What is PAMELA?
PAMELA is a new support network focused on the implications of the (peri)menopause for legal aid lawyers and the advice sector. The network will provide opportunities for sharing resources and ideas including policies, practices and information, as well as a regular space for women to connect. The network will create both physical and virtual places to share information and experiences to help legal aid and advice workers support each other and our clients. If you would like to be involved, please sign up here: https://forms.gle/cCUk6VWyGEtT5bFS9

An inaugural event will take place in February or March 2025.

The context

In recent years there has been increasing awareness of the impact of the menopause and the perimenopause on women’s health and ability to function effectively in the workplace and more widely.

This is largely thanks to the tireless work of menopause champions like Davina McCall , Kate Muir and Caroline Harris MP (who also chairs an APPG on topic).

The problem

Much of the focus has been on change within large corporate organisations and national services.

The legal aid and legal advice sector is both made up of small businesses and initiatives and also largely powered by women. The LAPG 2021 Census found almost two thirds of legal aid practitioners are women, and a large proportion of legal aid practitioners are over 40. As a consequence, support for women, whether as employers or employees, who are (peri)menopausal is both essential and under resourced.

There is the additional issue that legal aid and advice sector work typically involves exposure to high levels of trauma and stress, whether as a result of our clients’ needs and experiences or the process itself.

These issues do not just affect lawyers, but affect many of the women who need legal aid and advice services: a greater understanding of the impact of the (peri)menopause is also important to ensure women are effectively represented.

(Peri)menopause is a time of high anxiety and which may compound the problems faced by women lawyers, advisors and their clients.

The sector is on its knees and firms and organisations cannot afford the time and resources to address this issue without support.