Lucy Barnes Public Speaking
Schools. Conferences. Events.
Ronny Tucker '2023 Conference Violence Against Women'
"I’d like to thank you for speaking at our conference on the 28th of September 2023. I have had lots of positive feedback from people about your presentation. Personally I found you to be such an inspirational speaker. Your story whilst sad, showed how young people can turn adversity into a positive outcome. You represented yourself and other young people who have been in a similar situation and showed that with support and determination young people can achieve their goals. I would definitely love to have you back in Sheffield as I think lots of people would benefit from listening to you.
If I had to describe you and your presentation in one word I would say that you were phenomenal. I hope that you continue to deliver your presentation as from the feedback that I have received has certainly inspired the practitioners who attended the event, this included leaving care staff, youth justice staff, social workers, social work students, South Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Police, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service and various community groups. Please keep doing what you do, everyone needs to hear Lucy Barnes."
Antonia Jackson (Headteacher), Tom Harrup (Teacher) and Erika Payne (Educational Psychologist) (2023):
"Lucy visited our setting in October 2023 for the purpose of providing aspiration for children and young people who have experienced difficulties around trauma and attachment, are care experienced or struggle to engage with mainstream education due to poor mental health. Lucy spoke about her past experiences and her professional development. She also aimed to create an understanding for legal matters and the opportunities within the legal profession. It is the perfect workshop/educational strategy for engaging pupils for learning about British Values, in a tangible authentic way. The lived experience is inspirational and pupils will learn because of this.
Lucy made a fantastic impression. She was able to connect with young people who may otherwise be hard to reach. She was approachable and inspirational. She made it seem possible that you can follow your dream if people believe in you and you believe in yourself.
We would love to have her back any time."
Iain Smith, Keegan Smith Defence Lawyers (2023):
“I was lucky to hear Lucy talk to lawyers on the Law Society Certified specialist Trauma Aware Law Course in September 2023. Lucy is inspiring. She exudes positive energy & promotes vicarious resilience. I believe the hardship she experienced when she was young make her not only a great teacher to learn from but she will become an exceptional Barrister. Her empathy & compassion are in abundance. All lawyers would improve their own skills by listening to what she has to say.”
Widening Participation and Outreach Team, University of Surrey (July 2023)
"Lucy delivered a talk at the University of Surrey forour on-campus Discover Summer School for under-represented young people, as part of a session onexploring the different educational pathwaysavailable to them. Lucy’s talk was perfectly pitchedto the audience – which included many careexperienced and young carer students – as sheoutlined her personal journey to becoming a future pupilbarrister. Her open and candid approach to sharing thedecisions she has made was enthusiastically received by the students.Lucy’s relatable delivery style connected deeply with the students, manyof whom found her story of being a care experienced young person to beinspirational – demonstrating that they too can overcome the challengesthey face in pursuing their aspirations."
Virtual College for LB Hounslow (October 2023)
"We had the pleasure of having Lucy speak at our annual Kids in Care Awards. Lucy’s story is one of resilience, strength, and determination. Her care experience and personal journey makes her an inspirational figure for young people who may be going through similar circumstances. Lucy’s ability to connect with her audience on a personal level, coupled with her authenticity and honesty, made a great impact on the young people attending our event."
Portfolio of public speaking:
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10th October 2023: 'Inspirational guest speaker' at Hounslow Council's 2023 Kids in Care Awards (KICA) speaking to young people in care about drive and self-belief;
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3rd October 2023 - Guest speaker at 'Trauma-Informed Lawyers' accreditation course hosted by Trauma Aware Law and the Scottish Law Society regarding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)'s and the power of lived experience in my legal career;
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29th September 2023 - Keynote speaker at the 2023 Aspire Boxing conference on Violence against Women at St Mary's Church in Sheffield. I spoke about my journey to the Bar and how I overcame the discrimination I have faced as a woman from a care-experienced background;
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2022-2023 - 'An unexpected barrister': Speaker in multiple schools (for example Quorn Hall School in Loughborough, Ormiston Sudbury Academy in Suffolk) to young people about my non-traditional journey into the legal profession. I prepare workshops on the law and connect with young people in disadvantaged areas to help them discover their strengths from adversity;
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March 2021 - Keynote speaker at the National Youth Employability Network 'Careers in Law' panel, speaking about barriers to entering the industry from a less advantaged background and how to remain determined despite them;
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April 2021 - Keynote speaker for 'Neurodiversely Talented: Law with Disabilties' where I spoke about my experiences with Dyspraxia in the legal profession;
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May 2018 - TEDx Lucy Barnes 'The Dreaded Drama Triangle' where I speak about a psychological theory of communication and 'Creator' as opposed to 'Victim' consciousness;