Spotlight
Back on Track and Fieldfisher
Back on Track has been working with the law firm Fieldfisher for over 18 months. In that time over 50 Fieldfisher staff from the Manchester office have volunteered and more than £15,000 has been raised towards our work. We thought it was time we caught up with Lizzy and Ella to reflect on 18 months of a winning partnership - and look to what the future might have in store.
How did you come to choose Back on Track as a charity partner?
Ella: Every two years, we vote on a new charity partner based on nominations from individuals in the firm. I nominated Back on Track because I was passionate about the office supporting a charity which puts people (regardless of background) at the forefront of its ethos. I once knew a wonderful homeless woman who spoke to me about how dehumanised she felt, and how she wished people would simply talk to her as a person and it has always stuck with me.
"Everyone is treated with respect and dignity regardless of their background and past."
Having now worked with the charity, the ethos of the charity shines through. Everyone is treated with respect and dignity regardless of their background and past. The work carried out by the charity clearly impacts their members in an amazing way – as we have had the pleasure to see at the various awards and celebrations which Back on Track kindly invite us to attend.
What made Back on Track a good fit for Fieldfisher?
Lizzy: We’re always looking to partner with charities whose mission resonates with our office, with abundant local impact, and where our people feel inspired to get involved. Back on Track stood out because of its focus on helping people rebuild their lives after facing challenges like homelessness, addiction, or long-term unemployment - it’s a cause that feels close to home for many of us for various reasons, and one where we knew our support could make a real difference to the local Greater Manchester community.
We also look for charities where our support can truly help expand their capacity. Back on Track is the perfect size for that - big enough to deliver substantial change, but small enough that our involvement makes a tangible difference. On a practical level, the partnership offers a wide range of ways to engage, from café volunteering and fundraising to employability workshops and other events.
What has everyone enjoyed most about volunteering for Back on Track?
Lizzy: It goes without saying that volunteering at Swan Kitchens has been such a highlight for our office. Since we started the partnership, so many people from the office have signed up to help out, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Whether it’s prepping food, serving meals, or chatting with members, people have said how much they’ve enjoyed getting stuck in and seeing the charity’s work up close.
Volunteers commented on the positivity of everyone at the Back on Track centre, which made the experience extremely fun. One colleague specifically said it was the best morning they’d had in ages, and another said it was so fantastic they could not even put it into words, which really says it all! It’s been a brilliant way for us to connect with the community and understand the impact of our support. The food is genuinely amazing too (restaurant quality!) and sharing a meal at the end of the shift is a lovely way to round off the experience. I would recommend it to anyone - I promise you won't regret it!
Do you have any personal highlights?
Lizzy: A personal highlight for me has to be the day I volunteered at the café. I whipped up a tasty red pepper soup (although I think my hand slipped with the chilli powder ever so slightly…), helped make brownies and bread rolls, and then assisted with lunch service. It was such a rewarding experience, and so great to see the café in action and meet the other volunteers. It really brought the charity to life for me and I loved every minute - so much so that I'm actually going back next week!
I know a highlight for the office more broadly has to be the fundraising event that we ran in collaboration with 20 Stories back in March. We invited 50 of our clients to enjoy a five-course taster menu, delivered by the restaurants Executive Chef, Dan Scott, and some previous members of Back on Track. We raised an incredible £12,000 from the ticket sales, raffle and lucky dip and I know a fantastic night was had by everyone who attended.
Is there anything you would you love for Fieldfisher and Back on Track to achieve together in the future?
Lizzy: One of the most powerful things Fieldfisher and Back on Track can achieve together is helping to reshape how people perceive charity contributions. Back on Track supports adults who are rebuilding their lives after experiences with homelessness, addiction, mental ill-health, or the criminal justice system. These are often people who’ve faced multiple disadvantages, yet they are also people with enormous resilience, determination and potential. Too often, charity work is seen as a tick-box exercise or a one-way street - those with resources giving to those without. But our partnership with Back on Track has proven the importance of collaboration for greater sustainable impact!
Our staff regularly speak about how much they’ve learned from the people they’ve met at the café or through skilled volunteering sessions, and these interactions challenge assumptions and build empathy. I’d love for our partnership to continue creating these spaces where those preconceptions can be dismantled.
Ultimately, I hope we can continue building a culture within Fieldfisher and beyond where community engagement is about listening, learning, and supporting people as they work to build their own future.
