Young people in Chelmsford ‘drop-in’ for legal support
A groundbreaking legal service for young people is to run its first ever drop-in sessions in Chelmsford.
‘Lawyers for Young People’, which has been set up by Essex law firm Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP, with funding from the Legal Services Commission, will be launching regular confidential legal drop-in sessions at the Connexions One Stop Shop in Moulsham Street.
It is the first time ever that legal advice has been offered in a Connexions One Stop Shop in Essex. Liz Frank, solicitor from Lawyers for Young People said: “This is a very exciting development .and we are delighted to be .providing this service. There are so many reasons why young people might need a lawyer. They might be separated from their siblings, estranged from their parents, needing accommodation and/or services. If young people are in care they may need advice to help them achieve their goals. Our aim is to reach out and let young people know there is support for them - and in most cases it is free.”
The drop-in sessions will be held every other Tuesday between 1pm and 3pm and are open to young people seeking legal advice on a variety of different issues. Lynne Pembroke, One Stop Shop Coordinator said: “We want to provide all 13 to 19 year olds with a broad range of information, advice and guidance including on careers, leisure, money, health and lots more. Lawyers for Young People is one of a number of additional advice services available from the One Stop Shop.”
Liz Frank added: “It is important for young people to receive this service on a regular basis and where we are unable to support them we will work as a ‘gateway’ and point them in the right direction.”
Lawyers for Young People also currently provides drop-in services in Colchester at the Youth Enquiry Service, in Basildon at the Citizens Advice Bureau and in Canvey Island at the Canvey Youth Project.
For further information about Lawyers for Young People, and ways to access the law through youth groups and drop-in services, Liz Frank can be contacted on 01206 835260. You can also view LFYP’s full drop-in timetable at www.lfyp.org.uk
Other drop-in services at Connexions in Chelmsford include the Primary Care Trust where a qualified nurse is available every Wednesday between 4pm and 6pm; Essex Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Service, which holds a drop-in every other Wednesday between 3pm and 5pm; the Chelmer Housing Partnership drop-in, offers welfare benefit advice, which takes place the last Tuesday in every month between 2pm and 4pm; and the Essex Youth Service which runs a drop-in between 4pm and 7pm every Wednesday and also every Saturday between 10am and 1pm (apart from school holidays). For further information please call Connexions on 01245 706806.