Looking for a New Year’s resolution? Run 10k for us!
Great Manchester Run – be part of our team!
About the event
Sunday 20 May 2018, Central Manchester
We’re suggesting the 10k but there is also the option of a Half Marathon (13.1miles).
Further information is available via the event organiser’s website http://www.greatrun.org/great-manchester-run.
How to sign up
If you’re interested in being part of our team then let us know by emailing development@gmlaw.org.uk.
We don’t mind if you have never run before or if you run regularly – we welcome all abilities. The only stipulation is the minimum age set by event organisers. 10k: 15 years old+ and Half Marathon: 17 years old+.
Why join our team?
We promise that you’ll make new friends whilst getting fit and having fun! You’ll be invited to meet and connect with fellow team members via an online forum and at free local running events between February and May. We’ll use the online forum to support you to train and fundraise in the lead up to the race. We’ll provide you with a t-shirt for race day and we promise to bring a gang of supporters to cheer you on!
What do we expect in return?
We ask that you pay your own entry fee, commit to running 10k and raising a minimum of £100 through sponsorship.
All funds will go towards providing free legal advice and representation, and supporting our campaigning activity for free access to justice.
We have carefully prepared a timeline of events and further information about what you can expect: see here. If you’re interested in being part of our team, get in touch development@gmlaw.org.uk!
Law and Disorder Christmas Quiz a success
Attendees at our “Law and Disorder” Christmas Quiz will know the answer to the following:
When are Magistrates legally able to use ‘reasonable force’ to turn back an alien invitation?
a) They don’t have a license to invade,
b) They haven’t received a royal summons,
c) They are radioactive, or
d) They refuse to comply with the Highway Code!
We had a great time, many prizes were won, and we raised £250 for our campaigns and services.
Thank you to all who came along to show support and to Tom, Robert, Dee and Joseph who volunteered on the night.
The PIP Claim Process: A study by GMLC Volunteers
Paul Cosier, Katrina Beitina and Marcia Hutchinson are GMLC volunteers. Their article collates widely-felt concerns about the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim process, including some of the concerning case-studies regarding people with disabilities or chronic ailments and the difficulties they face in maintaining a claim.
Read the full article here.
“People who claim PIP have to undergo a medical assessment. The purpose of this assessment is not to diagnose the claimant, but to establish how their life is affected by their condition.
“Two private companies, Atos and Capita, have secured contracts worth around £500 million to carry out the PIP medical assessments. These companies claim that they adhere to the assessment rules as set by the DWP who are the decision maker. Nonetheless, some claimants have reported being ‘informally observed’. This means that they are watched and their behaviour is monitored before the medical assessment has even begun, and this can be used against them. Other claimants have reported problems with the 20 metre mobility test and the unreliability of the assessment as a whole. These are just a couple of the biggest let-downs with the PIP medical assessment, which is supposed to pave the way to independence.”
Case stories: Victories for GMLC clients
“A substantial risk of deterioration in her mental health”:
Our Client Ms B suffers from significant mental health difficulties. She applied for Employment and Support Allowance, which is a form of financial support for those who are unable to work. The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) initially refused to contact her GP, and relied instead on an assessment from their own providers. Ms B reported that this gave ‘no insight’ into her mental health issues.
With the help of our caseworker Ruth, Ms B’s appeal was successful. The Decision notice stated: “if she were found capable of work or work related activities, this would result in a substantial risk of deterioration in her mental health”.
From zero points to enhanced rate:
Mr J was initially awarded zero points from the DWP’s healthcare assessment. This means that he was not awarded Personal Independence Payments or any additional support. This was shocking because of his condition. Mr J has a long term diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia and is under the care of a psychiatrist, and lives in supported accommodation.
After his appeal, during which he was represented by GMLC, he was awarded 14 points. This is an incredibly high score, demonstrating that he requires assistance to prepare or cook a simple meal, to wash and bathe, to engage with others and to get around. He was awarded an enhanced rate of financial support.
We are disappointed that these clients were forced to fight protracted battles to get what they deserve. We are however pleased to have been able to help them secure justice, and we are grateful to everyone who supports us to provide these services.
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.
Our next generation of social welfare lawyers
As part of GMLC’s Pro Bono Legal Advocacy Support Project (LASP), students from the Manchester Law School represent clients at appeal hearings, who are due to have their Employment and Support Allowance reduced by the Department of Work and Pensions.
The project affords students with a unique opportunity to put into practice the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their studies and have been able to represent clients prior to becoming qualified.
We recently welcomed our new cohort of students, Evie, Ed, Suzan and Agnieszka. The induction was hosted by GMLC caseworker Samar Tasselli and volunteer Robin Serjeant.
Our LASP volunteers have an incredible success rate. Read more about the scheme here.
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.
