Reopening all Crown court canteens, town hall events and professional development support – these are just some of the objectives for a new grassroots organisation set up to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of practitioners working in the criminal justice system.
Legally Lifelong started out as an idea by Serious Fraud Office paralegal Morwenna Hocken and aspiring barrister Lucy Fegan-Earl, with pupil barrister Tochi Ejimofo joining shortly afterwards. Last night, the trio hosted a launch event in central London attended by dozens of lawyers, including Bar Council chair Barbara Mills KC, who described Legally Lifelong as more than just an initiative, ‘it’s a movement’.
Ejimofo told the event that wellbeing does not have to be a ‘nebulous concept’. Highlighting the importance of a proper lunch, Ejimofo said Legally Lifelong wants to see every Crown court canteen reopened.
Legally Lifelong wants to host town hall events, attended by politicians and the press, to raise wider awareness of the challenges facing the criminal justice system. ‘We all have complaints about the criminal justice system but sometimes it feels like we’re preaching to the choir,’ Ejimofo said.
Hocken said the team believed in the power of tangible change, no matter how small. For instance, Legally Lifelong has been placing ‘top up care baskets’ in women’s toilets in London Crown courts, containing products such as period pads, tampons, deodrant and hair bands. People are asked to check that the baskets are being topped up. Legally Lifelong is currently working on creating a care basket for men.
After being approached by the group, some cafes near Snaresbrook Crown Court, and Thames Lavender Hill and Highbury Corner magistrates’ courts, are piloting a 10% coffee and food discount for criminal justice professionals. Legally Lifelong will be campaigning to get criminal practitioners added to the Blue Light Card discount scheme.
Wellbeing sessions will soon be coming to court, Fegan-Earl added.
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