We are pleased to share Elliot’s reflections on her time with LawWorks:
"In December of last year, I faced the daunting task of securing a summer position. As a recipient of the Laidlaw Scholarship, I was given not only the resources to pursue research but also the opportunity to spend my summer abroad working with a not-for-profit organisation of my choosing. Knowing I wanted to work within the UK’s legal sector, I discovered LawWorks and was fortunate to connect with Hayley Nock, who offered me a research position for the summer.
My time at LawWorks proved both professionally formative and personally transformative. As an intern, I conducted research into legal trends and issues that might shape LawWorks’ 2027 strategic plan, and explored how a charity can measure the impact of its work. Through this role, I had the privilege of volunteering in pro bono legal clinics which form the heart of the LawWorks network across England and Wales. These experiences gave me a rare vantage point, combining the data that informs the organisation’s long-term vision with the direct contact of sitting alongside clients and volunteers in clinics.
Working in a small charity like LawWorks was a unique experience. The team were always ready to share their expertise, answer questions, and involve me in meaningful work. The supportive environment made me feel like a valued part of the team, even as an intern. Unlike larger organisations where roles can be compartmentalised, I was encouraged to engage with many aspects of the charity’s work. Through this I had the opportunity to conduct research and analyse trends across the sector, such as the fact that in 2024, clinics handled more than 90,000 enquiries and supported over 61,000 people. I came to see how this data was not just numbers but evidence used to advocate for policy change, attract new partnerships, and direct support where it was most needed.
At the same time, my experience volunteering in legal clinics gave me an entirely different perspective. Where research captured the scale of need across England and Wales, the clinics revealed the faces and voices behind those statistics. Many of the people I met were dealing with family and employment law issues, areas that, according to the 2024 report, together accounted for over half of all clinic cases. But in practice, these problems rarely appeared in isolation. Clients often came in with overlapping challenges, housing insecurity tied to debt, employment disputes linked to family breakdown, or immigration issues bound up with domestic abuse. The 2024 report highlighted rising complexity in cases, and I saw this in real time as clients shared their stories.
What struck me most was the power of human connection. Sitting across the table from clients, I saw how much it mattered that someone was there to listen. Even when full resolution wasn’t possible, a single conversation, being heard, receiving advice, or simply having the next step explained made an enormous difference. Working alongside volunteer lawyers, students, and coordinators, I was inspired by the commitment people brought to these clinics. The 2024 report recorded over 13,000 volunteers across the network, a staggering number that shows the willingness and dedication of communities to help out when people are in need. There was something profoundly humbling in being part of that collective effort, even in a small way. It reminded me that while research and data are crucial for advocacy, it is the people that give the work its true meaning.
Ultimately, my time with LawWorks left me with a deeper conviction that access to justice must be seen as a basic right, not a privilege. It taught me that creating meaningful change requires both careful, strategic research and the willingness to meet people where they are. Most of all, it showed me the importance of human connection, whether that’s the encouragement of a supportive team, the generosity of volunteers, or the gratitude of a client who feels seen. These lessons, professional and personal, will stay with me well beyond my time at LawWorks."
“We were hugely impressed with Elliot. Her work ethic and quality of research were fantastic, and she was a pleasure to have in the team. She threw herself into every task, whether in the office or in a clinic, and her positivity and curiosity shone through. Elliot is definitely going places.”
– Hayley Nock, Head of Strategic Development