Thompsons' clients receive practical and emotional support from a number of Scottish charities. These organisations provide vitally important services for people who have suffered as a result of accidents, abuse, and discrimination, and they strive to protect future generations from suffering in the same ways. We are proud to work alongside a number of leading charities.
Action on Asbestos: Industrial Injury & Disease (formerly Clydeside Action on Asbestos)
For more than 35 years, Action on Asbestos has provided a free support service to anyone in Scotland diagnosed with asbestos-related disease, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural thickening, and pleural plaques. As well as supporting their everyday work and providing legal representation for the people they assist, Thompsons has campaigned and fundraised alongside the Action on Asbestos team.
Action on Asbestos works tirelessly to provide practical and emotional support to individuals and their families affected by asbestos-related diseases. The charity also funds various health-related services across Scotland, including research into cutting-edge technologies for the investigation, diagnosis, and treatment of lung cancer and asbestos-related diseases. Additionally, AoA funds specialist nursing positions and professional development support for nurses who work with patients affected by asbestos.
Over the years, Thompsons has collaborated with Action on Asbestos on several notable legal debates and changes to legislation, including the Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill, which restored the rights of Scottish pleural plaque victims to compensation. The contributions made by AoA and Thompsons' Frank Maguire were highly praised by Duncan McNeil, Labour MSP for Greenock at the time.
Action on Asbestos is also currently campaigning for the removal of asbestos from Scotland's schools and supporting the Liability for NHS Charges (Treatment of Industrial Disease) (Scotland) Bill, which could allow the NHS to claim back the costs associated with diagnosing and treating people with asbestos-related diseases from insurers once a party has been found liable in a civil claim.
Laura Blane, a partner at Thompsons and a long-time specialist in asbestos disease civil claims, has worked alongside AoA for many years. She says, "I am extremely proud of the achievements Thompsons and Action on Asbestos have made in respect of the compensation rights of patients with asbestos-related diseases and the many other changes to the law and process that together we have proposed and campaigned for. The work carried out by the charity, as they tirelessly provide support and resources for individuals suffering from industrial disease and their families, is extraordinary. We wholeheartedly encourage and champion their service and campaigning."
Mesothelioma UK
Thompsons Solicitors Scotland is proud to work alongside Mesothelioma UK, a charity dedicated to supporting those affected by mesothelioma. Through this partnership, we are committed to offering comprehensive legal guidance and compassionate support to individuals and families impacted by mesothelioma and other asbestos conditions. Mesothelioma UK plays a vital role in providing specialist nursing services, ensuring they receive the best care and support throughout their diagnosis and treatment.
At Thompsons, we understand the devastating impact of asbestos exposure and are dedicated to securing justice and compensation for victims. Our collaboration with Mesothelioma UK allows us to strengthen the support network for those affected by asbestos-related diseases, providing legal expertise alongside the charity’s medical and emotional assistance. Together, we aim to help individuals navigate this challenging journey and ensure they receive the care, compensation, and recognition they deserve.
Wellbeing Scotland
Set up in 1994, Wellbeing Scotland provides a range of holistic services for people across Scotland who have been negatively affected by their life experiences. Members of Thompsons Survivors Team work closely with Wellbeing Scotland to ensure they can offer appropriate, guided care and compassion to abuse survivors who are seeking legal redress.
Under the umbrella of Wellbeing Scotland, several support services provide specific support to individuals whose childhood experiences have negatively affected their lives:
- Open Secret: A specialised support service for survivors of childhood abuse and trauma. Open Secret aims to empower individuals to move forward from the impact of trauma by providing highly specialised and confidential support. The charity's team of trauma-trained specialists provides counseling and befriending services, advocacy support for practical issues, and group sessions offering safe spaces to share experiences and support other survivors.
- In Care Survivors: Providing focused and confidential support to people who have experienced childhood trauma while in a care setting. In Care Survivors aims to break down the barriers that often arise due to a lack of trust in organisations. The charity provides psychological and physiological well-being support, helping individuals navigate their recovery journey.
Thompsons' abuse claim solicitors and legal practitioners from the Survivors Team work closely with Wellbeing Scotland and have received specialised trauma-informed training. This ensures that the claimant is always at the centre of the case. Laura Connor, head of Thompsons Survivors Team, says, "I have had the privilege of working alongside Wellbeing Scotland and I regularly witness the benefits of their excellent work. Wellbeing Scotland wants to ensure justice for survivors of abuse and it is our belief that, as a legal firm, we can provide caring and sensitive support and representation for survivors. We are also proud to join forces with Wellbeing Scotland to highlight Scotland's terrible legacy of abuse so that, as a nation, we can prevent more people suffering the same tragedies."
