Who are EGLAC and what do they do?

EGLAC's mission is to provide a vital community service to those with nowhere else to turn, by helping people in South East London with limited means to access free legal advice when needed.

EGLAC aims to reduce the risk of impacts such as homelessness, unmanageable debt and increased mental health difficulties.

Why am I raising money for EGLAC?

I attended an in-person clinic one Wednesday evening to observe the types of cases that the clinic receives, and immediately I could see the impact that the clinic has on real people in the community. Clients would attend the clinic, some of them, understandably feeling nervous about discussing their problem with a stranger; however, EGLAC welcomed them to the clinic with compassion, empathy, and a can-do, practical approach to the issue at hand.

One particular client was unable to see his son and was dealing with a family law issue which left him particularly worried and visibly stressed. The lawyer dealing with his case provided some clear, actionable advice which the client would easily be able to follow and broke down the complex and confusing law into a digestible piece of information that the client could take away.

The lawyer handwrote the steps the client needed to take as the client did not have easy access to a computer at home.

I could see that the client who arrived anxious and stressed left feeling relieved that somebody listened to him and provided him with trustworthy, practical advice in plain and simple English. Seeing the incredible impact that the clinic has on its clients in person inspired me to become more actively involved in fundraising.

EGLAC advisers are all volunteer lawyers who assist people with a wide range of legal queries, covering family law, immigration, housing, civil litigation, and more.

Seeing this has inspired me to raise money for EGLAC so that it can continue to deliver these essential services to the community. I will be running the London Landmarks half-marathon in April, and any donations, no matter how big or small, will be greatly appreciated. 🙌 🙏