This International Day of Charity we’re taking a moment to talk about something that underpins everything we do at LAVA, and that’s making a real difference, to real people. Yes, we’re an M&A advisory firm, so we do that by delivering the perfect deal for any business owner’s unique situation. But that isn’t all.
LAVA was founded with the express intention of driving positive change in an industry often crowded with cookie-cutter solutions and ‘but we’ve always done it that way’ mentality. When founding partners Simon and Hamish started LAVA in 2020, it was with a firm and genuine commitment to doing things differently, building an environment they really wanted to work in, and pushing the industry to take a proactive approach to support. One big step along that road was the birth of our Positive Change initiative. This sees LAVA commit 2.5% of revenue directly to charities committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the UK’s children and young people. This means every single deal we do is building a better future for the next generation.
At LAVA, we feel privileged to channel a slice of our turnover into causes that truly matter, especially when it comes to supporting the mental and physical wellbeing of the nation’s children and young people. We like to think we’re not just donors, we’re hands-on partners, whether that’s pounding the pavement for a marathon, rallying support in our networks, or using our expertise to help charities thrive.
Simon Woodcock LAVA Partner
Why children’s charities?
Simply put, they’re the future, and if we want our companies and communities to thrive, we have to give them all the tools and support they need to do so. Children and young people are facing new and ever-changing pressures, from financial worries to the rapid uptick of AI, and the earlier someone struggling gets the right support, the better their chances of thriving. Early intervention can have an enormous impact on how children and teens respond to stressful or traumatic situations, both reducing the risk of long-term harm and building resilience and coping mechanisms that can stay with them for life.
Mental and physical health challenges have an enormous impact on so many young lives, so we carefully select our charity partners to cover a range of important issues and causes, all geared towards building a brighter future for young people. We couldn’t be more proud to support organisations like WellChild, Anna Freud, Place2Be, Happy Space, the NSPCC, and UNICEF; and we’re always on the lookout for other important causes, so if you’d like to join our Positive Change program, get in touch!
LAVA’s commitment to building the mental health and wellbeing of the next generation means they’re a perfect partner for us. Their donation, willingness to learn, and collaborative spirit help us to develop and deliver our innovative mental health care and support, which includes research, training, specialist clinical support and resources, aimed at improving the lives of children, young people and families.
Professor Eamon McCrory CEO, Anna Freud
What it looks like in practice
Sometimes it’s running a marathon, sometimes it’s showing up to help behind the scenes. Sometimes it’s sponsoring a dinner, or helping a charity raise its profile by tapping into our network. But it’s always about backing the people doing the hard work; the therapists, social workers, teachers, youth workers, parents, and carers who keep showing up and doing their best for the children and young people who need them most.
Alongside our Positive Change initiative, we’re keeping that energy going internally too. Whether it’s how we treat each other, how we make decisions, or how we grow the firm, purpose is part of the brief.
We’re so pleased to work with companies like LAVA, whose commitment to worthy causes is so embedded in everything they do. The energy and support of our partners is key to helping us at WellChild ensure seriously ill children have access to the medical support and emotional care they need, enabling them to truly thrive at home and in their communities.
Abby Guilding Director of Fundraising, WellChild
How you can help
Charity isn’t just about generosity. It’s about values, about remembering that success means nothing if it’s not shared.
So today, on International Day of Charity, we’re hoping more businesses join us. If you’ve got time, energy or resources to spare, back something that matters. If you’re building a business, think about what kind of impact you want to have along the way.
And if you’re one of the many incredible people working directly to improve and protect children and young people’s health and wellbeing, thank you. We see you, we appreciate you, and we’re proud to be on your side!
