Our Board of Trustees plays a key role in guiding our decision making and ensuring our charity remains true to our mission of empowering people who are facing court alone. This month, as part of our 25th anniversary, we spoke with our Chair of Trustees, Katherine Milliken, and Trustee and long-standing volunteer, Helen Lawrence.
Can you tell us a little about how you initially came to work with Support Through Court and what our work means to you personally?
Helen: In common with many others on retirement, I was searching for a role that would continue to make best use of my skills and allow me to contribute to society in a meaningful way. From my previous role in His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service, I knew of our charity’s existence and was pleased join the team volunteering at the Civil Justice Centre in Manchester. I also volunteered to join our National Helpline during the Covid-19 pandemic and continue to do work on the helpline and for our Online service too.
During my career, one of my key roles was to support unrepresented defendants in the Magistrates’ Court. Supporting litigants in person in civil and family proceedings seemed a natural progression and continued my determination to assist those choosing or having to face court alone. I know that, by supporting Litigants in Person coming from all sections of our society, we are bridging a crucial gap that allows our clients to access justice. At the same time, our partnership with a local University has given me the opportunity to mentor a number of students. Our work often gives them their first invaluable, real-world experience of working with clients and it is heartening to see our student volunteers gain an empathy and understanding that may well remain with them forever.
Katherine: Throughout my career as a solicitor, I have seen the legal system from many angles. But it is my role as Chair of Trustees at Support Through Court that has brought me closest to the realities faced by those who must navigate the courts alone. Knowing how complex the law can be, and how much I have relied on expert advice over the years, I am deeply grateful that we can offer our clients practical and emotional support at the moments that matter most.
Are there any specific moments from your work with us that have stayed with you?
Katherine: There are so many moments I could choose, but I want to use this opportunity to shine a light on the dedication of our Board of Trustees and our Leadership Team. Their work rarely features in the stories we tell as, quite rightly, our focus is on our clients, our volunteers, and our frontline teams. But as Chair, I see how their commitment runs deep. They bring a wide range of expertise and talents, challenging and supporting each other to make sure that we are doing the best we can for all those who interact with our charity.
Helen: I agree. Now I am a Trustee, I am seeing ever more closely the commitment of my fellow Trustees and the exceptional work of the Leadership Team. In the last seven years of volunteering, there have been so many memorable occasions to choose from it is hard to single one out. There are so many times where I have seen how our support has given our clients the confidence and knowledge to engage with the proceedings that they face. Many clients feel that they have no one else to turn to and often their journey through a bewildering judicial system will be punctuated by several appointments with us. I have seen clients who have been subjected to years of domestic abuse understand how the Family Court can protect them and gain the strength to deal with their divorce and any associated applications relating to their finances or their children. Equally, it is fulfilling to help clients negotiate the intricacies of the small claims court, from understanding what forms are needed and the benefits of mediation, to participation in court proceedings and, if necessary, knowing how to enforce any judgement made in their favour.
What most excites you about our 25th anniversary and the future?
Katherine: A 25th anniversary invites reflection. It gives us space to look back at how far we have come: the expertise we have built, the stories we have shared, and the lives we have touched. There is a quiet satisfaction in recognising the passion and hard work of our staff and volunteers over a quarter of a century. This milestone is also a moment of recommitment to the vision first set by our founder, Diana Copisarow, as the need for our work remains as urgent as ever. I am proud to be part of the Support Through Court community because we make a real difference. For thousands of people each year, we are the reassuring presence that means they do not have to face court alone.
Helen: For the past 25 years, we have grown into a trusted partner – regularly recommended by HM Courts and Tribunals Service – and have built flourishing relationships with universities. This puts us in an ideal position to build on our success. Our ambition to make ourselves available to more people facing court alone, and in more ways, will always remain central to our charitable ethos. It will further establish our essential place in the justice system and continue improving access to justice at a time when it is needed more than ever.
Interested in volunteering?
If you’re looking for a meaningful opportunity to give back and help people facing court alone, find out more below.
