Wards Solicitors celebrates many years of supporting Survive

Wards Solicitors has been proud to support the work of South West-based domestic abuse charity, Survive, over many years. Recently joining in their 40th birthday celebrations, members of the firm were presented with a certificate of appreciation by the charity.

Talking about the celebrations Anna Smith, Chief Executive at Survive said: "It represents huge progress in our combined approach to supporting people to cope and recover from their experiences of domestic abuse that Survive is celebrating 40 years of service."

Wards Solicitors Family Law & Divorce specialist, Jessica Williams, spoke about her own involvement with the charity: "I went to my first Survive quiz in winter 2011 and was soon invited to join the sub-committee which deals with fundraising. With support from Wards Solicitors we've been able to organise regular, popular bingo events and quizzes as well as attending Bromley Heath Summer Festival to do mini manicures and two candlelight walks through Kingswood. In all cases it's not just about raising money but also awareness of domestic violence and the charity. Members of the Wards Solicitors' team have raised money at Christmas on the Hill in Staple Hill and attended events such as line dancing."

"Importantly, however, the firm's involvement isn't just about fun events and fundraising. We also provide legal advice at Survive info sessions - this was a new thing Survive set up and asked me to be involved from the outset. Each legal specialist sees approximately 3-4 women a week at the session. Through this work we've gone on to provide support to individuals at the local Survive refuges and work with one of the support workers based at Southmead Hospital, who sees any women who come into the hospital with physical injuries as a result of domestic violence."

"We do regular talks to support workers at Survive in relation to legal aid changes and the evidence now required from women experiencing domestic violence to enable them to get legal aid and we've been involved with Survive liaising with MARAC (police) to ensure they provide the correct information."