"Because Care Leavers can become Lawyers Too" - Lucy Barnes.
@CEPbarrister
Inspiring Hope For Care Leavers to be seen for their talents. #CareLeaversCan
I am outspoken about my journey from adversity to the Bar and can be followed on @CEPbarrister or Lucy Barnes
BBC4 Women's Hour (28 Dec 2023)
"We always bring a little spark in some way, and that's just waiting to be found."
Listen here to me discussing barriers for care-experienced young people in higher education alongside presenter Krupa Padhy and Rebecca Munro (also CEP)
My Story...
About me...
I grew up amongst neglect and domestic abuse. At 13 I went into care. At 16 I was kicked out of care and went back to an unstable situation. I had no financial or emotional support and worked a part-time job to save for university. At 18 I studied law at uni. At 23 I secured scholarship to study for the Bar. At 25 I was called to the Bar and at 26 I secured Pupillage. I take pride in who I am and where I come from. It's what formed the advocate within me. My lived experiences also inspire me to make the world a kinder place for care-experienced young people.
Portfolio of advocacy/projects:
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Projects:
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Pioneered the Forever Surrey Scholarship with my university (University of Surrey) to offer a scholarship of £12,000 over 3 years to young people from Care Experienced backgrounds. See more here.
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Certified trauma-informed lawyer (November 2023).
Podcasts and Media:
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Colm Flynn's 'The Colm Flynn Podcast' (2023);
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Surrey University 2023 Forever Surrey Magazine "I can be a voice for care leavers and disadvantaged young people who haven't found theirs yet."
Published Writing:
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Human Rights Pulse - 'Straight Outta Court: 'Why Criminalising Rap Music is a Breach of Article 10 Human Rights Act 1998 (23 Feb 2021)
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Human Rights Pulse - 'The Invisible Inequality (23 Feb 2021) on discrimination against people in poverty