Somerset County Cricket Club and Cooper Associates Group become first organisations in the South West to adopt Hugh’s Law
Partnership aims to support families of critically ill children through enhanced workplace protections.
Somerset County Cricket Club (SCCC) and Cooper Associates Group (CAG) have announced a landmark partnership, becoming the first organisations in the South West to adopt the principles of Hugh’s Law, a pioneering workplace policy supporting parents of critically ill children.
Hugh’s Law is a workplace initiative which ensure that parents of critically ill children are not forced to choose between their livelihood and their need to support their child. Under current UK legislation, there is no statutory entitlement to financial assistance or job security when caring for a critically ill child. As a result, many families have been forced out of work and into debt during an already challenging time.
Hugh’s Law policy seeks to change this by providing employment protection and a financial safety net, ensuring families can focus on providing much needed care and support without fearing for their livelihood.
Under the policy, CAG and SCCC employees will receive enhanced support when caring for a critically ill child, including:
– Paid leave to care for a child who is receiving urgent, life-saving or critical hospital treatment.
– Protection from disciplinary action, attendance-related penalties and threats to job security while taking leave.
– The right to return to their role following their period of leave.
– Access to wellbeing support and signposting through the charity It’s Never You and internal support services.
At its core, this initiative ensures no parent has to choose between supporting their child and protecting their livelihood.
The announcement will be marked on Sunday at the Club’s annual Family Day fixture by an appearance from one of SCCC’s most inspirational young fans, Bodhi. The seven-year-old first met the SCCC team in 2023 when they visited the children’s ward at Musgrove Park Hospital, where he was being treated for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. He later became the team’s “lucky mascot” as they lifted the 2023 Vitality Blast trophy for the first time in 18 years.
Bodhi’s mother, Alice, met Hugh’s mother, Ceri Menai-Davis, through a support group for parents of children with cancer where they bonded over their shared experience. Since then, Alice has become a passionate advocate for Hugh’s Law and the campaign to ensure that families facing childhood illness receive the support they need.
Bodhi’s story reflects the very challenges Hugh’s Law seeks to address – ensuring families are supported during prolonged hospital stays and periods of uncertainty. This partnership marks a significant step forward in creating more compassionate workplaces across the South West, with both organisations encouraging others to follow suit.
Jamie Cox, CEO of Somerset County Cricket Club: Somerset County Cricket Club has always believed that cricket is about far more than just what happens on the field. We are proud to be at the heart of our community, and that means standing alongside people when they need support the most. Since returning to Somerset CCC, it’s become clear to me that Bodhi’s story has touched everyone connected with the Club. From welcoming him as part of the Somerset family during his treatment to celebrating the Vitality Blast success together in 2023, those connected with the Club have seen first hand the strength and resilience shown by children and families facing unimaginable challenges.
By adopting the principles of Hugh’s Law, we are making a commitment that any member of our team facing similar circumstances will have the time, security and support they need to be with their child without worrying about their job or financial stability. We’re incredibly proud to join Cooper Associates Group and It’s Never You in leading the way, and we hope other organisations across the South West and beyond will be inspired to do the same.
Jaie Goddard, Head of People & Culture, Somerset County Cricket Club: Sometimes life can present unimaginable challenges and as a people-first organisation, we believe no one should have to choose between caring for their seriously ill child and protecting their livelihood. Our commitment to Hugh’s Law reflects our belief that when our colleagues need us most, we stand beside them.
For us, embedding the principle of ‘family-first’; is key to demonstrating a culture of flexibility and genuine care for our people so that they know they can focus on what matters most with the support and backing of the Club.
Samantha Jackson, CEO of Cooper Associates Group
“We pride ourselves on a people-first culture, so when we heard about Hugh’s Law the response was an obvious one. Work should never become an additional financial burden when you’re facing what is already a traumatic time.By becoming one of the first organisations in the South West to adopt Hugh’s Law, we are simply reaffirming our commitment to supporting our people with compassion and dignity. The decision to ask Somerset County Cricket Club to join us in this was an easy one. Our connection to the club has always been about more than a partnership, but about the community and the values that we share, and we are proud to raise awareness for and support the incredible work of It’s Never You alongside them.
Ceri Morys Menai-Davis, Director of Policy & Public Affairs, Co-Founder – It’s Never You Charity: We are delighted to have the support of Somerset County Cricket Club and Cooper Associates Group for Hugh’s Law. SCCC is a club with a proud history and deep roots in its community, so its backing means a great deal to us and the families we represent. It also means that families employed by the Club and Cooper Associates Group will know they will be supported if their child becomes seriously ill, giving them reassurance during the most difficult time of their lives.”
About Hugh’s Law
Hugh’s Law was sparked by the story of Hugh Menai-Davis, who passed away in 2021 following a 10-month battle with a rare cancer. Following his death, Hugh’s parents, Ceri and Frances Menai-Davis, founded the charity It’s Never You and began campaigning for better employment and financial protections for families facing similar circumstances.
Through implementing Hugh’s Law, employers adopt policies ensuring:
– Employment protection.
– A minimum financial safety net.
– A clear, fair and auditable process.
– A compassionate culture aligned with modern workforce expectations.
To qualify for Hugh’s Law leave and pay, an employee must:
– Have a child under the age of 16 receiving life-saving or urgent hospital treatment.
– Be a legal parent, adoptive parent or primary guardian to the child.
– Be required to remain in hospital with the child.
– Have a child admitted to hospital for at least 7 consecutive days.
– Provide a consultant letter confirming:
o The child’s diagnosis.
o That the parent’s continued presence is clinically required for consent, safeguarding, mental health stability of the child or immediate medical decision-making.