Dominic Hopkins is determined to ensure young people get a good start in life

Hewitsons has been associated with the Northamptonshire Association of Youth Clubs for over 45 years. That association began with the support that former senior partner, Keith Davidson provided to his friend, the late Reverend Harry Whittaker, who established the organisation in 1961, and continues today through the involvement of partner Dominic Hopkins, as Honorary Solicitor of NAYC.

NAYC is a charitable and voluntary organisation that has helped hundreds of thousands of young people to develop physically, mentally, socially and spiritually, and to grow to full maturity as individuals and as members of society. The organisation’s goal is to expand the horizons of these young people irrespective of their economic situation, education, or ability and to help educate young people, especially, but not exclusively through their leisure time activities.

Dominic, the Under Sheriff of Northamptonshire and head of Hewitsons’ corporate section, has supported the work of NAYC for more than a decade through his counsel on a wide variety of matters.

He said: “I have a heart for young people and am a strong supporter of the charity’s mission and Christian ethos. They do fabulous work, not just by training youth work leaders and supporting hundreds of youth clubs, but also through the magnificent facilities they are able to offer groups, both in the County and elsewhere.”

NAYC’s subsidiary, Action Centres UK has developed some of the finest residential and activity facilities of any youth association, with its modern Conference Centres and wide ranging and wonderfully equipped Activity Centres together catering for well over a hundred thousand people every year.

Dominic sees his role as one that goes beyond his immediate professional life.

“What I try to do whenever I can is to explain to individuals and groups I come into contact with, what NAYC is about. I also try and introduce potential donors to NAYC. For instance, Hewitsons has held its annual tennis tournament at the charity’s state of the art indoor facility in Northampton and provided an opportunity for current CEO John Whittaker and the Chairman to present to senior company executives on the Association’s important work. That work is also a key part of my prayer life.”

At a professional level, Hewitsons continues to provide a variety of legal services to NAYC, including advice on charity governance and company law, commercial property and employment law.

CEO John Whittaker says of the long relationship with Hewitsons:

"We have always appreciated the outstanding support given to NAYC by Hewitsons. It has been caring and personal whilst at the same time objective and professional. We have especially appreciated the guidance and interest shown by Dominic in helping us to understand the requirements of the regulatory environment in which charities now operate and the steps we need to take in going forward."

For further information on NAYC and Action Centres UK, visit www.nayc.org and www.actioncentres.co.uk