In 2021, LawCare, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, provided support to 667 people via 662 phone calls, 119 emails and 50 online chats. It provided ongoing peer support to 64 people and funding counselling for 14 people. The most common problems cited were stress (33 per cent), anxiety (13 per cent), depression (10 per cent), bullying (eight per cent) and worries about career development (eight per cent). The number of people contacting LawCare experiencing stress has seen the biggest increase – from 170 people in 2020 to 211 last year, an increase of 24 per cent.

The majority of those who contacted the support service were women (69 per cent). 63 per cent were trainees/pupils, or had been qualified less than five years, and a further five per cent were law students.

The charity, which was initially set up to help solicitors with alcohol problems, has grown to support everyone working in the legal profession on a range of issues from stress to bullying.

Elizabeth Rimmer, chief executive of LawCare, said: “We are very proud that we have supported over 10,000 people in the legal community since we began 25 years ago, with a small office space in the corner of our first employee Barry Pritchard’s kitchen and a grant from the Law Society of England and Wales.

“It’s been a difficult couple of years for us all and we continue to offer free, confidential, emotional support to anyone that needs us in the profession, on any issue that is worrying them, no matter how small. In our 25th anniversary year we plan to extend our advocacy work to help change the culture in the law, making it a healthier and happier place to work.”