We are very pleased to announce that Nicola Hall, a solicitor in our civil litigation and housing team, has been accepted onto the board of trustees of Homemaker Southwest.
The primary purpose of Homemaker is to prevent homelessness and promote independence in the Devon, Plymouth, Torbay and Somerset areas. They offer specialist advice and support to individuals and families who may be at risk of losing their home. They also offer support to people who may be moving into new accommodation and living independently for the first time.
In her statement regarding the appointment, Nicola says
““It may sound cliché but I joined the legal sector to make a difference and to assist all members of our society in ensuring they have access to justice. Legal aid funding has been drastically cut which makes it extremely difficult for some people to access legal advice. We are one of only two legal aid housing providers in the entire South West region meaning the pressure on our service is immense.
The existence of charities such as Homemaker Southwest is essential to filling the gaps that occur pre-litigation. Their purpose is to enable people, especially those who are vulnerable, to set up, maintain, and sustain their homes in an effort to prevent homelessness. This is a purpose that I am proud to stand with and I am very excited to be joining the Board”.
Nicola joins an esteemed, non-remunerated Board whose members are drawn from the local community and hold a diverse range of experience in areas such housing, law, human resources and equalities and human rights. One of the charity’s founding members in 2001 was Tony Griffin, a former Partner of Cartridges Law.
Penny Scott is a Partner of Cartridges Law and joins the firm in congratulating Nicola on her appointment. She says
“Nicola is a young solicitor of whom we are very proud. She combines the Cartridges Law tradition of public service with a very cool, business-oriented and sharp mind.
Nicola works in our housing and civil litigation departments, sometimes with clients who are very vulnerable indeed; but also for landlords who need her advice on the right way to let their properties and work with their tenants. I am certain that this wide appreciation of housing issues and law will make her a great asset to Homemaker.”
As one of only two legal aid providers for housing in the South West region, we are delighted that Nicola is following Tony’s lead by becoming involved in such an important Charity.
To learn more about the charity please Website: https://www.homemakersw.org.uk/