The Law Society has committed an initial £300,000 to provide a further three years of funding to two charities operating in the legal sector, one focused on helping those who cannot afford legal advice, and the other providing mental health and wellbeing support for professionals.
LawWorks, who will receive £130,000 in the first year, enables access to justice through free legal advice for those who are not eligible for legal aid and do not have the means to pay for a lawyer. Mental health and wellbeing charity LawCare will receive £170,000 in the first year. The charity provides direct emotional support to people working in the legal sector, including solicitors and their families, and works with others to improve mental health and wellbeing and encourage healthier, more sustainable ways of working. Following the fulfilment to his duties as current president of the Law Society, Mark Evans will move to LawCare as its new chief executive.
Welcoming the commitment, interim chief executive at LawCare Trish McLellan said: “Continuing this commitment to LawCare for another three years sends a strong message about the importance of mental health and wellbeing across the legal profession. It means we can keep supporting people while also working to prevent poor mental health across the sector.”
Rebecca Wilkinson, chief executive at LawWorks, said: “We are hugely grateful to the Law Society for its continued support of LawWorks through this new three-year grant. The multi-year funding is particularly welcome, as it gives us greater financial certainty and enables us to plan ahead with confidence, making longer-term strategic decisions about how we develop and sustain our work.”
Commenting on the funding announcement, Law Society executive director of membership and external affairs, Louise Hanson, said: “I am proud to announce the Law Society’s continued funding of LawWorks and LawCare, two charities which do so much to support members of the public and solicitors.
“Lawyers face intense pressures including long working hours, heavy workloads and burnout. Supporting the wellbeing of solicitors is a key priority for the Law Society. LawCare, through its Life in the Law research, support services, training and advocacy, helps legal professionals lead better and more fulfilling lives while building their career.”
Hanson added: “Access to justice is fundamental and it is vital that there is support for those who cannot afford legal advice. We work closely with LawWorks to bridge that gap. They enable our members to deliver pro bono support and serve their communities.”
