Don’t forget: our AGM 28th September | Open letter to Andy Burnham: What’s going on with our levy campaign? | Our Management Committee members volunteering in Athens | Three thank you messages for GMLC | Training Contract opportunity with GMLC | Helping us out has never been so easy
Here is a round-up of the latest access to justice stories:
- Unaccompanied Children Face Battling Immigration Legal Cases Alone
- Public legal education is fundamental to access to justice – and must be a priority
- Law centre hails growing support for levy on corporate firms
- Competitive tendering for housing duty contracts risks leaving clients without services
Don’t forget: Our AGM 18th September
Everyone is welcome at our AGM, Thursday 28th September 2017, 6:30pm at the Mechanics Institute. Come along to hear about our successful past year and participate in making plans for the future.
Open letter to Andy Burnham: What’s going on with our levy campaign?
At the start of July, we delivered our open letter to Andy Burnham. We invited him to follow up on discussions we had enjoyed earlier in the year, in which we had proposed a levy on corporate law firms to support free legal advice and representation for the people of Manchester. As covered in the Law Society Gazette, we have seen significant progress. Since then, around 350 community members and high-profile supporters have put their name to the open letter, and we have experienced a flurry of discussion and support on social media. We are now engaged in constructive discussions with the Mayor’s office, and we are eager to see where this leads.
Click here to see our statement on this campaign’s development, including our response to queries and challenges.
Our Management Committee members volunteering in Athens
GMLC management members and Kenworthys barristers Mark Schwenk and John Nicholson have been assisting the “Refugee Legal Support” project, based at the Khora Community Centre in Athens.
GMLC Chair John Nicholson
GMLC’s Mark Schwenk hard at work with Khora legal volunteer Matt Jenkins
We are very proud of their work, which you can read about here.
Three thank you messages for GMLC
We are pleased to be able to share three thank you messages sent to GMLC recently.
Firstly, one client Sue kindly sent us this message after our fantastic volunteer, Shaheen, assisted her claim.
“I cannot praise highly enough the support and professionalism shown to myself during the process of Mandatory Reconsideration for PIP. The Greater Manchester Law Centre and my volunteer advisor Shaheen Mansoor kept me informed every step of the way. Advising on what I needed to obtain and what they could obtain from several different Health Professionals, following given permission to contact them by myself. If there was a stumbling block or I was being incorrect advice over charges for obtaining certain medical records, they were there to assist in drafting a letter to ensure the correct evidence was obtained; and where a charge was required that this was the correct one. Ihave recommended them to numerous groups… as well as individuals who are struggling with benefits and PIP. I canny thank them enough for the help given to myself; more so as I won the Mandatory Reconsideration for PIP and had it backdated to when it was altered. Many thanks” – Sue
Secondly, It was a touching moment for us at GMLC when another client, remaining anonymous, recently told us that she was very happy with the service she received at our employment drop-in. She said she was extremely glad that GMLC has set up this service for people like her. She then very generously donated the money she had in her wallet (£10) to us and said she wished she could give more to help us expand our services. We are thrilled to have been able to help.
We do not and we will not ask for payment for our services. We are, however, incredibly grateful for all donations from those who recognise the important work we do. Donating is now easier than ever, as debit or credit card payment only takes a moment and a few clicks. Donate here.
Lastly, One volunteer who worked with our campaign team over the summer kindly sent us this message:
“During my time volunteering at Greater Manchester Law Centre, I got an insight into the fantastic work it’s team does for the local community. It was inspiring to see how issues such as access to justice are campaigned for so passionately and with such professionalism. I came away from the experience with new friends, skills and a better appreciation of the vital work law centres do across the country” – Chris
To find out more and to see the messages in full, click here.
Training Contract opportunity with GMLC
Applications close 18th September for our Training Contract opportunity. The start date is January 2018, and candidates must have completed the LPC (the professional training qualification for solicitors). If you are interested or know anyone who may be, please find more information here.
Helping us out has never been so easy
GMLC is run by the community for the community and your contributions are vital in securing key, free face-to-face advice and representation services as well as for fighting together for free access to justice.
Making a donation online is now quick, easy and completely secure.
You don’t need a PayPal account, you can simply pay with your debit/credit card.
Please share the following link with your family, friends, colleagues or other contacts to invite them to support the Greater Manchester Law Centre as well: http://bit.ly/2vXKTP6
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.
