SIX years of providing legal advice, representation and holistic support to the community was celebrated by Ealing Law Centre on Friday.

Its patron, Prof Dame Hazel Genn, and more than 50 supporters, including MPs Rupa Huq, Ruth Cadbury and Virendra Sharma, joined partners and clients.

In those six years, Ealing Law Centre has handled more than 4,300 cases.

It has helped people to stay in their homes, obtained welfare benefits to which they are entitled and resolved complex immigration problems.

One client, Luly Perez, told the audience she had finally been able to sleep after her immigration status was resolved.

READ MORE: New Park Royal hotel topped out

READ MORE: Anger after three weeks of Met Line delays

But, after her husband died, she found herself back at the law centre asking for help when her landlord tried to evict her. This time, housing solicitor Vicky helped her.

“She treated me like a sister,” said Luly. “It was clear that, along with the legal advice, there is also empathy and compassion.”

Hazel Genn, professor of socio-legal studies at University College London, said: “As an Ealing resident of many years I was delighted to be asked to be a patron of the law centre. I look forward to playing a role in its future development.”

The centre currently responds to more than 1,200 inquiries per year from people with housing, welfare benefit, immigration and citizenship issues.