NOW Group Forms Strategic Partnership with ALG to Advance Inclusion.

NOW Group is proud to announce a three-year strategic partnership with ALG, one of Ireland's leading corporate law firms. Comprising A&L Goodbody LLP and related partnerships. As part of this collaboration, ALG will become a JAM Card Friendly Business. The JAM (Just A Minute) Card offers a simple yet powerful way for people with invisible disabilities to request a moment of patience during everyday interactions—whether in social settings or the workplace.

Sinead Smith, Head of Responsible Business at ALG, commented:

“This partnership reflects our commitment to building a more diverse and inclusive workplace and increasing representation of underrepresented groups within our firm. It also supports our goal of creating a more compassionate and inclusive culture—one where varied experiences and perspectives are truly valued.”  

A key element of NOW Group’s services is the JAM (‘Just a Minute’) Card. The JAM Card is a tool that allows people with invisible disabilities to discreetly ask for patience in everyday interactions, whether socially or professionally. The JAM Card is available as a physical card or an app – both free of charge to access – with currently over 182,500 users. As a JAM Card friendly business, staff at ALG will undertake tailored eLearning training, to help equip our people with the skills required to support people with visible and invisible disabilities. Everyone will be trained to recognise and respond to the JAM Card, making the experience more comfortable for those with non-visible disabilities, whilst fostering a culture of understanding and neurodiversity. Across Ireland and Northern Ireland, JAM Card friendly businesses include Bank of Ireland, Transport for Ireland, ALDI, Vodafone and Citi Bank. Currently over 3,000 global organisations are regarded as being JAM Card Friendly.

 Commenting on the partnership, Sinead Smith, Head of Responsible Business at ALG, said: “The partnership with the NOW Group supports our overall ambition of being a more diverse and inclusive organisation and to employ more people from underrepresented groups in our firm. It will also help us in fostering a more empathetic and supportive environment, where different perspectives and talents are valued. This not only enhances diversity in our firm but also promotes a sense of belonging and mutual respect among employees. We look forward to working in partnership with the NOW Group over the next three years.”

 Maeve Monaghan, CEO of NOW Group added: “We are delighted that A&L Goodbody is investing in JAM Card training for all staff. As a social enterprise, we are dedicated to championing diversity and equality for all, however, we can’t achieve this alone. It’s essential that we collaborate with public and private organisations in Ireland and further afield to promote inclusivity for everyone. We are thrilled to have such a prestigious law firm join us on this journey, and we are expectant about the long-term impact this three-year partnership will have on staff and clients alike.”

 As part of the partnership, ALG will continue to provide pro bono legal advice to NOW Group. To date they have already supported Now Group with over 200 pro bono hours advising on matters of corporate governance, property, employment and intellectual property.