Some NAWRA members are involved in local groups and networks. Please keep us informed if details change or if you know of any other groups.
England –
- North West – Greater Manchester Welfare Rights Advisers Group (GMWRAG)
Our bi-monthly meetings are held at different venues across Greater Manchester and are open for all involved in giving advice on benefits, across the North West region. Just come along, no need to book a place. You are very welcome.
- North East – North East Reps Group
A quarterly meeting of social security tribunal reps looking at issues of common interest and practice. Contact Scott McInally at Durham County Council.
- Yorkshire & The Humber – Yorkshire & Humberside Welfare Rights Officers Group
The Welfare Benefits Unit hold a bi-annual Forum meeting for advisers in York and North Yorkshire. Meetings are open to advisers and support workers from any organisation. Contact the Welfare Benefits Unit for more information.
- South West – ACFA: The Advice Network
An umbrella organisation supporting advice agencies, community groups, housing associations etc across the four unitary authorities of Bristol, North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Monthly meetings in Bristol provide a space for collective action, meeting other members, and sharing the latest information. Member benefits include access to low cost, local training in social welfare law.
- West Midlands – West Midlands Welfare Rights Advisers Group (WMWRAG)
A group of welfare rights advisers (from both local authority and not-for-profit organisations) from across the West Midlands who meet periodically to exchange information and discuss topical issues affecting claimants and representatives. Contact Mark Perlic (City of Wolverhampton Council – Welfare Rights Service – Telephone: 07725 137973) to be put on the mailing list.
Scotland
–Rights Advice Scotland
Represents welfare rights officers in Scottish local authorities. Contact Richard Gass at Glasgow City Council.
-Edinburgh Advice Network
A bi-monthly meeting of advisers in Edinburgh. We bring together welfare rights and money/debt advisers advisers from the Council, housing associations, CAB and other voluntary sector services including those representing specific client groups, together with representatives from Social Security Scotland, DWP and NHS Lothian. We have practice-focused discussions, share information about upcoming and ongoing issues, update on service developments and have guest speakers from time to time. Contact Mark Upward at City of Edinburgh Council. All advisers and interested parties are welcome to attend.
Wales – Welfare Rights Advisers Cymru (WRAC)
Quarterly meetings bring together local authority and voluntary sector advisers from across Wales to hear speakers and join in update/ workshop sessions, to offer mutual support and information exchange and to campaign and lobby at the Wales level.
Most meetings are now held online. Membership is on an individual basis – a bargain for a tenner.
Please contact Gareth Morgan for details.