Here’s another great example of community in the legal sector. Claire McAleer, Chair of The Law Society of Northern Ireland’s Women’s Network, tells us how becoming a mum introduced her to a supportive community of women who helped her through the challenges of parenting. She explains that the Women’s Network is built on that same sense of support - not just for mums, but for all women in the legal sector. The network aims to create a space where women can connect, share experiences, and support each other, especially when it comes to mental health. 👉 “Becoming a mum was the best and hardest thing I have ever done. I remember how strange it felt for my world to have completely and irreversibly changed while everything else out in the world at large remained unchanged. The Claire McAleer that returned to the same desk, in the same firm, with the same clients was not the same Claire McAleer that left it just under a year before. 👉 The greatest gift that motherhood gave me (aside from my babies!) was women. The absolutely incredible nurturing, supportive, funny, honest, intelligent, kind women who helped me navigate everything from breastfeeding & bedsharing to dressing a postpartum body that doesn’t feel like yours. Sharing knowledge, our lived experiences, the good AND the not so good made me feel like I wasn’t alone. 👉 I used to have a ‘Mummy Blog’ and one of my first posts was about mental health. Almost immediately I had a message from a local mum that I didn’t know thanking me for my honesty, she felt like the only one. 👉 The Law Society of Northern Ireland’s Women’s Network is for ALL women, not just mums, of course. I am genuinely delighted that it has been created for all the reasons above - the peer support of other women is simply invaluable. Not feeling alone is so important for our mental health. 👉 And the collective power of women to drive change is pretty impressive too!” The Women’s Network provides a platform for women to connect, share experiences, and drive meaningful change within the industry. For more information please email policy@lawsoc-ni.org #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #ThisIsMyCommunity #WomenInLaw #LegalSupport #WomenSupportingWomen #MentalHealthMatters #LawSocietyNI (fb)

Another fantastic example community in the legal sector is Women in Law Scotland (WiLS), a group dedicated to promoting gender equity in the Scottish legal profession. Since relaunching this year, WiLS has been building a strong network of women who come together to support and inspire each other. Here's more from Laura Meldrum (Co-Chair of WiLS): 👉 “Women in Law Scotland (“WiLS”) is a group aimed at promoting gender equity in the Scottish legal profession. The group formally relaunched this year to coincide with International Women’s Day and as the Co-Chair, I am incredibly proud to witness the remarkable movement of women in our legal community coming together to support, inspire, and uplift each other." 👉 "The value of community: WiLS are building a strong network of like-minded professionals to provide a platform for sharing experiences, knowledge, and resources. We do not underestimate the value of the community and its ability to foster a sense of belonging and mutual support for our members, which is crucial for their personal and professional growth." 👉 "The benefits of collaboration: Working together towards a common goal leads to innovative solutions and better outcomes. By collaborating with one another we hope that we can break down barriers and encourage diverse perspectives which in turn will make our legal community stronger and more resilient." 👉 "Why it matters: For women in law, having a supportive community and collaborative environment can make a significant difference to their working lives. We endeavour for WiLS to be a safe space where our members can assist each other in overcoming challenges, navigating career paths, and achieving work-life balance. More than that, we hope that WiLS can create friendships and support systems that accelerate meaningful and lasting change for our profession.” Having a supportive community can make all the difference - especially in a demanding profession like law. This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek let’s remember the importance of building connections, offering support, and creating spaces where everyone can thrive. To find out more join the Women in Law Scotland Linked group here: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8406263/ . There is no cost to join. You can also email: womeninlawscotland@gmail.com. #ThisIsMyCommunity #WomenInLaw #MentalHealthMatters #LegalSector #Scotland (fb)