Week 9. Justice, Education, and Finding Purpose
Honouring Those Who Stay True to Their Path
This week, I took some time to consider those who choose to follow their own path, whether that’s through higher education, entrepreneurship, creative pursuits, or any journey that aligns with who they truly are. In a world where we are constantly bombarded with expectations of what success should look like, it takes courage to carve out a path that is unique to you.
For me, higher education has been the place where I found myself. Researching, studying, and questioning the structures that shape our world has given me purpose. But that doesn’t mean this is the only valid path. Some find their calling in starting a business, mastering a trade, or pursuing an art form that speaks to them. The key is not in what you do, but in whether you are true to yourself while doing it.
Society often places value on financial success above all else, but the reality is that success is deeply personal. Some people thrive in high-pressure corporate environments, others find fulfillment in lifelong learning, and some are happiest building something of their own, away from the traditional routes. It is not a competition. There is no single definition of achievement.
Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” (Mandela 1994) For me, education has been that tool, the means through which I can make a difference. But for someone else, that power might come from innovation, creativity, or leadership in their community. The important thing is that whatever you pursue, you do it with passion and integrity.
In 2022, I took a leap of faith and established my own legal services company.
Unlike traditional law firms, my vision was to create something different, something that sat between Citizens Advice and conventional legal practice. Even now, I don’t know exactly where the company will end up, but I do know this:
I care about Justice
I care about People
and, I care about ensuring the law is fair and accessible to everyone.
After all, fundamental rights, such as those enshrined in Article 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998, affirm the importance of a fair trial and access to justice. Without knowledge of our rights, how can we expect individuals to navigate society effectively?
One of the most pressing challenges in access to justice today is the relentless erosion of legal aid. More and more people are being left to fend for themselves in legal matters, with little to no education on their rights or responsibilities. How can we expect individuals to be upstanding citizens if they are never taught the rules of the game? This gap in knowledge is precisely where my work finds purpose.
As a researcher, and someone preparing to embark on a PhD next year, I thrive on sourcing the right information, helping people to represent themselves, and ensuring justice is not reserved for those who can afford it. Lawyers do not win cases without researchers; every legal argument, every case strategy, starts with research. I don’t need to be the one advocating in court; my passion lies in the work that happens behind the scenes, researching, drafting, and shaping the arguments that contribute to meaningful change.
For me, justice isn’t just about winning cases; it’s about fairness, making sure the law is accessible, transparent, and applies to everyone equally, regardless of power, status, or wealth.
Why?
My ‘why’ became crystal clear after my first client experience. At the time, I wasn’t taking paid clients, just looking to gain experience. A family friend reached out, needing help researching a particular area of UK law and drafting a letter. We worked on it together, and they sent it off themselves. A few days later, I received a call, the letter had resulted in a positive resolution, and no further escalation was necessary. It was a simple act, but the impact was profound. I had taken five years of university study and applied it in a way that directly helped someone.
Shortly after, I received a thank-you card from that client, along with £10 and a note that read, “Thank you so much. Have a drink on me.” I could have cried. It wasn’t about the money, it was about the humanity, the appreciation, and the realisation that this is exactly what I want to do.
The feeling was incredible, and it has never faded. Three years on, I still experience that same sense of fulfilment with every enquiry I handle.
This is my ‘why.’
Of course, financial sustainability is also important when building a company, and that aspect will come with growth. But for me, this has always been about more than just business. It has been about taking the time to educate myself thoroughly, so I can, in turn, educate others.
This week, I want to celebrate those who dare to follow their own instincts, those who choose paths that might not always be understood or appreciated by others, and those who stay committed to their own vision of success. Whether you are in a lecture hall, building a business from the ground up, raising a family or mastering a craft, if you are doing what feels right for you, then you are already winning.
Stay true to your journey, whatever that may be.
References
United Kingdom. (1998). Human Rights Act 1998, Schedule 1, Article 6. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/42/schedule/1 (Accessed:15 March 2025)
Mandela, N. (1994). Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela. London: Little, Brown and Company.
