Gallagher: Making help easy to find
The Law Society, The Solicitors’ Charity, LawCare and the Mindful Business Charter have joined forces to launch the Solicitor Wellbeing Alliance for England and Wales, aimed at improving mental health across the profession.
Mark Evans, who handed over the presidency of the Law Society last week and from next month becomes chief executive of LawCare, said solicitors faced “significant wellbeing challenges” and no single organisation could tackle them alone.
“By joining forces, we can raise awareness of the support already available, share expertise and help drive healthier workplace cultures across the profession.”
Mr Evans said that over the coming year, alliance members would work together to “develop and deliver practical outputs that improve awareness of support, share learning and help solicitors and legal organisations take positive action on wellbeing”.
A statement said they had come together “to provide a more co-ordinated approach to wellbeing support, helping solicitors and firms access existing resources, guidance and services”.
Alliance members agreed to “work together on shared priorities, focusing on what the four organisations could achieve together that they could not do alone”, while sharing “insight on trends and emerging issues” affecting solicitors’ wellbeing.
They would also “provide a unified voice and identify opportunities to positively influence organisational culture and working practices”.
The Solicitors’ Charity said it had always taken “a whole-person view – supporting emotional, physical, professional and financial wellbeing, tailored to individual need. What the alliance adds is a better way in.
“Wherever a solicitor turns first – to us, to LawCare, to the Law Society or to their own firm – the aim is simple: they end up in the right place, faster.”
Nick Gallagher, chief executive of The Solicitors’ Charity, added: “Solicitors are used to being the person others rely on. This alliance is about making sure that when they need support themselves, it’s easy to find – and that they’re never having to look for it alone.”
The Mindful Business Charter, a global network of employers with members from beyond the legal sector, called in a White Paper last year for “systemic cultural change” to help employees manage workloads realistically.
Chief executive Richard Martin commented: “The legal profession lends itself to hard working conditions, long hours and high pressure. By working together we can ensure we are looking after employees for healthier mental health, and ultimately a more thriving workforce.”
LawCare’s Life in the Law research found last year that six out of 10 people said they had poor mental wellbeing and more than four out of 10 said their mental health and wellbeing were very significantly influenced by work.
In a separate development, the Law Society has announced three more years of funding for LawCare, which will receive £170,000, as well as £130,000 for pro bono group LawWorks.
Trish McLellan, interim chief executive at LawCare, added: “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.”
Rebecca Wilkinson, chief executive at LawWorks, said: “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.”
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