Meet the students supporting vital work at the Salford Foundation

Working predominantly with service users at the Women’s Centre, many of whom have complex issues and have been victims of domestic violence, students are able to test the skills they have learned at University in a real world environment, while also benefiting the Salford city community.

Meet Millie Spriggs, a recent graduate of Salford Business School, who studied Law and Criminology at the University of Salford. Through working with the SILKS law clinic, part of the University offering which allows students to help advise on legal matters within the community alongside qualified solicitors, Millie worked closely with the Salford Foundation to provide pro bono legal advice to service users. Working on complex cases anchored in the principles of family law, she was able to make a real difference to the lives of people within the Salford community.

“I’d like to thank the Salford Foundation for giving me such an incredible opportunity to work on real life cases,” Millie said. “The Foundation provide a vital service in the Salford community, offering a safe space for women to access the help and support they need, and I’m so glad I was able to be a part of the services offered. Learning in this practical way taught me to be personable and professional and I was required to carry out legal research across a range of different areas. The experience really helped to inform my decision to pursue a career in law after University.”

The University’s partnership with the Salford Foundation goes deeper, with students at the School of Health and Society also undertaking social work placements with the charity.

Cathy Deihim is the Employability Advisor for the School of Health and Society, supporting undergraduate students on non-allied health-related programmes. This includes Psychology, Sociology and Criminology.

Cathy said: “We have worked with Salford Foundation extensively, and it has proved to be an immensely important relationship. Their clients are referred via the Probation Service, and our students are able to gain very useful experience working with their service users.  It’s vital that they have the opportunity to meet real people and have the chance to apply their learning in authentic, human situations.” 

Maggie Langhorn, Deputy CEO at Salford Foundation, added: “We’re proud to work alongside the University of Salford to create opportunities for the next generation of our workforce. Working at Salford Foundation can be challenging, as we support a lot of vulnerable service users with complex needs and situations.. Unfortunately, these challenges are replicated in the working world within the social work and legal professions, so exposing students to these situations early in their career can be a really beneficial experience for young people.”

Louise Hall, Senior Lecturer in Law, Solicitor, and SILKS lead at Salford Business School, further commented: “At the University of Salford, we’re industry-led, and we look to make our students as employable as possible when they graduate. With something like law or social work, on-the-job training can be invaluable while you are studying. I’m so proud of how our students have worked alongside the Salford Foundation to deliver services to the residents in Salford who need it most. Long may the partnership continue!”

To find out more about Salford Foundation visit their website.