STRATHCLYDE LAW CLINIC AND CITIZENS’ ADVICE BUREAU (CAB): Strengthening Connections

by Laura Nicol

On Wednesday, Strathclyde Law Clinic hosted a crossover event with the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)’s Employment Rights Advice Service. This event brought together students and staff from the Clinic alongside staff and caseworkers from CAB Dumfries and Galloway and CAB Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey.

The event was a great opportunity to exchange knowledge, explore potential collaborations, and strengthen the relationship between our organisations, all with a shared goal at heart: improving access to justice.

The visit kicked off with a tour of the Clinic, giving our CAB guests an insight into our work and how we support our clients. This was followed by presentations designed to deepen our understanding of each other’s organisations. Student Director, Natalie Marshall, and supervisor, Gillian Melville, delivered an engaging presentation on the Clinic’s work and outlined key ways that we could collaborate with CAB to provide even greater support to those in need.

Representatives from both CAB offices then took the stage, offering valuable insights into their day-to-day operations, the challenges they face, and the vital role they play in supporting communities. It was enlightening to examine both the similarities and differences between CAB and the Clinic—not only in terms of how we operate but also in the areas we cover and the obstacles we encounter. What became clear from the presentations was that demand for services that CAB and the Clinic offer is higher than ever, with individuals increasingly seeking guidance and support. This only reinforced the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing between our organisations to ensure those in need can access the right help at the right time.

Following the presentations, attendees had the chance to network and discuss how we could work more closely together. We identified common challenges in our work, and a shared ethos, sparking conversations about potential collaborations for the future.

For our student advisors, the event was an invaluable experience—not just in terms of networking but also in gaining a broader perspective on the sector and a wider understanding of access to justice issues and different paths that can be taken in tackling them. It was also a fantastic opportunity to showcase the Clinic’s services, particularly given that many of our clients come to us through CAB referrals.
We would like to thank all of the CAB representatives who travelled to meet us, with a special thanks to Janice Reid, Employment Rights Advice Service (ERAS) Coordinator, for contacting the law clinic and arranging the session with our supervisor Gillian.

Like the Clinic, CAB also welcomes volunteers and provides training. If you’re interested in getting involved, please contact CAB directly to learn more about their opportunities: https://www.cas.org.uk/about-us/volunteer-citizens-advice-bureau