Headway in Scotland
Headway, the brain injury association, is a UK-wide charity promoting awareness and understanding of all aspects of brain injury. The organisation campaigns for improved safety measures to prevent incidences of brain injury. It provides information and support for those who have suffered a brain injury and assists family members.
Headway in Scotland has 13 groups and branches, and a number of Thompsons solicitors are prominent members. Headway's mission is to promote understanding of brain injury and provide information, support, and dedicated services to brain injury survivors and their families. The charity also campaigns to increase safety across multiple fields, including in sports, workplaces, and homes, ultimately aiming to reduce the number of people affected by brain injury each year.
Another important part of Headway's work is promoting improvement in brain injury screening, acute care, assessment, rehabilitation, and community reintegration. A widespread network of locally run groups and branches is supported by Headway UK, with each local body offering advice and access to a range of services, including brain injury rehabilitation programs, carer support, social reintegration, community outreach, and respite care.
Glen Millar, at Thompsons, says, "As a law firm, we regularly see the tragic effects of traumatic brain injury on both the injury victim and their families. We work extremely hard to ensure that our clients receive the justice they deserve when their injuries have been caused by another party. We are proud to work with Headway, and our longstanding partnership spans many years. Our staff members are passionate about the work the charity carries out and many have taken lead voluntary roles in local Headway groups. This allows us to provide a really holistic service that can signpost all the options and support services available for head injury claimants."
Show Racism the Red Card
As the UK's leading anti-racism educational charity, Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) provides workshops, training sessions, and a host of resources to help tackle racism across society. In the 1990s, professional footballer Shaka Hislop suffered racist abuse but realised his status as a footballing role model provided him with a platform to begin educating those around him and across wider society.
Thompsons is proud to be actively engaged in fighting discrimination and, alongside our work supporting SRtRC, we work with the Scotland Professional Footballers' Union. SRtRC focuses on taking a strong anti-racism message into schools and workplaces, providing videos and education packs to help challenge misconceptions, stereotypes, and negative attitudes. Backed by some of the biggest names in British football, including Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jordan Pickford, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harry Maguire, and Eni Aluko, with the support of England and Wales managers, the charity's anti-racism message acknowledges that racial discrimination is a constantly evolving problem that requires an ongoing, ever-changing response.
David Martyn, a partner at Thompsons, says, "As a firm, we fight for the rights of individuals whenever they have been discriminated against. Racism in the workplace is something which Thompsons sees with saddening regularity and we are deeply aware of what it means for Scotland's society whenever someone reaches out to us for legal advice and representation due to racial discrimination at work. We wholeheartedly support the work carried out by SRtRC and the messages they take to schools and workplaces across Scotland. Education is key in this issue and the resources and training packages the organisation provides can hopefully be at the forefront of widespread attitude change in Scotland."
Scottish Hazards
As a strident campaigner for improved health and safety conditions for workers in Scotland, Scottish Hazards' ultimate aim is to reduce the incidence of work-related accidents and injury. Tackling all manner of issues from excessive hours and prolonged standing to asbestos exposure and unguarded machinery, Scottish Hazards provides an advice centre, training and networking opportunities, campaigning, and, through Thompsons, access to legal advice.
Thompsons partner Laura Blane is a trustee for the charity and has a deep insight into the consequences of poor workplace safety through her many years fighting for justice for our clients. Scottish Hazards assists non-trade-unionised workplaces and provides training seminars and an annual conference to provide a platform for campaigning and highlight the most pertinent and urgent health and safety issues.
Laura Blane, a prominent supporter and trustee of Scottish Hazards, says, "Over the years, my day-to-day work at Thompsons has shown me the tragic consequences of poor health and safety management in workplaces across Scotland. It is my strong belief that education is key in the fight against unsafe working practices and that all concerned employees and victims of bad practice must have free and accessible resources available to them whenever necessary. Scottish Hazards is a prominent provider of such resources and provides a campaigning voice that will stand up for and call for change."
Thompsons' involvement and impact
Thompsons' commitment to supporting these charities demonstrates the firm's dedication to making a positive impact on society. By providing legal representation, campaigning for legislative changes, and raising awareness, Thompsons helps ensure that these organisations can continue their vital work. The firm's involvement goes beyond legal support; many Thompsons employees volunteer their time and expertise, further strengthening the partnership with each charity.
Thompsons' work with these charities also highlights the importance of a holistic approach to support. By collaborating with organisations that offer practical, emotional, and educational resources, Thompsons ensures that clients receive comprehensive assistance. This multifaceted support system helps individuals and families navigate the complex challenges they face, whether due to industrial diseases, brain injuries, childhood trauma, or racial discrimination.
By working alongside these charities, Thompsons not only provides crucial legal representation but also contributes to broader efforts to create a safer, more inclusive, and just society for all.
