Scullion LAW’s Community Efforts Celebrated in Scottish Parliament

Laura Cousins, Nicola Buchanan, Carly Russell and Liz Semple at the Home Start community gardens in Maryhill.

Scottish Parliament Applauds our Community Work

We’re proud to share that our long-standing commitment to supporting local families has been officially recognised by the Scottish Parliament, following our latest volunteering day at the Home‑Start Glasgow North and North Lanarkshire (GNNL) hub in Maryhill.

A parliamentary motion, sponsored by Annie Wells MSP, commended our team for its “outstanding support” of the charity, from our hands-on garden transformation and award-winning volunteering to our ongoing fundraising efforts. The motion also recognised our role in helping to build “resilient, thriving communities” and ensuring that vulnerable families feel supported and welcome.

Parliamentary Approval

The Family Team from Scullion LAW participating in cleaning, gardening and painting at the Home Start community gardens in Maryhill. — Scullion LAW’s Family Team participated in cleaning, weeding and painting.

Annie Wells MSP shared her praise for our work:

“Your team’s commitment to community wellbeing is genuinely inspiring – from hands-on efforts to transform the Home-Start garden into a welcoming space for children, to your long-standing fundraising work that has directly enabled the charity to expand its services. The Corporate Volunteer Award at the Home-Start UK Volunteer Awards 2025 is richly deserved and a testament to the culture of compassion and civic spirit at Scullion LAW.”

Trading Court Rooms for Gardening Gloves

This recognition came after six members of our Family Law Team – Judith Higson, Nicola Buchanan, Claire Thomas, Laura Cousins, Liz Semple, and Carly Russell – spent the day volunteering at the Maryhill centre. Together, they cleared, weeded, and painted the outdoor garden area to create a more inviting space for families to enjoy over the summer.

A Team Effort to Support Families

Judith Higson, our Head of Family Law, said:

“It was fantastic to spend the day together as a team, supporting the brilliant work Home‑Start does for families across Glasgow. Getting stuck in with the gardening and painting allowed us to contribute in a hands-on, meaningful way, and we hope the families enjoy the space throughout the summer.”

Home‑Start GNNL, which supports families with young children across Glasgow and North Lanarkshire, relies on volunteers and community partners like us to deliver both emotional and practical support.

Rachel Muir, Fundraising and Partnerships Officer at Home-Start GNNL, added:

“Your kindness and hard work have made a wonderful difference in creating a welcoming and pleasant environment for the families and children we support. We deeply appreciate your time, energy, and generosity!”

Scullions LAW's Family Team of Claire Thomas, Carly Russell, Liz Semple, Judith Higson, Nicola Buchanan and Laura Cousins at the Home Start community gardens in Maryhill. — *Enjoying a tea break:* Claire Thomas, Carly Russell, Liz Semple, Judith Higson, Nicola Buchanan and Laura Cousins.

Partnership with Purpose

This day of volunteering is just one part of our long-term partnership with Home‑Start GNNL. Earlier this year, we were proud to receive the Corporate Volunteer Award at the Home‑Start UK Volunteer Awards, hosted by Kirstie Allsopp, in recognition of our continued fundraising, pro bono legal advice, and hands-on community support.

Award Winning Community Impact

Through our “£1 from every fee note” initiative, we’ve raised over £3,700 for the charity since 2021. Additional fundraising through events like the Glasgow Kilt Walk has helped Home-Start GNNL grow and sustain its services, making a meaningful difference for vulnerable families in our communities.