Blake Morgan welcomes young people to two successful Growing Ambitions weeks in Cardiff and Oxford
Blake Morgan is committed to opening doors and creating opportunities for young people to explore careers in professional services. Integral to this is our Growing Ambitions programme, which is designed to provide invaluable insight into the legal profession and the many career paths that support it.
This summer, the law firm were delighted to run two inspiring weeks of activity: one in our Cardiff office (21-25 July) and one in our Oxford office (4–8 August). Both were a resounding success, giving students a hands-on introduction to the legal world while also developing key professional skills.
Why Growing Ambitions matters
The legal profession can often feel inaccessible to those without existing connections or knowledge of the sector. Growing Ambitions aims to break down barriers, offering young people — from local housing associations and community partners — the chance to experience life within a law firm.
These placements are about much more than work shadowing. Students gain confidence, expand their horizons, and learn practical skills that will serve them well in whatever career they choose. For Blake Morgan, it is an opportunity to invest in the future workforce and help ensure that law and professional services are open to all.
Cardiff: Inspiration from the heart of the city
In Cardiff, Blake Morgan welcomed 12 students aged 15–18, along with one graduate, nominated by Cadarn Housing Group, Cardiff Community Housing Association (CCHA) and Valleys to Coast Housing Limited. The week was rich with variety, blending learning, networking and inspiration.
Drawing motivation from the legacy of Betty Campbell, Wales’ first black female headteacher, a statute in memory of her achievements being situated just a stone’s throw away from our office, the Cardiff programme encouraged students to see law as a career accessible to anyone with determination and ambition.
Highlights of the week included:
- Panel discussions and shadowing lawyers across different departments, helping students see the breadth of legal careers.
- A session with Nathan Howells of Willmott Dixon, where the connection between construction and law was explored through Lego models.
- Learning about cyber security from PureCyber Limited, a crucial issue for all businesses today.
- A Marketing and Business Development skills workshop led by Angharad Neagle, Co-founder and Chief Executive of Tailwind Group, and Jayne Brewer, Chief Executive of 2B Enterprising.
- A chance to experience university life at Cardiff Metropolitan University with Dr Hephzibah Egede and her team.
- Sessions on CV building and LinkedIn profiles, with tips from local recruiter, Moxie People, on how to stand out to employers.
- Hearing from professionals who had used their law degree to pursue alternative careers, demonstrating the versatility of legal training.
The week concluded with a certificate ceremony, where representatives from the housing associations joined to celebrate the students’ achievements and to reflect on the wide-ranging opportunities available in law and beyond. As one of the speakers reminded them: “If you’re determined to do something, you will do it.”
Oxford: Insight and hands-on experience
In Blake Morgan’s Oxford office, they hosted eight students aged 16–18 from Peabody, Fairhive Homes Limited and Cottsway housing associations. The programme was led by Charlotte Thompson and Polly Smith, with the support of a dedicated team of trainees.
The Oxford week offered a packed agenda, mixing academic insight with practical experience, including:
- A visit to Oxford Magistrates’ Court hosted by local Magistrate, Pracilla Greenall JP, where students observed live hearings and spoke with a CPS prosecutor.
- A tour and taster lecture at Oxford Brookes University’s School of Law hosted by Dr Lucy Floyd, Principal Lecturer and Law Programme Lead, including a practical exercise in plea mitigation.
- Talks from a wide range of professionals, including Regulatory Barrister Ben D’Alton, and several Blake Morgan staff who shared career journeys, routes into law, and advice on interviews and applications.
- Placement opportunities across multiple departments — from Family Law and Employment to Corporate, Banking and Construction — to give students real insight into daily legal work.
- Team-based challenges, such as designing their own law firm to develop commercial and business skills and taking part in a lively debate session to practice advocacy skills.
The week concluded with a certificate ceremony, where representatives from the housing associations joined to celebrate the students’ achievements.
Looking ahead
Both weeks reflected Blake Morgan’s commitment to nurturing ambition and promoting inclusion within the legal sector. By combining professional insight, academic learning, and practical experience, Growing Ambitions helps equip young people with the skills and confidence to pursue their goals — whether in law or another field entirely.
Blake Morgan is proud of the enthusiasm and commitment shown by all participants in Cardiff and Oxford. Their energy, curiosity and determination give us confidence in the next generation of professionals.
The law firm would also like to thank everyone who gave up their time to help the young people, making both Growing Ambitions weeks a success.
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