ARTICLE
JUSTICE SOS
DO WE NEED A TV SHOW TO ENCOURAGE US TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
D
IY SOS, the TV show hosted by Nick Knowles have you seen it? If you have, chances are you’ve shed a tear, or ‘had something in your eye’ at an inopportune time. If you haven’t seen it, consider yourself warned! The show introduces the viewer to people from around the UK, all of whom find themselves in urgent need of help with a building renovation or repair, and no financial or practical means of putting things right. Featured families have often been forced to live in unsafe accommodation, or housing that is not fit for purpose, for some time. A dire experience that has put health and family relationships under extreme pressure. The show brings together skilled tradespeople, volunteers and suppliers who are able and, perhaps more importantly, willing to assist. Hundreds of people, all keen to help to improve complete strangers’ lives, offering families hope and the chance to move into the future much better equipped to cope with everyday pressures and stress, with what is for the specialist q relatively a simple intervention. 8 SH ROP SH IR E L AW YER
During the show tears flow, social media is flooded with messages #DIYSOS I’m gone [crying emoji] what a great community spirit/restores faith in humanity … it couldn’t happen without our wonderful volunteers. Water cooler conversations (remember those) echo the sentiment ‘Did you see it, those poor people. Ah, if only I lived closer / was a plumber / was an electrician / could plaster / could fix a roof. It seems many of us feel that desire to assist but are often hampered by not being sure where to start or lacking the required skill. The great news for the Shropshire legal sector, is that you don’t need a TV Show or to be a plumber, decorator, or building engineer to help vulnerable people in the region. You don’t even need to be the lawyer or law firm providing the specialist legal advice. Simply support our work at the Access to Justice Foundation, as we raise funds to provide vital resources, and you will be doing exactly that.
