Support Through Court — Manchester: what they do for self-representing families

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-27

Facing court alone is one of the hardest things anyone is asked to do. Support Through Court is an independent charity (formerly known as the Personal Support Unit) that provides free, practical and emotional support to people who have to face the civil and family courts without a lawyer. This page is about its Manchester service, which supports people attending the Manchester Civil and Family Justice Centre (1 Bridge Street West, Manchester M60 9DJ), verified against the charity's official website on 2026-08-27. It is general information, not legal advice — always confirm current opening times directly with the charity before travelling.

What this service is

Support Through Court is a registered charity that has been supporting people facing court alone for 25 years. Its trained volunteers provide support before, during and after court. The Manchester service — which runs in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University — helps people facing court without representation in Manchester, at all stages of the court process. Volunteers will:

Listen to your story without judgement.
Help you problem-solve and decide your next steps.
Help you source reliable legal information (they do not give legal advice themselves).
Explain complex court procedures in plain language.
Help you complete court forms.
Talk you through how to speak in court and what to expect on the day.

Important: the Manchester service operates by appointment only (Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 4.30pm, with first appointments from 10am and last slots at 3pm). Most support is delivered remotely or by appointment at the charity's office inside the Civil and Family Justice Centre rather than on a walk-in basis — walk-ins are only seen subject to availability, so contact the charity first.

Who it helps

Litigants in person — anyone facing the civil or family courts in the Manchester area without a lawyer.
People facing life-changing outcomes — the charity exists because cuts in legal aid mean more people than ever face court alone, on matters that can involve loss of access to children or homelessness.
You do not need to be an existing user to ask for help — but in Manchester support is appointment-based (booked online or by email), not on a drop-in basis.
If you are anywhere in England or Wales, the charity also runs a national remote/helpline service, so you can get support even if you cannot reach Manchester.

How to use it (steps)

1. Book an appointment through the charity's online booking page linked below, or email manchester@supportthroughcourt.org. 2. Know how the Manchester service currently operates (per the charity's official page): - Mondays and Fridays — face-to-face appointments offered as priority at the charity's office (Room 2.15, second floor) in the Manchester Civil and Family Justice Centre; remote support available dependent on demand and volunteer availability. - Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays — remote support only, via phone and Teams appointments. - Operating window: Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 4.30pm; first appointment slot from 10am, last slot 3pm. 3. Tell the charity where your hearing is. The Manchester service supports remote and in-person hearings when listed each day, dependent on volunteer availability — so ask explicitly for court-day support at the Manchester Civil and Family Justice Centre if your hearing is there. 4. When you call (0161 520 2214): the phone line does not accept calls from withheld numbers, so call with your caller ID switched on. 5. Bring your court papers — notices, forms and case details — to any appointment so the first conversation is productive. 6. Don't rely on walking in. The charity states that walk-in appointments are subject to availability and it cannot guarantee it can see you without an appointment.

Contact & location (verified)

These details are published by the charity on its official Manchester location page (verified 2026-08-27):

Office address: Support Through Court, Room 2.15 (second floor), Manchester Civil and Family Justice Centre, 1 Bridge Street West, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M60 9DJ
Email: manchester@supportthroughcourt.org
Phone: 0161 520 2214 (no withheld numbers)
Booking: online appointment booking via the charity's website
Operating hours: Monday to Friday 9.30am – 4.30pm, by appointment only (first slot 10am, last slot 3pm); face-to-face prioritised Mondays and Fridays, remote-only (phone/Teams) Tuesdays to Thursdays

Costs (honest)

The service is free. Support Through Court is a charity, funded by donations and funders — the charity states it costs its funders around £32 to support one person, but there is no charge to you for using the service.
Volunteers do not charge fees, and there is no means test to qualify.
Watch out for anyone charging for "support services" at court — this charity's help is free. If in doubt, verify through the official website linked below.
The charity cannot give legal advice, so if your case needs a solicitor, that cost sits outside this service. See our legal aid guide for help with funding representation.
Free help nearby: Citizens Advice Manchester offers free advice by phone (0808 278 7800) and through local offices — see our Citizens Advice Manchester page.

How it fits your court case

Before a hearing: use the service to understand what your hearing is for, what forms you still need, and how to present yourself. A single session can turn a confusing bundle of papers into a clear plan.
On the day: for hearings at the Manchester Civil and Family Justice Centre, arrange court-day support with the charity in advance — volunteer availability for in-person hearings depends on demand.
If you're on a tight schedule: because Tuesdays to Thursdays are remote-only in Manchester, a Monday or Friday face-to-face appointment at the court building may suit you best if your hearing is in person.
After a hearing: volunteers can help you work out what the outcome means and what your next step is — an order to comply with, an appeal deadline, or further forms to complete.
It complements, not replaces, legal help: the charity explains procedures and helps with forms, but cannot represent you or tell you what to argue. Pair it with our preparing for a hearing guide and, if appropriate, a McKenzie friend.
Emotional support counts: people consistently report that simply having someone listen and sit with them before going into court makes the day more manageable. That is a core part of what this service is for.

Official links

YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory — we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Support Through Court, HMCTS, or gov.uk. Service details above are sourced from the charity's official website (supportthroughcourt.org) and the official GOV.UK court listing for the Manchester Civil and Family Justice Centre, verified on 2026-08-27; opening hours and capacity arrangements can change, so always confirm directly with the charity before travelling. This page is general information and is not legal advice. Nothing on this page is an endorsement of any legal service, and Support Through Court does not endorse this site.

Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.