LAWCARE HITS MILESTONE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HELPED

Posted on01 February 2022

Charity celebrates 25^th anniversary this year

Legal mental health charity LawCare has helped over 10,000 legal professionals and support staff since it began in 1997.

The charity, which was initially set up to help solicitors with alcohol problems, has grown to support everyone working in the legal profession on a range of issues from stress to bullying.

Elizabeth Rimmer, Chief Executive of LawCare, said: ‘We are very proud that we have supported over 10,000 people in the legal community since we began 25 years ago, with a small office space in the corner of our first employee Barry Pritchard’s kitchen and a grant from The Law Society of England and Wales. It’s been a difficult couple of years for us all and we continue to offer free, confidential, emotional support to anyone that needs us in the profession, on any issue that is worrying them, no matter how small. In our 25^th anniversary year we plan to extend our advocacy work to help change the culture in the law, making it a healthier and happier place to work.’

Table of number of professionals contacting LawCare by year

Last year LawCare provided support to 667 people via 662 phone calls, 119 emails and 50 online chats including providing ongoing peer support to 64 people and funding counselling for 14 people. The most common problems cited were stress (33%), anxiety (13%), depression (10%), bullying (8%) and worries about career development (8%). The number of people contacting LawCare experiencing stress has seen the biggest increase - from 170 people in 2020 to 211 last year - a rise of 24%.

The majority of those who contacted the support service were women (69%). 63% were trainees/pupils, or had been qualified less than five years, and a further 5% were law students.

Impact report PDF Infographic

For LawCare’s full 2021 impact report visit www.lawcare.org.uk/impact

Anyone working in the law including support staff can contact LawCare for free, confidential, emotional support on 0800 279 6888, email support@lawcare.org.uk or visit www.lawcare.org.uk

Burges Salmon has been an enthusiastic supporter of BLS for many years. BLS provides a valuable role in uniting and promoting the whole of the legal sector across Bristol to benefit both its members and the city. It facilitates collaboration across the sector to ensure that we can all make a difference. Whether that is driving important initiatives in, for example, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the use of new technologies, liaising with stakeholders and charities in our wider community or providing training to generations of lawyers, the service and support provided by BLS is invaluable. More recently BLS has taken a lead on promoting Bristol’s legal brand, encouraging legal and business services talent to come to the city, which in turn attracts clients and inward investment to our thriving and vibrant commercial community. BLS breaks down barriers and brings those in the profession together for the greater good. We are proud of our long-standing association with BLS.
Roger Bull - Managing Partner, Burges Salmon
Three things to say about my experience of working with Bristol Law Society. Their central team, council members and general hangers-on are just about the nicest, most generous group of people working in the legal sector today. The numerous events, awards, socials and conferences I’ve had the pleasure to attend over the years have been, without exception, top quality and supremely organised. And, thirdly, they consistently exceed and challenge the boundaries of what lawyers might assume a regional Law Society will restrict activities to – from a hugely successful charitable school meals drive to corporate social responsibility and diversity campaigns to being joint architects and coordinators of the region’s unique Bristol+BathLegalTech group, which it has been my privilege to co-chair for the last five years.
Chris Bull - Principal, Edge International
As one of the leading Insurance brokers for law firms in the UK and with a large presence in Bristol it seemed only natural for us to support the Bristol Law Society. Bristol Law Society is one of the oldest and most vibrant of the Law Societies in England and Wales. We are pleased to be working with them on important matters relating to law firms’ liability insurances and Risk Management. From Sole Practitioner to Top 20 law firms we are sure our two organisations can provide excellent support and assistance for the challenges faced by the legal profession.
Matthew Baker - Financial Lines Group, Howden Insurance Brokers Ltd
Joining BLS in 2013 and becoming President in 2018/19 has created many longstanding friendships and business relationships, whilst also unlocking doors to other opportunities in the City. BLS enabled a perfect balance of professional development and also opportunities to give back to the legal and wider community. I am pleased that my Firm has supported BLS in many capacities since 2013 and continues to do so.
Nicholas Lee- Managing Director of Paragon Costs Solutions and Past President of BLS