Elif Akkurt

Here are my experiences as an ideal candidate for Welfare-Officer for Law Society and my ideas below:

For me, a Welfare Officer is someone who fosters a positive and balanced environment in the Law Society. 

Qualifications:

• Safeguard Training as Teaching Assistant 
• Enhanced DBS Certificate 
• First Aid Training 
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Training
• Child Protection Training 
• Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre Training 

Ideas for Law Society:

Mental Well-Being:

• One-to-One Emotional & Academic Support Sessions: supporting members with any academic struggles (managing workloads, exam prep), and emotional well-being (imposter syndrome, stress management, self-care)
• Online Booking for Sessions: Make these supports sessions easily accessible by creating an online scheduling system. This way students can book confidential sessions at their convenience without waiting. 
• Participating in All Events: As welfare officer, I will ensure to be in every event to ensure everything is running smoothly and students can always approach to me in-person for any issues they will like to share with me. Additionally, being present at events can ensure security at all times and making students and committee members feeling safe. 
• Booking Well-Being Drop-In: In my high-school, I managed the emails for students experiencing any difficulties in academics, bullying, domestic-violence, and students who are experiencing difficulties managing their school and work and providing them support. 
  • I want to open this drop-in for any students struggling and provide them any support that is necessary for their personal and academic success/growth. 

Physcial Well-Being:

• Offer Yoga/Pilates Workshops: Stress relief post-exams or during busy periods. Partnering with a wellness studios or clubs to offer discounted classes for members. Creating a pilates workshop for students! 
• Active Socials: Arrange outdoor events during professional networking events with law-firms and chambers. 
• Dietary Requirements: Ensuring events provide food options which cater all students (gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, vegan, keto-friendly, halal, kosher, low-FODMAP, Paleo, Low-sodium, allergy-free and many more!)

Diversity and Inclusion 

• Inclusive Hiring Practices: Advocate for diversity in the Law Society committee and its leadership by making sure the nomination process is accessible and welcoming for people from every background. This includes, religion, race, gender, disability, and socio-economic background.
  • Gender-Neutral Langauge will be promoted. 
  • Support for All Genders: everyone has equal access to leadership roles, events and opportunities. 
  • Offer programming focused on empowering feamle students, students from ethnic-background and non-binary individuals in law. 
  • Working with Open-Days for Women in Law and diversity events, such as Ropes & Gray and Slaughter and May. 
  • Racial Inclusivity: helping the president and vice-president to arrange guest speakers who can provide insight into diversity into legal careers. 
  • Religious Practices: avoiding schedule events for major holidays, such as Ramadan, Eid, Christmas, Easter, Diwali and many more!

Financial Well-being:

• Providing high priority to students who are receiving bursaries/student finance/scholarships for law events. 
• Supporting and making discounts for students who may be experiencing financial difficulties for our events, i.e law-balls. 
• Collaborate with organisations for our members to create scholarships for students in need based on academic merit and societal achievements. 

My Experiences:

Outside School (Recent to Old):

Part-Time Teaching Assistant at Secondary School: 

• One-to-One Student Support: provided academic and emotional support to students, ensuring they felt heard and encouraged in their learning environment - every student deserves to be in a positive environment which makes them feel confident and aspired. 
• I have worked closely with students with special needs with professional teachers, developing patience, adaptability, and inclusivity in a school environment. 
• Trained in safeguarding procedures and supported students facing mental health challenges, reinforcing the importance of well-being. 
• Mentoring students academically on improving their concentration skills, revision, studying, and not neglecting self-care.

Hainault Medical Centre (Medical Intern)

• Handled sensitive patient information which trained me to maintain confidentiality and ethical standards in the Medical Centre, which are crucial for dealing with personal concerns and sensitive welfare cases and keep them private. This also ensures that individuals fell safe and respected and any personal information will not be shared to anyone from the Law Society and their members. 
• I have worked alongside healthcare professionals, strengthening my ability to collaborate effectively - key for working within a committee in pressured and fast-paced environment. 
• Assisted in a fast-paced environment, preparing me to handle student concerns effeictly and with care. Every student deserves to have a time to take care of themselves. 

Teaching Assistant at Primary School

• Adapting teaching methods for students with academic difficulties, and providing them one-to-one sessions to help them learn with individual feedback. 
• Trained in safeguarding protocols and supported students facing emotional challenges, reinforcing commitment to student well-being.
• Helped students develop self-confidence and resilience, as it is important to look at the positive side of situations and advertising an empowering community.

Mental Health Network - High School 

• Organised self-development days focusing on mental-health, i.e bracelet making, creating posters, mindfulness talks, affirmations - which are important for well-being within student communities at A-level.
• Encouraged open discussions on mental-health, fostering a culture where students feel comfortable in seeking support for their self-development.
• Worked with student officers to reach out and provide professional advice to students experiencing domestic violence in school grounds, with confidentiality and support throughout their academic years.
• Presented in assembly on Monday weekly to demonstrate tools for students to balance academic pressures with mental well-being.

Inside-School: 

Co-President of the Women in Law Society 

• As Co-President, advocated and empowered individuals who are underrepresented in the legal field, to reinforce commitment to a welcoming law society. 
• Arranging events promoting equal opportunities, and ensuring members feel valuable and empowered. 

Domestic Abuse Filling Form Clinic 

• Assisted individuals in sensitive situations, handling sensitive cases of domestic violence, ensuring confidentiality and creating a professional rapport. 
• Supported clients through filling forms using the CourtNav system. 

School-Tasking

• Delivered interactive law sessions, making legal education accessible and engaging. 
• Supported students in understanding the law, by explaining legal concepts simply and making students more confident in public-speaking skills.