Solicitors’ Charity helped 50% more new clients in 2022
updated on 31 May 2023
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New statistics revealed in The Solicitors’ Charity Big Report highlighted that in 2022 the charity helped 50% more new clients.
The charity reported that it’d helped its clients access:
- mental health care;
- financial advice and support;
- benefits advice; and
- career transition counselling.
Each of these services was provided by either charity caseworkers or its partner services.
In addition to these services, all of the charity’s primary clients received one-off cost-of-living payments, with almost £1 million in total spent on funding support to solicitors across England and Wales in the past 12 months.
Payments covered a mix of necessities, including:
- household equipment;
- medical aids;
- adaptions to housing;
- grants and payments to partner organisations to provide services; and
- living allowances.
One client who received support, a London property conveyancer (who’d prefer to remain anonymous), stated that the financial support offered by The Solicitors’ Charity allowed them to get back on their feet.
They added: “The best thing now is being debt-free, having a roof over my head and a warm room. If the charity hadn’t been there for me, I don’t know what would’ve happened. They’ve been massively helpful and a real lifesaver.”
The report also revealed that the number of new clients experiencing multiple health conditions increased by 50% in the past year, with 34% of primary clients having multiple health conditions or disabilities. Mental health cases also increased by 60%, with 27% of all primary clients having reported experiencing mental health issues.
Working with its partners, The Solicitors’ Charity successfully funded 284 solicitors’ access to emotional wellbeing and mental health support through LawCare.
Speaking on the report, CEO of The Solicitors’ Charity Nick Gallagher said: “I’m delighted that this year’s Big Report has shone a spotlight on the positive impact we’ve made in 2022 to an increased number of legal professionals needing support in times of hardship.”
