Bridging the Bar is a charity focused on improving diversity at the Bar and work with aspiring barristers from underrepresented backgrounds.
In October 2022, Bridging the Bar launched the first-ever BTB Academy. Through the BTB Academy, 100 high-quality candidates from underrepresented backgrounds have gained access to multiple programmes and training opportunities over the course of the academic year in order to help them boost their CVs and prepare them for the Pupillage applications process. Results from this year’s BTB Academy show that candidates are almost 3 times more likely to secure pupillage than those who have not completed the programme. You can read more about the BTB Academy here.
As Bridging the Bar prepares to launch the BTB Academy once again in September 2023, they are looking to recruit volunteers for their programmes in the upcoming academic year. BTB relies heavily on volunteer practitioners to help implement and support their programmes, enhancing their candidate’s experiences.
Bridging the Bar is looking for volunteers to assist in the following ways:
- Marking incoming BTB Academy Applications;
- Mentoring; and/or
- Sitting on the consultancy mailing list
Bridging the Bar is also looking for chambers who would like to participate in their:
- Mini-pupillages
- Interview advocacy training
Details can be found on Bridging the Bar’s website.
Chambers and individual volunteers may pick more than one way to assist and there is no cost to involvement in any of the programmes.
Those who are interested in volunteering with us can sign up here. Please note that if you would like to volunteer with us you must qualified to practice as a barrister in the UK.
We would be grateful if you could share this link with your fellow practitioners to aid us in reaching as many people as possible.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at programmes@bridgingthebar.org.