I truly appreciate the opportunity the firm have provided, especially as it can be more challenging for minority groups to access the same opportunities within the legal sector. The workshop was excellent, and we were treated with great support and care.

This was a really Amazing experience, got to meet so many talented people who taught me so many things about the law industry.

I really enjoyed being part of the Grassroots Programme. The workshops were engaging and provided practical insights, particularly around teamwork and communication. I also found the volunteers incredibly supportive, and their advice was both encouraging and useful. Overall, the programme helped me build confidence and develop skills that I can carry forward.

BSN has allowed me to really emulate myself as to how I should conduct myself in the interview process, Furthermore, the different mentor are really helpful in providing real insight into how the world of Law operates

I am enjoying the one-to-one practice sessions so far, they provide invaluable experience which I can genuinely use in interviews or assessment centres.

Back when I came across the Grassroots programme, knowing it was run by BSN, an organisation that actively creates space for people like me, I felt it would have been silly not to apply. It felt aligned with where I was, even if I wasn’t fully confident in myself yet. At that stage, I honestly had no clear idea of where I wanted to take my future career. I also didn’t understand what it actually takes to stand out in such a competitive profession, or what firms are really looking for beyond just academic grades. What I needed most was guidance and Grassroots didn’t just provide that, it went far beyond my expectations. One of the biggest changes I experienced through Grassroots was a massive growth in confidence. The programme helped me build confidence not only in professional settings, but also in my everyday interactions. I became more comfortable networking, speaking to professionals, and engaging with my peers. Grassroots created an environment where development felt supported rather than intimidating. The opportunities shared through the programme were genuinely pivotal to my development. As a direct result of what I learned, I was able to secure a paid placement with a top law firm. And Surprise Surprise… Everything we covered through Grassroots, from legal drafting, interview preparation, CV workshops, to negotiation skills all came into play, whether during the application process and throughout the placement itself. Through Grassroots, I developed skills such as professional communication, commercial awareness, self-reflection (from doing feedback), adaptability, and the confidence to put myself forward for opportunities I would previously have talked myself out of. Using those skills, I was able to take things even further and secure three placements within one year; something I would never have imagined possible beforehand. Another aspect of Grassroots that really stood out to me was how well organised the programme was. Materials were always provided in advance, expectations were clear, and even when things didn’t go to plan, for example I know when running events attendance can change, but the organisers adapted seamlessly. That level of professionalism was set a strong example of how challenges can be handled calmly and effectively. I also highly appreciate BSNs concerns those who may not be as flexible, and often provided us with options well in advance to when our next sessions would be, for someone like myself who has always juggled quite a fair bit of responsibility, it takes the pressure off massively and essentially allows you to get your ducks in a row and try to create that time in advance. For some that may not have been a big thing, but for myself it made me feel seen. If I had to describe Grassroots in one word, it would be pivotal. Everything I’ve learned and engaged with through the programme has helped me across different areas of my life, not just professionally but personally too. Whether or not I secure a training contract this year, I already feel that I’ve exceeded what I once thought was possible for myself.

"The BSN Grassroots Programme played a pivotal role in my journey towards securing a training contract at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer this summer. The carefully curated workshops, spanning application writing, psychometric tests, interviewing skills, and commercial awareness, provided practical insights crucial for navigating the recruitment process. The Skills Workshops, led by industry experts, were particularly beneficial. I honed essential legal skills in negotiation, drafting, and advocacy, gaining hands-on experience that set me apart in the competitive legal landscape. The legal drafting and advocacy workshops allowed me to develop key skills necessary in interviews and assessment centres, as well as ask key questions about the profession. The programme also allowed me to access resources that wouldn’t have been previously available to me. I was able to access subscriptions to websites which helped me improve my psychometric tests. I also received numerous commercial awareness books which allowed me to develop a further knowledge of key business and commercial terms, which were helpful when completing interviews and case study interviews. I am very grateful for the connections and knowledge gained through the BSN Grassroots Programme and corporate members. It's been a transformative experience, arming me with the expertise and confidence needed for success in the legal profession."

"I found the feedback from the interviewers invaluable during the mock interviews. The commercial awareness task and the breakdown of how an M&A deal were very clear and easy to follow, the interactive nature of the workshops are also really beneficial"

"The Programme has honestly helped me to prepare for things such as interviews and applications processes. Sponsors from law firms gave me advice on my cover letter which I found really helpful."

"The experience so far with the Grassroots Programme has given me more confidence to apply to firms for vacation schemes, particularly with the help provided in the first workshop. I also feel I am able to reach out for help and advice, which has been hugely beneficial. Additionally, it is great to be a part of a cohort, with other like-minded students who have had similar experiences."

"The Grassroots Programme has been a valuable experience for me as I have gained experience about the Watson Glaser test and all the different styles of questions. This has helped me think critically. I also had a lot of feedback given to me regarding my CV and how to tailor my experiences to legal skills and scenarios I'll need to experience in the future. I am glad I was chosen as I have much to learn in order to grow and develop into who I want to be and this opportunity does this for me."

Breaking out into small groups with cameras on helped with facilitating discussion, and I stayed with the same group for both activities. It also helped that someone from BSN dropped in to the break out rooms. No improvements, it was a well organised session.

I thought the plenary session at the end was full of useful insights, and it was great to hear the experiences of the volunteers, students, and organisers. Thank you for the work you do—I’m pleased I was able to help facilitate one of your sessions.

Many thanks to everyone investing significant time and effort to organise such a valuable initiative.

Interacting with the students after they had overcome their nerves was particularly rewarding. I have also had excellent follow-up engagement with Daniel Ajileye and Lily Mann Benn on LinkedIn.

The SW1 Negotiation Workshop role-play exercises really brought the students to life once they overcame their initial nerves and shyness.

"Thanks again to BSN for putting together this session and the relevant materials. The opportunity to discuss typical tasks done as part of work with keen and interested students, was enjoyable."

"Thank you for a really rewarding experience. The students were so impressive and you [BSN] made it so easy for me in terms of preparation."