I became a member of RLAP in the final year of my law degree, and it was my first practical legal experience. I prepared UKVI applications, drafted statements, and checked that all the documents needed for the clients’ bundles were presented. I also learnt how important it is to ensure that clients are confident to discuss their experiences with their caseworkers.

I am grateful for this experience because it has helped me achieve my professional goals: the practical insight I was given through RLAP was crucial for me to secure a job as a family law paralegal. My participation in RLAP has also helped me integrate confidently in a professional environment, thanks to the practical skills achieved during my experience as a volunteer.

The aim of RLAP is to bring families together that have been separated due to unfortunate, and at times, horrific circumstances. Who would not want to be a part of reuniting families?

RLAP is a good introduction to the legal profession, as it enables me to interact with vulnerable people in need of help. I now know what is needed to work as a caseworker.

Thanks to RLAP I have become familiar with the code of conduct when in direct contact with clients. RLAP has allowed me to put into practice skills I have learnt whilst doing my degree.

RLAP not only helps me develop my interpersonal skills, it also allows me to experience real life cases. All this has helped me develop my confidence and also meet people from other years, whom I can look up to not only during RLAP sessions – but for anything related to university.