TSG HELPLINE

08000 856 131 or helpline@tsg.org

TRAINEE SOLICITORS’ GROUP

22 February 2007

New TSG Helpline Volunteers attend their training weekend

Last weekend (17-18 February 2007) the TSG held its TSG Helpline training for its new volunteers in Bristol at the offices of Bond Pearce.

The TSG Helpline is a confidential free phone advisory service provided by the TSG for all its members. It is manned entirely by volunteer trainees or newly qualified solicitors. Volunteers either take calls during work hours, incorporating their volunteering into their daily workload, or they can choose to take calls during the evenings. The Helpline is open from 9am - 9pm Mondays to Fridays and the phone line provides an automated system, whereby if it is not possible to get through to a volunteer on the first call the caller can call again and be put through to another volunteer.

Volunteers provide advice and support for trainees, paralegals and students on a variety of issues. These include finding a training contract, problems with debt, minimum salaries, obtaining time to count, and other problems experienced during a training contract. Many of the volunteers have had first hand experience of the callers' problems and are able to relate to situations callers may find themselves in.

The TSG Helpline Director, Kelly Dawson a second year trainee Solicitor with Bond Pearce LLP, organised the event.   The training was conducted by Natalie Goffe, who was joint TSG Helpline Director last year, and Steve Tollerton, External Trainer with the Samaritans.  Steve has been involved with the TSG Helpline Training programme for the last four years and the TSG was extremely grateful for his guidance and support.

Kelly Dawson, TSG Helpline Director said:

“Thanks to the Samaritans time and support and, of course, the volunteers, the TSG Helpline training weekend was a great success.  It was so encouraging that so many volunteers from across the country signed up.  Most of the calls the Helpline receives usually involve standard questions about careers advice and how to deal with debt.  However, thanks to the advice received from the Samaritans the volunteers have the necessary guidance to deal with the rare distressed calls we receive.  Thanks are also due to Bond Pearce who allowed us to host the event at their Bristol Office.”

The TSG President, Melissa Worth, said:

“Kelly organised a great Helpline training weekend and I am extremely grateful to all those who participated and lent support and especially the new volunteers.  The TSG is immensely proud of its Helpline and the comfort and advice it is able to offer the TSG’s members.”

It has been a busy few weeks for the TSG. On 27 January 2007, the TSG’s new elected Executive hosted its first National Meeting in Manchester, the current President’s home town.  Guests included the Law Society President, Fiona Woolf.

The TSG President, Melissa Worth, said:

“I was pleased to be able to Chair my first meeting in Manchester.  The TSG was very happy to welcome Fiona Woolf.  Fiona is clearly dedicated to promoting the interests of trainee solicitors and the junior end of the profession and our members were encouraged by the commitment she showed.”

In addition to the Free phone Helpline Service (08000 856131), the TSG provides various other services such as the TSG website (www.tsg.org) and the TSG’s regular publications including “tsgLIFE” magazine and the Training Contract & Pupilage Handbook. Through these services the TSG is able to provide information on a whole host of issues from how to find a training contract and the recruitment procedure for newly qualified solicitors, and how to develop key skills such as networking.

Factsheets

The TSG Helpline receives many calls from people looking for training contracts and to assist callers the TSG has produced a factsheet including practical tips on how to make your search more successful. A factsheet on vacation placements is also available from the TSG. Relevant work experience always looks great on your CV and it will maximise your chances of securing a training contract. To download copies of these factsheets please click on the link below.

Factsheet - Training Contract

Factsheet - Vacation Placement