The Survive and Thrive Steering Group was established by the Inn’s Membership Committee in 2015 to support members of the Inn at all stages of practice at the Bar, through events focused on wellbeing, resilience and professional development. The purpose of the initiative is to create space for honest conversations about the realities of practice, while equipping members with practical tools to support sustainable and fulfilling careers.
Over the past year, the programme has continued to explore both the practical and personal challenges of life at the Bar, while creating opportunities for members to reflect, learn and connect with one another.
In October 2025, we were delighted to welcome Professor Fuschia Sirois to the Inn to deliver ‘The Art of Getting Things Done: Beating Procrastination at the Bar’. The event examined the causes and consequences of procrastination in professional life, alongside practical strategies for managing it more effectively. The session was very well attended both in-person and online and received extremely positive feedback from members. We were particularly grateful to Professor Sirois and hope to welcome her back for future events, including on the theme of self-compassion.
In December, the Steering Group hosted ‘The Literary Lawyer: Why Do Barristers Write and How Do They Get Published?’ The event explored the relationship between legal practice and writing, bringing together speakers to reflect on their experiences of publishing alongside careers at the Bar. The session was exceptionally well attended, despite taking place during the busy pre-Christmas period, and generated enthusiastic feedback from members. It prompted wider reflection on creativity within the profession and the different ways in which members of the Bar develop identity, voice and career fulfilment.
On Tuesday, 9 June 2026 we hosted a follow-on event, ‘Finding Your Voice’. We were delighted that Afua Hirsch, Bencher of Middle Temple and author of Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging and Decolonising My Body, was joined by His Honour Judge Edward Connell, Circuit Judge at Croydon Crown Court for this event. The discussion explored the challenges and rewards of autobiographical writing and storytelling in public life, and considered how personal narrative, identity and lived experience shape writing and voice across legal and wider professional contexts.
Accessibility and inclusion have remained central to the programme throughout the year. Wherever possible, events have been delivered in hybrid formats, enabling members outside London, or those unable to attend in person due to professional, caring or health commitments, to participate fully. This continues to be an important aspect of ensuring that the programme is accessible to the widest possible range of members.
The Steering Group remains extremely grateful to members who continue to engage so positively with the initiative and who generously provide suggestions for future events and speakers. Many of the most successful sessions have arisen directly from member feedback, reflecting the value of an open and responsive programme.
Finally, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the members of the Steering Group, and to Laura Hacon for her continued support as administrator, for all their hard work in making the programme possible.
Master Karen Reid has been Chair of the Survive and Thrive Working Group since March 2024. Karen was Called in 2010 and appointed Master of the Bench in 2024. She practises predominantly in housing and immigration at the 36 Group where she is joint head of the public and human rights team.
