Leicestershire-based legal firm Johnson Astills has named The Carpenter’s Arms as its Charity of the Year.
A rolling programme of support will be implemented over the coming year, starting with accredited therapy training for five support workers. Recognising the therapeutic benefit of gardening, the firm has also committed to providing 15 fruit trees and topsoil for raised vegetable beds as part of The Carpenter’s Arms Malone Meadows ‘field to fork’ initiative.
Johnson Astills solicitor Jasmine Lees said: “Johnson Astills is committed to giving back through its Corporate Social Responsibility Committee and The Carpenter’s Arms stood out as a charity very deserving of our support.
“I work in child protection and as a police station representative and every day see clients who have struggles with substance misuse, some who unquestionably would not find themselves in the justice system had they been sufficiently supported in the community.
“Sadly, many are repeat clients owing to offences associated with drug and alcohol misuse. Breaking that cycle is key and The Carpenter’s Arms offers an important but scarce resource in our community to do just that.”
Chair of trustees at The Carpenter’s Arms, Judith Spence, added: “We’re delighted that, having seen first-hand the work we do and having spent time with some of our residents, Johnson Astills took the decision to lend us their support.
“Structured therapy like CBT and DBT offers appropriate challenges to behaviours associated with addiction, and Johnson Astills’s donation will help us ensure many more men benefit from this intervention. We’re really looking forward to working with them more closely over the coming months.”
