PAFRAS embarked on a mission to establish a volunteer-led legal advice pilot.
In continuation of our previous EAR Ecosystems case study, PAFRAS embarked on a mission to establish a volunteer-led legal advice pilot. The objective was to address the dearth of free legal advice locally and offer OISC L1 non- complex advice and applications, thereby relieving some of the pressure on Legal Aid providers.
I continued to chair the Legal Advice Working Group, where we convened meetings to advance the project. While partners were enthusiastic, there were internal pressures within their organisations that sometimes hindered meeting scheduling. To maintain communication and commitment to the project, I had to engage directly with individuals. Navigating these internal pressures with sensitivity was a challenge but essential for progress.
To drive action, I proposed setting a fixed start date, motivating partners to work on the project. We agreed on a date after the summer, allowing ample time for partners to develop internal plans while accommodating holidays and annual leave.
Chapeltown CAB agreed to host the pilot and handle governance due to their ability to operate at OISC L1 without passing the exam and their existing structures. Volunteers underwent CAB online training, while MBP and CCAB provided specific training on immigration issues such as travel documents, BRP card errors, and nationality/citizenship. MBP and CCAB jointly recruited volunteers and offered ongoing support and supervision. CCAB identified a session supervisor trained at least to OISC L2 to oversee the clinics and provide support to volunteers when needed.
We established a robust volunteer recruitment process and recruited four volunteers, all with lived experience of migration. Training occurred over three weeks, and the pilot launched in October. Initially, we had a soft launch to identify gaps or unforeseen issues. The pilot ran fortnightly, with each volunteer seeing up to two clients per session. A few weeks into the project, the session supervisor conducted a masterclass on fee waivers to enhance volunteers’ knowledge and skills. Referrals started slowly but picked up after we communicated the pilot’s availability to RETAS, the main referring agency.
Mid-project, Leeds City Council initiated a fund to support third-sector organisations working with asylum seekers and refugees. MBP led the bid writing, which proved successful. The project secured one year of funding, covering volunteer coordination, outreach coordination, and the session supervisor’s role. With funding secured, MBP and CCAB developed partnership agreements and conducted due diligence to ensure the project’s viability.
Once the Outreach Coordinator is in post (anticipated in January), we plan to enhance administrative systems and communications for the project. This case study highlights our journey in establishing a volunteer-led legal advice pilot, showcasing the commitment of partners and the steps taken to alleviate the burden on Legal Aid providers while supporting vulnerable individuals in need of legal guidance.
