Community engagement in action: School of Law students supporting refugees through pro bono work
The School of Law’s Community Engagement projects are volunteering or ‘pro bono’ opportunities that allow students to put into practice the knowledge and skills they develop throughout their studies.
The School of Law has a long history of providing our students with Community Engagement opportunities, the excellence of which is recognised by several national and University awards.
In recognition of Refugee Week, the School of Law is proud to spotlight the work of our students who volunteer their time and skills to support refugees and people seeking asylum. Through our Community Engagement projects, students are making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals navigating complex legal, social, and economic challenges. These experiences not only offer practical legal training but also foster empathy, cultural awareness and a commitment to social justice.
Our Community Engagement activities offer students the opportunity to put into practice knowledge and skills developed throughout their studies, whilst also supporting the local community. These include Cerebra, Community and Migrant Support, Immigration Family Reunion Clinic, Welfare Appeals and Tribunal Clinic, Welfare Rights Clinic and StreetLaw.
Volunteer-powered legal aid for migrants and refugees
Although all the activities support the local community, two of them also provide targeted assistance to migrants and refugees.
As part of the Community and Migrant Support project, student volunteers assist clients and visitors at the St Vincent’s Support Centre by providing information and wider community support. This includes a wide range of tasks, from immigration advice and information provision, informing visitors on education, housing or welfare matters, and broader community support needs such as creating food parcels.
When asked what they enjoyed most about being involved in this project, one student said:
I really enjoyed being able to meet a wide range of clients and get to work on various types of cases. Prior to this, I did not have any knowledge of immigration law, but now I am quite versed in it. It has really been a gratifying experience because clients are always so grateful at the end for our help, even though I feel like sometimes I did not help them that much. It also taught me how to deal with difficult clients and try to overcome language barriers.
The Immigration and Family Reunion Clinic runs in collaboration with Citizen Advice in Chapeltown. Students work with caseworkers to support refugees applying to stay in the UK, and help reunite parents separated from their children using ‘family reunion’ rules.
What I most enjoyed was the sense that what I was doing actually had a positive impact on someone, and I liked that I was able to help someone through a difficult time through my work, even if only by a little.
Refugee Week 2025
As we mark Refugee Week, we celebrate the contributions of our students and staff who are standing in solidarity with displaced communities through meaningful, volunteer-led initiatives. Their dedication reflects the School’s ongoing commitment to access to justice, community partnership, and the values of compassion and inclusion.
Find out more about all the Community Engagement opportunities offered by the School of Law here.
