A lifelong volunteer
I am lifelong volunteer and have raised hundreds of pounds for local charities such as Julia's House and the local Royal British Legion. Also I am actively involved in my local church and help to run a Christian youth holiday camp each summer.
Local charitable work
I undertake voluntary work close to home. This takes a range of forms - including litter picking. Some of the litter picks are official and organised (such as the one pictured below left) and some less so! As a barrister, I undertook pro-bono work for those unable to afford legal representation. This started with the Free Representation Unit in London and then continued with my links to the Citizens Advice Bureau. I have previously undertaken a number of cases which have been referred to me by the Citizens Advice Bureau, including a number in Dorset.
I did this work because I believe that everyone in my profession should undertake pro-bono work. There are many people who cannot afford legal representation for one reason or another. More recently as Solicitor General I chaired the Pro Bono Committee in Parliament, discussing the importance of Pro Bono work for the legal profession.
Project Umubano
I have been involved with the Conservatives Party's Project Umubano. Umubano means friendship and co-operation. This is one of the largest social action projects undertaken, and I was a member of the Justice Team in Rwanda and Sierra Leone. In Rwanda the team helped to advise those in the emerging Rwandan legal profession. In Sierra Leone I was involved in a similar project. This including delivering lectures and speaking to senior members of the judiciary about the long delays in their legal system and how best to manage cases. In addition, I took part in the Street Child of Sierra Leone project, which helps homeless children.