The Isle of Wight Law Centre has announced that it will be closing its doors at the end of the month as it has been unable to secure funding.
The centre has fought for many years to maintain its free, confidential and independent service for Islanders, but attempts to secure further funding have not come to fruition – at a time when the centre is perhaps needed more than ever before.
It means that after some 20 years, the doors will close for the final time on 31st August.
Back in 2019, the future of the Isle of Wight Law Centre was looking turbulent when the Isle of Wight Council withdraw its support for specialist Social Welfare Law services on the Island. However, a Legal Aid contract in Housing and Debt from the Government was awarded, enabling the centre to continue its work.
A spokesperson for the IW Law Centre has said:
“Firstly, we would like to thank our wonderful, caring, talented, professional staff, past and present! For all of your hard work and determination in delivering valued help and support to the most vulnerable.
“Secondly, thank you to all of our lovely supporters and clients many of which feel like family to us”.
“And finally, thank you to everyone who supported u over the past 20 years”.
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Another voice the ‘little man’ has been deprived of.
I’d say sack the diversity officers in public jobs, divert their salaries and keep the law centre for another 20 years.
It’s all part of ensuring we are quietend before our slaughter.
WAKE UP PEOPLE!
I agree this is an extremely valuable community asset and should be saved. I’m not impressed. Where is Seely?
As we are keeping the third world here now, WHO do you think pays for them all?
See why our prisons are full, our maternity wards also, and our housing stock taken, roads crammed to the max, dentists unavailable, and cut back everywhere.
HMG doesn’t pay for such people to have a better life, YOU do.
Are you actually serious? You think all the problems you describe are the fault of the ‘third world’ rather than 12 years of Tory government??
Think you are on a different planet. Anyhow without third world countries you would have no Tesla,No Gold,No Cotton,No Nike/Adidas – we have stolen from them and owe them. Most bad thugs etc are born and bred in UK and it’s racist people that bully and intimadate causing problems.
Wake up and Smell the coffee
I thought the island was already lawless.
It seems justice is only there for those that can afford it!
Nothing to do with Council having a deal with CAB? and allowing in County Hall so long as not challenge Council wrong doings. Law center would be needed more than ever in next few months, like always Council think’s it’s saving money, but long term costs them more and ultimately council tax payers – who will soon be less able to pay. So good luck the Rich as you will have to pick this up.
So good luck the Rich as you will have to pick this up
……
No, you will go without
Another loss for the island and feel sorry for all the fantastic staff that have helped those of us that can’t afford to pay the normal fees.
Get a petition started and send to Seely they are a inportant outlet for people who do not fully understand certain laws/rights etc etc , ruddy disgrace by the council i say ,
Shame on Council for no longer supporting this valuable service, you will reap what you so. Don’t be surprised if you don’t get voted in next time. At this time when society especially the lower end is being supressed beyond belief the Law Centre is needed more than ever, at least it is being used to benefit the people unlike some areas in the Council who sometimes see hell bent on breaking the public even more.
Have they tried crowdfunding? It worked admirably for the Ryde pensioner who was robbed (as reported by IE).
We have a law centre that gives free advice? I wish I had known that
Ofcourse goverment put an end to any help for the vunerable….shocking