The Speakeasy Law Centre aims to seek justice by giving free legal advice to some of the most vulnerable people in Cardiff, offering hope, compassion and understanding. Legal stress harms so many, it affects both physical and mental health, impacts educational attainment and deprives people of opportunity. It can feel like a spiral of hopelessness and despair.
Every year our small team of qualified professionals helps more than 1000 people find justice who have been discriminated against and marginalised through unfair decisions in housing, debt, employment and welfare benefits.
Sometimes these unjust decisions would have otherwise left individuals or families homeless or destitute. We hold landlords to account to make sure people have safe and secure places to live. We take carrier bags full of bills that people are too scared to open and help them renegotiate and write off their debts. We make sure families in crisis can access emergency food.
For some people, the problems stem from the loss of a job or a loved one, for others it is domestic abuse, disability, or fleeing an oppressive regime. Whatever the cause, we talk to people every day who are doing their very best just to make ends meet; to feed their kids and keep a roof over their heads, to hold their families together. These people need our help and expertise, and the cost-of-living crisis and welfare reform is exacerbating the problem.
This is where the Speakeasy steps in with expertise, dedication and compassion, seeking justice. Our amazing team provides independent legal advice at no charge, ever. We treat our clients with understanding, not judging them, but helping to give them hope and standing with them over the weeks or months it takes to sort out their legal problems.
The work of the Speakeasy may not be as flamboyant or photogenic as other charity work, but it is so vital and impactful for some of the most vulnerable people in Wales, so please consider supporting us to continue our work into the future!
Our client feedback helps tell some of our story and the lives we have impacted:
- “I’ve found the last 14 months rather desperate. Worse of all, pointless. Your support has been phenomenal.”
- “You are always very calm and serene. I know you have worked hard for me behind the scenes. You have been incredible. I am overwhelmed with this news. It couldn't have happened without your help. I feel privileged to have had the support. I want to thank you so so much. You have been wonderful.” (From 0 points to ESA Support Group on Mandatory Reconsideration).
- “Prior to your service I experienced acute anxiety and deep depression. After the initial interview an enormous burden had been lifted.”
- “I was overwhelmed with the successful letter received today from HMRC. I shed a tear. I’ve had sleepless nights for months.”
- “..your guidance and advice have truly helped me keep the courage and strength to continue through ten months of hell.”
- “It's lifted my spirits, all thanks to you. It's like someone’s on my side, things are going my way for once.”
