A GROUP of law students in Worcester have helped to secure tens of thousands of pounds for people involved in benefit disputes.
Worcester College of Technology have teamed up with the city’s Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) to give aspiring lawyers the chance to gain experience in the industry.
The six students, which were selected to take part in the project, have also proved to be an asset to the CAB team as they have helped to open more 100 new legal aid cases since October last year.
So far £41,000 has been secured from the 11 cases which have closed. The cases have been raised in Welfare Benefits, Employment and Support Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Housing Benefits.
Student Skye Connors said: “It’s been such an invaluable experience, which I think I needed, as I got the opportunity to put my knowledge from my studies into practise.
“It’s given me strong skills to set me up for my future in the industry, which I wouldn’t have been able to achieve if I studied at university.
“Overall it’s been good to be able to give something back to those people that can’t afford legal aid and to be able to help them in some way.”
Deborah Lister, leader of law at Worcester College of Technology, added: “We are delighted that the project has gone so well over the last 10 months.
“The students have made a significant contribution to the work of Worcester CAB/WHABAC and in the process provided a much-needed service to the citizens of Worcester.”
