The Plymouth Welfare Rights Forum is a non-incorporated independent platform that brings together the third sector and statutory sector agencies dealing with welfare rights in Plymouth.  The Forum is the environment in which to share information and to work together to resolve difficulties in the often complex area of welfare rights.

The Forum was originally set up and hosted by the Plymouth Citizens Advice Bureau.  For a while the Forum was transferred to the Plymouth Welfare Rights Support Unit (PWRSU) but when funding for this service ended in 2003, the Plymouth Welfare Officer for Unison Welfare stepped in to help co-ordinate and facilitate the Forum.

In March 2005, the Forum constitution was written and this was formally agreed in May 2005.  With the Forum a properly constituted body, this opened the door to applying for funding and during 2005, the Forum received £15,000 in SRB (Single Regeneration Budget) funding.  See our Resources page for further information regarding the use of this funding.

In September 2006 the Forum organised the first welfare conference in Plymouth.  Conference 2006 focused on such areas as benefit and tax credit take-up and the proposed changes for Incapacity Benefit.  This was followed up by Conference 2008 which again focused on changes in the welfare benefit system.  Both conferences proved to be an excellent success and the Forum now plans to hold a conference every two years in partnership with other agencies.

As of October 2007, the Forum has been run and facilitated by a small team of volunteers with direct assistance from Plymouth Citizens Advice Bureau.  The Forum also receives the support of Plymouth City Council.

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