Bar in the Community, or ‘BIC’ for short, offers barristers and chambers' professionals the opportunity to volunteer their professional skills to support charities across England and Wales.

Barristers and legal professionals can support various charities, causes, and communities in numerous ways, from becoming a trustee or committee member, to facilitating training and workshops, mentoring, providing business support and much more. Check out our current volunteering opportunities here.

Through Bar in the Community, volunteers can find opportunities for every skill set and at every level. Whether you are just starting out, in a senior position or retired, you will have something valuable to bring to those in need.

Not only is volunteering personally rewarding, but it can also be a fantastic opportunity to develop your CV and progress your career. Sign up here to Bar in the Community to receive regular updates on volunteering opportunities. 

Bar in the Community offers a range of local and national opportunities, meaning that volunteers can work on the causes that mean the most to them in the communities they care about.

“I simply don’t think I would be where I am without the experiences I have gained from volunteering. Professionally, board-level volunteering has helped me to build my network, learn from industry greats, test my leadership style, make mistakes and circulate my ideas about how organisations and movements should run.” 

Abiodun Olatokun, Trainee Barrister at Matrix Chambers

"Volunteers from the legal world have numerous skills and abilities which can be applied outside the context of the law. There are real benefits to the public from that shared expertise. Many of us entered the law with the aim of making our society a better place to be. It is worth remembering that you can achieve that goal outside the law too." 

Sharif Shivji KC, Chair of Advocate

Get involved in Bar in the Community

• Are you a barrister or chambers’ professional wishing to support the community by using your skills in a different way?
  
  Sign up to Bar in the Community to receive regular updates on relevant opportunities and check out our opportunities page for the latest roles
  
  
• Are you a voluntary organisation seeking the skills and experience of barristers or chambers' professionals including clerks, marketing, finance, HR and business professional?
  
  Advertise an opportunity through Bar in the Community by completing our opportunities form and returning it to bicenquiries@weareadvocate.org.uk. Please note that we are only able to advertise trustee and governance roles where the organisation operates in the legal sector or the role specifically requires someone with a legal background.
  
  
• Are you looking to find out more about what we do, or see how we can help?
  
  Email bicenquiries@weareadvocate.org.uk to find out more about becoming a volunteer or advertising opportunities through Bar in the Community