News
The changing picture of wellbeing for sole practitioners
Running your own practice brings a level of autonomy that many solicitors value deeply. It offers the freedom to build client relationships in your own way, shape the future of your business and make decisions without layers of management or bureaucracy.
But it also means carrying responsibility that cannot easily be delegated. For many sole practitioners, the boundaries between professional and personal life are often less distinct. The success of the practice, financial security, regulatory compliance, client service and long-term planning can all rest on the shoulders of one individual.
A changing picture
Through our work with solicitors across England and Wales, The Solicitors’ Charity is seeing this changing picture first-hand. Our latest Big Report reveals that demand for support has tripled since 2023. More significantly, it highlights a shift in the nature of the challenges people are facing. Financial concerns, emotional wellbeing, health issues and professional pressures are becoming increasingly interconnected, creating situations that are often more complex than they first appear.
Last year alone, referrals for emotional wellbeing support increased by 19%, while demand for financial wellbeing support has doubled over the past two years.
These figures are more than indicators of growing demand. They suggest something broader about the profession itself. For many solicitors, pressure is no longer confined to one aspect of life. Financial uncertainty can affect confidence, while professional pressures can have a significant impact on overall wellbeing.
Without the infrastructure of a larger firm, there are fewer opportunities to share challenges with colleagues, sense-check decisions or simply step back from the demands of practice. Managing a business while maintaining high standards of client service can make it difficult to prioritise your own wellbeing, even when you recognise its importance.
Supporting sole practitioners
There are encouraging signs. Across the profession, conversations around wellbeing are becoming more open, with more solicitors seeking support earlier and recognising that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but an important part of looking after their wellbeing.
The support needs of sole practitioners are something we know well. From support through compliance and disciplinary challenges to financial help and advice when personal finances become difficult, we’re here to help directly, through our referral partners and by signposting solicitors to the right organisations and resources.
The impact of accessing support can be significant. Following support from The Solicitors’ Charity, 83% of people said they felt more positive and better able to cope.
You don’t have to face it alone
Whatever challenges you’re facing, you don’t have to navigate them on your own. Whether you need emotional, professional, financial or physical wellbeing support, The Solicitors’ Charity is here to help you access the support that’s right for you.
Join The Solicitors’ Charity Register to receive wellbeing insights, updates, and practical resources, and discover the range of support available throughout your career.
