Business, Law and Accountancy clinics of value to Liverpool
University towns benefit hugely from the term-time influx of students, with bars, shops and rental properties the most prominent winners.
Yet equally welcome is the enormous social value students in Liverpool bring via work experience, volunteering and work for the community, as demonstrated by a new audit of the Business Clinic, the Legal Advice Centre and the Accounting Clinic at Liverpool John Moores University.
These three public-facing centres, which offer free advice for small businesses, charities and members of the public are calculated to bring well over £500,000 in social value to the community.
Social Value is broader than monetary value and includes all the wider positive outcomes of an enterprise, both economic and social.
Career experience for students
The students, supported by academic experts and, in the case of the Law Clinic, external solicitors, offer their services ‘in return for’ career-oriented experience working on real world projects and cases.
The clinics, based on Hardman Street, in the city centre, aim to help meet rising demand from those priced out of hiring lawyers and accountants, either in personal or business spheres.
Tim Nichol, Professor of Management and Pro Vice-Chancellor with oversight of the clinics, says the university has a civic responsibility to help its communities. He said: “There is a vast unmet need out there with many people struggling, so if we can lend our experts and students to make a difference, that is really positive.”
And make a difference they do. According to Capita and Gleave People Ltd, who undertook an audit of Social Return on Investment (SROI), the clinics lead to tangible benefits – using indicators such as turnover growth, employment status, wellbeing or improved skillsets.
LFC Foundation projects
The Business Clinic, now in its seventh year, sees students offer creative and fresh solutions, typically in competitor analysis, market research, business development and social media campaigns. One group, for example, created a social action campaign for Liverpool FC Foundation. Last year the Clinic saw over 400 students provide a service to more than 90 organisations.
Now in its fourth year, the Accounting Clinic gives students from the Accounting and Finance degree opportunities to work with an external clients, usually in the charity sector.
The Legal Advice Centre – the university’s flagship clinic, works with 70+ local solicitors, lecturers and students to deliver advice on housing, civil, family, human rights and community economic development.
It is estimated that the financial value of the advice delivered through legal clinical practice work amounted to £1.34m in 2022/23. Moreover, the Law Society has concluded that for every £1 invested in free specialist legal advice, there is a saving to government of £2.71, as early-stage advice prevents cases from going to court.
Helping our communities
Overall, Capita and Gleave People Ltd estimate the social value of the clinics over the year to be more than £560,000.
“This is a very encouraging return and we are delighted to help our communities while designing innovative ways for our students to achieve in the real-world even before graduation,” said Track Dinning, Professor of Entrepreneurial Education at Liverpool Business School.
Head of the Legal Advice Centre Rachel Stalker said: “The students in our Legal Advice Centre work tirelessly to help others and to make a difference outside the lecture theatre. They are really passionate to apply their own learning and skills to the challenges faced by our clients and they will be better lawyers and professionals as a result.”
A recent ‘Economic and Social Impact Assessment’ showed the university delivers more than £470m in value to the Liverpool City Region economy and almost £900m to the UK economy every year.
