GMWRAG, Tameside WRS, NWMHWRAG and GMSCG presents

"Everyday Equality: challenging discrimination in the welfare benefits system" featuring Jo Chimes and a whole lot more.

The meeting is hosted by Tameside Welfare Rights Service in conjunction with GMWRAG, GM Strategic Casework Group and the North West Mental Health Welfare Rights Advisers Group.

It is a full day event and will take place at the LGBT Foundation, 5 Richmond Street, Manchester, M1 3HF. We'll be open for refreshments, networking and gossip for 9:30am with a planned running time of 10am to 4pm.

Lunch will also be provided free of charge but attendees must immediately follow up their reservation of a ticket by contacting GMWRAG with details of whether or not you need a special diet and what it is. In the absence of that information we can't guarantee the suitability of what will be available.

This will be the northern version of the excellent event run for those grim southerners by Jo in May 2018. You can read more about that here and we recommend all potential attendees download a copy of the absolutely invaluable "Practical Equality Rights in Welfare Benefits Advice" in advance of attending.

The full agenda for the day can be downloaded from https://gmwrag.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/everyday-equality-meeting-manchester-18-jan-2019-final-agenda-v2.docx and if you're reading this then you've probably aware that full details of the event are available on the GMWRAG site at https://gmwrag.wordpress.com.

However, guest speakers include

Julie Jarman - EHRC

Jo Chimes - Equality and Diversity Forum

Sam Karim QC - Director of the Manchester Public Law Pro Bono Scheme

Tom Royston - Garden Court North

Catherine Rayner - Chair of the Discrimination Law Association

Francine Morris - EHRC

Katy Watts - Public Law Project

Catherine Casserley - Cloisters

Nick Whittingham - Kirklees CitA Law Centre

Ryan Bradshaw - Leigh Day

Sarah Moor - Citizens Advice Craven and Harrogate

There may be even more speakers to follow.

FAQs

What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from the event?

If you can get to Manchester Piccadilly station then you are a massive 9 minute walk away from the venue. Please note that the walk is mostly not on level ground and some pavements and roads may not be suitable or ideal for wheelchairs e.g. Canal Street.

How can I contact the organiser with any questions?

Please see https://gmwrag.wordpress.com/contact-gmwrag. Our preferred means of contact will be by @Twitter DM to @GMWRAGTweets. Alternatively you can contact mike.hughes@salford.gov.uk but please be aware that emails may not now be answered until at least the 8th of January 2019 whereas our social media account is regularly monitored.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

This is a training event rather than a GMWRAG meeting. It is not a venue we have used before and it would be disrespectful and possibly illegal to exceed the limit they describe for the room. For that reason, and unlike most GMWRAG meetings, which tend to be under rather than oversubscribed, we will not be admitting people who turn up on the day without a ticket unless the venue explitly agree. You travel without a ticket at your own risk. Please either bring a printed ticket or a smartphone with the Eventbrite app showing your ticket. You won;t get past reception without some form of ticket.

Is it ok if the name on my ticket or registration doesn't match the person who attends?

We would ask that GMWRAG members are respectful of this process and the venue. On this occasion there is plenty of time between now and the meeting to contact GMWRAG and advise of any necessary changes. As above, you are travelling without a ticket in your own name at your own risk.

Importantly this is an event at which lunch is provided so if you have any special dietary requirements you will need to notify us if the attendee and the dietary requirements change. Thank you.