Employment Legal Advice Service Celebrates Four Years of Pro Bono Support

• The Employment Legal Advice service offers free employment-related legal support to Greater Manchester residents.
• The service is a joint initiative between the Growth Company, Citizens Advice Manchester, Citizens Advice Bolton, Citizens Advice Salford, and a network of local legal partners.
• To celebrate four years of the service, the team hosted an event at Manchester Hall in partnership with law firm Ward Hadaway. 

The Employment Legal Advice service (ELAS) hosted a celebration event at Manchester Hall on 1st October to mark four years since its launch.

The free service, delivered by the Growth Company in partnership with Citizens Advice Manchester, Citizens Advice Bury and Bolton and a dedicated network of legal partners, is designed to make sure that everyone has access to employment legal advice, no matter their financial situation.

The event opened with the Growth Company’s Director of Strategic Partnerships and External Projects, Naomi Ilagoswa, giving an overview of the service and thanking its partner solicitors for their commitment to supporting GM residents facing employment law issues.

There was then an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the service so far, including the support provided to over 900 people since 2020, and the significant increase in pro bono appointments offered in the past year, which have more than doubled from 20 to 44 hours per month.

Finally, we welcomed Laura Darnley, Employment Partner at Ward Hadaway, who provided an insightful insight into the expected employment law changes under the new Labour government, which was followed by a thoughtful discussion.  

Speaking after the event, Naomi said: “Over the past four years, our legal partners have supported Greater Manchester residents facing all manner of employment law issues, so it was wonderful to take the time to recognise that today while also looking to the future of employment law.

“I’d like to sincerely thank those who commit their time to providing this invaluable service, and I’d encourage any employment solicitors considering pro bono work to get in touch and find out about the support available through ELAS.” 

Find Out More

Visit the Employment Legal Advice website for more information. 

The Growth Company

The Growth Company is an award-winning social enterprise with a 30-year history of enabling growth, creating jobs, and improving lives.

We help people and businesses across the UK to develop, grow, and succeed through a range of employment, skills, and business support services. We provide employment, justice, and health services across Greater Manchester, the Liverpool City Region, Lancashire, Cheshire, and Yorkshire and Humber.

Contact us today to find out more.