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  1. The difference we make
  2. Tackling poverty

Tackling poverty

An individual or family is in poverty if they “[…] lack the resources to obtain the types of diet, participate in the activities and have the living conditions and amenities which are customary, or at least widely encouraged and approved, in the societies to which they belong.”

Townsend, P. (1979) Poverty in the United Kingdom, London, Allen Lane and Penguin Books

Our clients are those who are most disadvantaged and socially excluded.

They experience multiple and interlinked problems but the most prevalent issue defining their lives is poverty, and this has significantly worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Increasingly, our clients do not have the resources to meet their needs. Their lives are constrained and they have very restricted choices, and their physical health and well-being is likely to be compromised by lack of funds for food and heating.

Through our legal casework we can make a direct impact on poverty by:

  • Maximising the support people get from benefits
  • Working intensively with families on money management and debt
  • Helping people gain secure immigration status, which in turn allows them to access services and financial support
  • Preventing unfair dismissal and discrimination in employment – keeping people in jobs or securing compensation where that’s not possible
  • Helping survivors of domestic and financial abuse to secure safety and financial support
  • Preventing evictions and negotiating arrangements that ensure tenants can pay their rent
  • Ensuring people living with long-term conditions and disabilities get the services and support they need to live independently.

Ignite

Our five-year programme of work to inspire the public sector to invest more in prevention and early intervention has been awarded funding for a further two years.

We’re using our learning to build a specific focus on poverty and poverty-informed service delivery for Coventry, beginning with children’s services as a flagship partner, with frontline staff understanding the impact of poverty and able to provide improved responses within their service offer.

Alongside very practical help we will seek to build alliances in Coventry that reframe attitudes, behaviours and practice around those suffering hardship and poverty.

Our vision is a city where organisations and structures recognise the signs of poverty, engage with its limiting effects on an individual’s abilities and choices, and provide help at the earliest moment to act on it.

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Latest

  • Immigration Paralegal Birmingham

    Immigration Paralegal Birmingham

    A fantastic opportunity for somebody committed to social justice to develop their career in Immigration and Asylum law. Join us and play a pivotal role in the smooth running one of the Law Centre's largest teams.

  • Immigration Paralegal Coventry

    Immigration Paralegal Coventry

    A fantastic opportunity for somebody committed to social justice to develop their career in Immigration and Asylum law. Join us and play a pivotal role in the smooth running one of the Law Centre's largest teams.

  • Domestic Violence Immigration NRPF Network

    Domestic Violence Immigration NRPF Network

    Central England Law Centre partnership with Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid, Red Cross, Baobab, Roshni and Refugee & Migrant Centre to form a domestic violence network to better support and secure improved outcomes for women with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) seeking protection from their abusive partners.

  • Supreme Court confirms new right to claim advance payments of Universal Credit despite not having a National Insurance Number

    Supreme Court confirms new right to claim advance payments of Universal Credit despite not having a National Insurance Number

    The Supreme Court has refused the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions permission to appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision on the Department for Work & Pension’s policy refusing advance payments of Universal Credit to claimants waiting for National Insurance Numbers, upholding the existing judgement.

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  • Contact Us

  • How do I represent myself at an Employment Tribunal?

    How do I represent myself at an Employment Tribunal?

    Thinking of taking action at the Employment Tribunal without professional advice or representation? Find out how to represent yourself.

  • What we do

  • Housing Advice (Birmingham)

    Housing Advice (Birmingham)

    Housing advice, representation and advocacy at court. We assist individuals only, we do not act for landlords or mortgage lenders

  • Housing Advice (Coventry)

    Housing Advice (Coventry)

    Housing advice, representation and advocacy at court. We assist individuals only, we do not act for landlords or mortgage lenders.

  • Volunteer

    Volunteer

    The Law Centre is a resource for the whole community and we rely on our amazing team of volunteers help us reach more people with our services.

  • Child and Family Law

    Child and Family Law

    We provide advice and representation on all aspects of family and childcare law in Coventry.

  • Asylum and Immigration Law

    Asylum and Immigration Law

    Legal advice and representation to people seeking to regularise their immigration status.

  • Welfare Benefits Advice

    Welfare Benefits Advice

    Representation at appeals at the Upper Tribunal for those on low incomes eligible for legal aid. One off advice on general welfare benefits issues in the community.

  • Employment and Discrimination Advice

    Employment and Discrimination Advice

    Advice and assistance in employment and discrimination law for people living in Coventry postcodes.

For general enquiries or to make an appointment contact us on:

Coventry: 02476 223 053 Birmingham: 0121 227 6540
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Registered office:
Oakwood House, St Patricks Road Entrance, Coventry, CV1 2HL

Phone 02476 223053

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Registered in England & Wales as Central England Law Centre Ltd, a company limited by guarantee No. 4149673