Announcing: free housing advice at GMLC | Our Christmas Quiz, “Law & Disorder”, 7th December | Two cases: fighting for justice | Over £500 raised at our Open Mic Night | We feature in MMU’s pro bono video | Our University of Law volunteers hard at work
Announcing: free housing advice at GMLC
We are pleased to announce that Platt Halpern Solicitors will be providing free Housing Advice at Greater Manchester Law Centre to the residents of Greater Manchester.
Our research and experience have shown us that there is an overwhelming demand for housing advice in Greater Manchester, and we are grateful for all supporters and partners who help us to respond to this need.
Our first session was today, Friday 17th November 1.30-4 p.m.
After this first session, we will have monthly clinics on the second Friday of each month in the afternoon by appointment only 1.30-4.00 pm.
You must book an appointment, by calling 0161 769 2244, or emailing reception[at]gmlaw.org.uk.
Platt Halpern Solicitors will be offering advice to tenants and people in housing need in all areas of housing law.
We do not act for landlords.
We will deal with:
- Possession Claims
- Anti-Social Behaviour
- Disrepair
- Unlawful Eviction/Harassment
- Homelessness
- Rehousing options
- Owner Occupiers
- Housing for People from Abroad
Our Christmas Quiz, “Law and Disorder”, 7th December
On the theme of “Law & Disorder”, we will be hosting a Christmas Quiz on the evening of Thursday 7th December at TROF in the Northern Quarter
Everyone is welcome, please invite your friends. Capacity is limited so we recommend booking via eventbrite. All proceeds will go towards supporting our vital services and campaigns.
See you there!
Two cases: fighting for justice
“Many many thanks for all your advice and support”
One client was awarded benefits in a few years ago because she was unable to work due to ill health. However, this was reduced when the benefits were renewed. This was then reduced even further when she asked for a reconsideration of the decision.
On Monday, a GMLC caseworker supported her at the benefit tribunal. The client was asked a few questions in relation to her daily living. Her condition was so apparent, that it was immediately agreed that she was entitled to the full enhanced support rate without even going through the details our caseworker had prepared.
When the client and our caseworker went to collect the decision, the tribunal confirmed that she had been allowed her appeal and that they did not need to go into further detail about her health. They said that this is a case where it is clear that she been ‘massively under-assessed’, and they are sorry that the client had to go through the appeal process.
“I have now received all back payments and notification of future payments. Many many thanks for all your advice and support which made the process more bearable when a person is suffering from ongoing ill health. The appeal and tribunal process is daunting so cannot thank you enough”
“Thank you for all your care and support”
One of our clients recently attended a Personal Independence Payment assessment. She was unable to give evidence, because she collapsed due to an ongoing medical condition. She described the atmosphere as ‘callous’ and found the experience traumatising.
Following on from the assessment, the client was refused Daily Living Allowance (which is a form of financial support from the Department of Work and Pensions). However, she arrived at the Tribunal to find that the appeal had been allowed. Once the client was told, she suffered another collapse, and had to be put into a room used by the Probation Service which was thankfully empty.
This is a case that has involved shocking hardship and trauma, all to award benefits that our client shouldn’t have had to fight for. We are pleased to have been able to help her secure justice, and we will continue to campaign against such inhumane treatment.
In our first year, we helped clients to win back over £400,000 in benefits that they should not have been denied in the first place. Read more about our record here.
Over £500 raised at our Open Mic Night
We depend on community support and donations to survive. It was therefore a pleasure to entertain a bar full of friends at our Open Mic Night las week. We raised £540 in donations, all of which will go towards our campaigns and services. Thank you!
The room was packed, and all the performers were excellent. We are overwhelmed with how many talented supporters we have.
“It was such a pleasure to support GMLC at the fundraiser. I’m angry that law centres have to fundraise like this; all of us should be entitled to free legal advice and the government clearly doesn’t support that principle. As someone who has claimed state welfare benefits before and may well do again I am reassured that GMLC does so much to support people get their needs met and are defiant, principled and passionate about it at the same time. Viva GMLC!”
– Gloria Dawson, poet
We feature in MMU’s Pro Bono video
Our volunteers recently represented GMLC at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Pro Bono and Careers Fair. They feature in this short video, in which Pro Bono Director Emma Goodwin explains the benefits of voluntary experience for students.
Our University of Law Volunteers hard at work
With the start of the new academic term, we have been inundated with volunteer applications from budding social welfare lawyers. This week, we started a volunteer scheme with students from the University of Law, who are carrying out legal and fundraising research to help with our services, campaigns and expansion.
A huge thanks to Aurelie, Lily, Robert, Collette, Michael, Keng, Rebecca, Thomas, Michael and Jack for their hard work.
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. Find out how by going to the ‘Get Involved’ section of our website
- For those of you on Twitter, tweet us @gmlawcentre and tell us why access to justice 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
Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest GMLC news.
#WhyweneedGMLawCentre
#FreeAccesstoJustice.
