Whether it is advising clients or helping out at our campaigning and fundraising events, the dedication and enthusiasm of our fantastic volunteers is essential to everything we do. As a charity we are always looking for more volunteers to join our fight for free access to justice. On this page you can find the latest news on what our volunteers have been up to, and updates on ways in which you can get involved.
The Greater Manchester Law Centre opened in the face of law centre closures, cuts to advice services and a harsh environment for all public services. We saw that our community was being denied justice and we said: we have to do something. Individual donations, sponsorship and community fundraising are more than top-ups for GMLC: they…
On Sunday 20th May, a brilliant team of runners will be taking part in the Great Manchester Run to raise money for GMLC. See a selection of their stories and sponsor them below: “GMLC, like many charities of its kind, provides free access to justice by advising, supporting & representing the most vulnerable through…
We are proud to announce that GMLC has been shortlisted for the Legal Aid Practitioners Group’s LALY Awards 2018 in the Legal Aid Firm/Not for Profit Agency category, sponsored by The Law Society. After the closure of South Manchester Law Centre in 2014 we said: if enough people wanted a law centre, there would be one.…
As part of our 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…
Under GMLC’s new partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and Pro Bono Community (PBC), 16 law students will assist our clients in applying for disability benefits. All of these students have successfully completed comprehensive training in welfare benefits law from PBC as well as our own training. DLA, PIP and our services Disability Living Allowance (DLA)…
Commentary by Robert Povall. Robert is a Campaign Volunteer with GMLC. He is currently studying a GDL at the University of Law and is passionate about making a difference. He wants to become a Barrister, specialising in immigration, civil liberties and human rights. Would you like to write an article or case commentary for GMLC?…
By Robert Povall. Robert is a Campaign Volunteer with GMLC. He is currently studying a GDL at the University of Law and is passionate about making a difference. He wants to become a Barrister, specialising in immigration, civil liberties and human rights. Would you like to write an article for GMLC? Get in touch development@gmlaw.org.uk…
By Haseeb Khan, GMLC Campaign Volunteer. “‘I am a BPTC graduate and I volunteer with the law centre’s research and editorial team. Having been born and brought up in Manchester I was excited to hear about the fantastic work the centre has been doing recently. Changes to the legal aid landscape are a major part…
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 here. 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…
Paul Cosier, Katrina Beitina and Marcia Hutchinson are volunteers at the Greater Manchester Law Centre (GMLC). This article collates widely-felt concerns as reported elsewhere about the Personal Independence Payment 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.
GMLC challenges welfare policy where injustices occur, by drawing on their own casework experience and promoting the stories of those let down by the welfare system. At their recent AGM they announced plans for strategic litigation, where they will bring a legal challenge against welfare policy itself. This article is therefore part of the foundations for legal campaigning.
Paul also conducted a study of the ESA claim process for GMLC, which you can find here”.