Catherine Dodson
Host Organisation: Central England Law Centre
Catherine graduated from Queens University Belfast in 2016 with an LLB Law with Politics degree. She first developed her interest for social justice law through working with fellow students in university run projects such as the CRAQ initiative (Children’s Rights At Queens), NISA (the Northern Irish Somali Association) and Victim Support NI. After graduating, Catherine moved to Birmingham to complete her LLM Legal Practice course in which she achieved a distinction grade. During her time studying in Birmingham, Catherine volunteered in various Central England Law Centre programs including the immigration clinic and the employment advice helpline. It was through this experience that Catherine developed her passion for social justice law and knew she wanted to pursue her career in an organisation like the Central England Law Centre. Catherine went on to work for a corporate firm after graduating with her Master’s degree before being successful in securing her training contract with the Central England Law Centre in early 2021. She is very much looking forward to developing her career with this organisation and becoming a Justice First Fellow.
Project
Central England Law Centre has been providing legal support and advice to improve the lives of people and local communities in Coventry since 1976. We believe that by activating and embedding rights in communities we can change the cultures, systems and behaviours that reinforce unfairness, disadvantage and inequality, and ensure early and preventative action is taken to protect the rights of socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and communities.
As well as helping people move from crisis to stability, we deliver services that help people anticipate problems by acting early and tackling the root cause. Hanna/Catherine will be assisting our caseworks in providing free specialist legal advice and representation in Birmingham and Coventry to people who cannot afford to pay for it in the following areas of social welfare law:
- Social Care and Health
- Welfare Benefits
- Housing
- Public Law
- Immigration and Asylum
- Employment
