The Solicitors’ Charity is celebrating its history with a timeline of how it has changed over the last 168 years.
Founded in 1858, as the Solicitors’ Benevolent Association, the charity supported solicitors and their families facing hardship. Within its first year almost 200 members had joined and £2,000 had been raised. By 1861, the first grants were being distributed.
The Solicitors’ Charity says the timeline reveals how the charity’s work developed in response to the challenges of each generation. During the First World War, for example, demand for support increased as solicitors joined the armed forces.
In 1927, school fee grants were introduced, while during the Second World War, international support networks provided food parcels to elderly and vulnerable solicitors struggling to access essential supplies.
By its centenary in 1958, the charity had distributed more than £1 million in financial relief.
Today, The Solicitors’ Charity supports the emotional, physical and professional wellbeing of legal professionals, including offering access to specialist mental health services, money management advice, and career coaching, alongside financial assistance.
Dr I. Stephanie Boyce CBE, chair of The Solicitors’ Charity, said: “Behind every solicitor is a person, and that has always been true. Our history is a reminder that however much the profession changes, people will still face challenges in their lives and careers. What matters is knowing they don’t have to face them alone.”
Nick Gallagher, CEO of The Solicitors’ Charity said: “When the charity began, the focus was largely on financial hardship. Today, we recognise that the pressures solicitors experience are often interconnected, which is why our support now extends across four areas of wellbeing.
“The timeline tells an important story about our past, but it’s also a reminder of why we need to keep adapting our services to meet the needs of solicitors today.”
