Sign the petition today to end ‘no fault’ evictions | “I cannot thank everyone enough”, one client’s message | A visit from Afzal Khan MP to discuss access to justice and Windrush | The People’s Centre Project | Welcome to Kathy and Marva! | Moss Side: “a good place to be” | We support African Rainbow Family conference
Sign the petition today to end ‘no fault’ evictions
Sign the petition, find out more information about section 21 and read why GMLC supports the campaign to abolish it here.
As expressed by John Hendy QC, GMLC patron, trade union law specialist and President of the International Centre for Trade Union Rights:
“The right to decent housing is a basic human right. Far from guaranteeing such a right, UK law seems designed to obviate it.
Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 is a particularly vicious demonstration of the point. It allows a landlord to evict a tenant without any requirement to specify or prove a reasonable ground for repossession – or, indeed, any ground at all.
To achieve fairness and security for the thousands of tenants living in private rented accommodation, the balance of power needs to shift. This is why I support the grassroots groups campaigning for the abolition of section 21.”
Sign the petition, find out more information and read why GMLC supports the campaign to abolish section 21 here.
“I cannot thank everyone enough”, one client’s message
A client has very kindly offered to share these comments. “I cannot thank everyone enough. You have all supported me from start to finish and made sure that I was kept informed at all times. A special thank you to Samar and Ed, who helped me with my appeal, who never left me and and continued to support me throughout.”
All our services are free and no client ever has to pay out of their own pocket for our professional, face to face legal advice and representation. Please, consider a donation to support our vital work.
A visit from Afzal Khan MP to discuss access to justice and Windrush
Earlier this month, MP for Manchester Gorton and Shadow Immigration Minister Afzal Khan visited our premises to discuss immigration issues, the treatment of our local ‘Windrush generation’ community, cuts to legal aid and our work with the Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit.
As Afzak Khan said, “Government investment in legal aid is desperately needed”. We are gathering support for the fight for free access to justice across Manchester.
The People’s Centre Project: An exciting new community centre for Manchester needs your help
Your help is needed to realise an exciting new proposal to establish a flagship community centre in the heart of Manchester. The People’s Centre Project is currently exploring turning Trade Union Congress premises at 103 Princess Street into a centre providing a range of services and facilities serving the local community and supporting the local labour movement.
Realising this project requires it receiving all the support it can get. You can help by completing a short online survey where you can offer your feedback on the proposals. The survey is accessible here.
In the Project’s own words its objective is “to see 103 Princess Street retained for use by the Trade Union Movement and progressive forums in the city. Once established we want to see the People’s Centre play a major role in helping the voice of disadvantaged people and communities in Manchester be heard.”
You can also follow the latest updates on the Project on Twitter, @PeoplesCentreM1, or join their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/PeoplesCentreManchester/.
We at the Greater Manchester Law Centre are proud to support the project and look forward to working with the committee.
Read the full article here.
Welcome Kathy and Marva!
We are delighted to announce two wonderful new additions to the Greater Manchester Law Centre team!
Kathleen Cosgrove joins us as head of our new housing and homelessness advice services. Before becoming a solicitor, Kathy worked in hostels and homelessness advice agencies in London. She qualified as a solicitor in 2008 and has always specialised in housing and homelessness. Kathy has many links with other voluntary sector workers and legal advisors across Greater Manchester.
Kathy says: “I am really proud to join such a fabulous and exciting organisation. If anything is a match for the desperate hardship faced by our community, it’s the energy, dedication and skills of everybody involved. Greater Manchester Law Centre has achieved so much in such a short period of time. As the Law Centre spreads its wings into housing and homelessness, I am looking forward to the challenge of using our advice and advocacy to help people secure their fundamental right to a safe home.”
Marva O’Neill joins us as our part time Finance Officer. Marva has a wealth of experience working in the finance sector. Managing the finances of charitable organisations like the Greater Manchester Law Centre can be very challenging, so we are delighted have someone with Marva’s pedigree and expertise on board.
Marva says: “Although I have worked in finance for many years, I had never worked for a charitable organisation before joining the GMLC. Whilst moving into a new sector has at times been challenging, the opportunity to develop new skills, work alongside a fantastic group of dedicated staff and volunteers and serve my local community has been extremely rewarding. I thoroughly enjoy working for GMLC and would recommend it to anyone able to donate any of their time.”
We would like to extend a warm welcome to Kathy and Marva and look forward to working with you for a long time to come!
In Brief
Moss side: “a good place to be”
Our patron Dr Erinma Bell says that “Moss side is a good place to be”
“It is a vibrant, multicultural community of diverse communities.
Over the years a lot of work has been done to improve the image of Moss Side and South Central Manchester by people who live and work there. People continue to build community cohesion in solidarity together”.
Read more about how we have made our home in a welcoming community here.
We support African Rainbow Family conference
GMLC trustees Denise McDowell and Norma Turner were pleased to be invited to the recent African Rainbow Family conference. We exhibited our work and the work of our friends at Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit on sexual and domestic abuse suffered by people seeking asylum.
We are law centre run by the community, for the community. This means that we need your support. If you have a fund-raising idea, let us know at develoment@gmlaw.org.uk. Please consider an individual donation, click here.
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4 things you can do to help Greater Manchester Law Centre
- You can donate and/or set up a standing order to help fund our key legal services
- Get involved by either volunteering, becoming a member, a supporter, or if you are an organisation, you can affiliate with us. Go to the Get involved tab on the home page.
- For those of you on Twitter, #whyweneedGMLawCentre or #FreeAccesstoJustice and tell us why GMLC is so important.
- Ask for a letter of support from your local councillor/MP/community organisation/trade union branch and send it in to us.
