West Derby Centre for Social Justice
West Derby Centre for Social Justice is a community initiative based in Dovecot MAC, Liverpool.
Launched in partnership with Ian Byrne MP and Merseyside Law Centre to provide West Derby residents with access to legal advice and support and to tackle social inequalities by providing a broad spectrum of advice services, working with partner organisations to establish a regular timetable of sessions.
The centre is a community hub for justice and advocacy, ensuring that local residents can access legal representation and other essential support free of charge, including on issues such as finances, debt, housing, domestic violence, poverty and hunger.
Who are we here for?
For every resident in Liverpool West Derby constituency.
Dovecot and surrounding areas are some of the most deprived in the UK. Merseyside Law Centre has been serving this community for the past thirty years and here at West Derby Centre for Social Justice we know that systemic economic and social inequality, along with generational cycles of poverty, poor educational attainment and poor health, all contribute to the serious issues faced by many in this community.
Clients with complex, intertwined issues.
West Derby Centre for Social Justice will enable clients with complex issues to access multiple agencies in a single place. This can help to reduce the time various agencies spend referring clients and, vitally, lessen the stress experienced by clients who are otherwise required to access multiple services over multiple sites. Several services housed in a single physical location can also enable greater communication between agencies when problem-solving for clients.
Below is a timetable of the regular services currently available at the centre.
For further information please contact: sophie.brown@merseysidelawcentre.co.uk
Stakeholder organisations
West Derby Centre for Social Justice is proud to work with a wide range of services to bring West Derby residents the best possible access to free legal advice and representation.
Organisations providing outreach services in the Centre include:
Merseyside Law Centre
Providing free legal advice and representation to residents on housing, debt and welfare benefits.
Raise Advice
Raise is an independent charity dedicated to empowering individuals and communities through free, confidential and expert advice and training in the areas of welfare benefits, debt, and financial capability. Raise has a team of experienced professionals offering a safe and supportive environment for residents to seek help and develop the skills to take control of their finances.
Alt Valley Trust
Working to improve the lives and well-being of local people of all ages, Alt Valley Community Trust offer services such as libraries, gyms, business start-up support. It also offers a wide range of Adult Education and training courses for local residents.
Housing - Riverside, Prima Group and Onward Homes
Providing residents with support on finances, housing, food, employment, antisocial behaviour, mental health and wellbeing.
Merseyside Domestic Violence Services
Merseyside Domestic Violence & Stalking Service supports women and girls affected by domestic violence and abuse through support, advice and educational programmes aimed at breaking the cycle of abuse and aiding recovery. MDVS behaviour change programmes are a unique service for non convicted perpetrators providing them with an opportunity to change patterns of abusive behaviour.
Liverpool Law Clinic at University of Liverpool
Supported by the university’s law students, Liverpool Law Clinic offers free legal advice to members of the public who are unable to otherwise afford it. The clinic’s solicitors are experts in their field and have many years of experience in practice.
Nugent
A leading voice in the care sector, Nugent seeks to improve the health, life chances, quality of life, safety and achievement of residents. Providing a range of services, including: care homes for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people; a secure home for children in the UK at risk due to criminal and sexual exploitation; schooling for young people with complex social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs; care homes for adults living with dementia, acquired brain injuries and neurological disorders.
Partners Credit Union
A not for profit, financial co-operative that exists for the benefit of its members, Partners Credit Union is available to those who live or work in the Liverpool City Region, work for an employer who has a place of business in the Liverpool City Region or is a member of any TUC affiliated Trade Union.
