We are going against the grain, having started our campaign in the face of legal aid cuts, with no funding and no premises. We now punch above our weight and we are pleased to have this work recognised, and we can announce that GMLC have made the shortlist for this year’s Charity Awards in the campaigning and advocacy category.
“All the nominees on this year’s shortlist are examples of large and small charities who are truly leaders in their field. I wish the Greater Manchester Law Centre the very best of luck on the night.” – Matthew Nolan, chief executive of Civil Society Media, which organises the Charity Awards
The Charity Awards is the longest-running and most prestigious awards scheme in the charity sector. The winners will be revealed on Wednesday 5 June at The Pavilion in the grounds of the Tower of London.
“All 28 shortlisted charities this year have been judged by an independent panel of sector leaders as having demonstrated best practice in leadership and management, from which other organisations can learn” – the Charity Awards
We began with the commitment to challenge inequality and injustice. We called on like-minded individuals and organisations to join us. Since then, we have recruited and trained over 600 volunteers for front of house services, advocacy, representation, outreach, campaigning and fundraising. In our first two years we reclaimed £1.5 million in benefits which the DWP wrongly refused people in Greater Manchester. Crucially, we have demanded change, amplifying the voices of people who come through the door to challenge the hostile environments which bring them to us in the first place. We fight for access to justice, for a supportive social security system, for everyone’s right to a secure home and for an end to the hostile environment for benefit claimants and migrants.
People should not have to rely on charities and food banks to survive, yet organisations like ours are currently being overwhelmed with the rising demand. Our campaigning and advocacy work, which has been recognised by the Charity Awards here, involves fighting alongside others who share our principles.
Our supporters and volunteers allow us to do the work we do – you can read more about how to get involved here.
