryland Primary School, with additional volunteers providing office-based planning and design support.
Each family will be taken out for the whole day by other Weil volunteers whilst the work is taking place – and will return to be wowed by the big reveal in the evening! Sevgi Kor, the SHS Practitioner based at this school, works very closely with both families and selected them based on their clear need for additional support.
“To be selected for the Weil ‘DIY SHS’ home makeover challenge has truly given me faith in humanity. I am truly humbled and thankful for this opportunity. This will have a profound impact on mine and my children’s lives and their schooling. Thank you!” – Mum
“I feel excited, happy and lucky. As a family, we really appreciated all the support and the opportunities we have been offered by SHS.” – Daughter, aged 11
A group of Weil volunteers first met each family to discuss their needs and compile a wishlist. Both teams have not only agreed to decorate the children’s bedrooms but have also generously decided to extend the makeover of each home to include general living areas.
At the end of April, the volunteers visited the families again to discuss and design mood boards. Both families approved a set of fantastic designs which will transform their home lives and create a positive environment for the children to thrive at home and at school.
Over the next few weeks, the Weil volunteers will continue to plan and raise the funds needed for the makeover of both homes by holding cake sales, sponsored events and asking for donations from colleagues, friends and family.
“DIY SHS is a unique and very special team challenge. More than 20 Weil colleagues have invested a lot of time and thought into transforming the homes the best they can. We simply can’t wait to get cracking on the DIY day. Our ultimate goal is to make the families happy with the results.” – Rob Powell, Head of Pro Bono & Corporate Responsibility, Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP