Since 2017 we have been running a Pilot project assisting parents with children with special needs and learning disabilities to access Disability Living Allowance (DLA). The project set out to initially assist around 50 parents a year assisting with claims, reconsiderations and appeals. There was initial assistance from the Legal Education Fund via one of their Legal Education Fellows and since summer 2018 the project has been run by a small number of dedicated volunteers. The project so far has enabled every parent it has assisted to obtain or increase their entitlement to DLA for their child.
The project, having established its training systems and delivery model, is now poised to expand to recruiting and training a larger number of volunteers to enable it to step up the amount of assistance that it can provide.
Sadly, there has been a setback in so much as T.A. Law Solicitors, which has been mentoring our Charity since 2012, is due to close its doors for good at the end of May 2019. T.A. Law allowed us space in its offices and full use of equipment, including telephony, I.T. services and other resources including expert Legal Advice and supervision for volunteers. T.A. Law’s help has been invaluable to Kin Cymru, but from June 2019 Kin Cymru must stand on its own two feet.
We have a potential to rent an office and to obtain equipment to continue but urgently requires funds to meet the running costs of a small office and volunteer expenses. If sufficient funding is not secured there is a very real risk that we will cease operating, depriving the community of a much-needed important service.
Our Team is made up of all unpaid volunteers – there are no salaries or wages paid whatsoever; all monies go towards providing vital services.
We are are attempting to secure funding via grants, however donations are always gratefully accepted and will assist us to continue our vital work. (If anyone can recommend or suggest sources of funding we would be most grateful)
To make a donation to enable us to continue our vital work please donate via gofundme.