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London Legal Walk 2021

8th October 2021 by bootleweb

IPR will be taking part in the London Legal Walk once again on Monday 18th October 2021. This year we have an IPR team of 5, made up of staff, trustees, and supporters. The sponsored 10km walk in central London is organised by The London Legal Support Trust, who work to support access to justice in London and the South East.

All the money raised by the IPR team goes direct to Islington People’s Rights to help us continue our vital work helping Islington’s most vulnerable residents. We hope to raise more than £2000 for Islington People’s Rights. If you would like to donate, please visit the following link: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/IPRadvice21

IPR Justice

31st March 2021 by bootleweb

IPR is delivering the new IPR Justice project, from 1st April 2021. Based on over 50 years’ experience of delivering strong outcomes for those living in poverty, this new initiative is designed to influence policy and practice on welfare rights, as well as to provide additional capacity to represent clients at Welfare benefits tribunals. The focus of the project is those with disabilities, notably mental health related.

There are two key aspects to this project. Firstly, IPR Justice will provide legal representation at Welfare Benefits Tribunals, through additional casework capacity. The project aims to further build our capacity to undertake legal action to maximise incomes. Appeals are increasing in response to flawed assessments and IPR has a strong track record of success at tribunals.

Secondly, IPR Justice will gather evidence of the experiences of people accessing the welfare system, in order to influence government policy. Our initial focus will be the introduction of tribunals held by video link, partly in response to the pandemic, and the effect this has on access to justice for all disabled and vulnerable claimants. We will also focus on the needs and experiences of claimants with mental health issues, as they often face particular barriers to accessing their welfare rights. We plan to work with partners such as Disability Rights UK, Child Poverty Action Group and others to influence policy and address the failing assessment and appeals system. We are working with partners such as Disability Rights UK, Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) and others to influence policy and address the failing assessment and appeals system.

We are delighted that this project has been largely funded for the next three years by Trust for London, with whom we have worked previously, and look forward to further developing our partnership with them. If you are an organisation working in a similar field and would like to explore working collaboratively with us on this project, or if you are a funder interested in supporting this project, get in touch through

If you live in Islington and need help with challenging a welfare benefits decision, or to find out more about IPR Justice, ring the IPR Telephone Advice Line on 020 7561 3685 on a Monday, Tuesday or Friday between 2pm and 4pm.

IPR Enable

17th February 2021 by bootleweb

Islington People’s Rights (IPR) is delivering additional targeted specialist advice in welfare benefits to residents most affected by Covid-19, through the IPR Enable project. Islington residents have faced major challenges since March 2020, with many needing urgent support in relation to welfare benefits. IPR is providing additional targeted specialist advice in welfare benefits, particularly to those with mental health issues, and to those with other disabilities. The IPR Enable project focuses on supporting disabled residents, and those with underlying health conditions who have been at high risk in relation to Covid-19, and been shielding at certain points. Many live alone and, given their mental health issues, have struggled over recent months. Those with low literacy and IT skills need extra support to access benefits. IPR is meeting the increased demand for welfare benefits advice and casework support through additional casework capacity, plus technological enhancements. We are offering tailored welfare benefits advice, support and representation to additional vulnerable individuals in Islington. If you need help with welfare benefits issues, get help through the IPR Enable project. Contact the IPR Advice Line on 020 7561 3685 (Option 1) on a Monday, Tuesday or Friday between 2pm and 4pm.

This project was funded by the Trust for London, through the London Community Response Fund, and ran to 31st March 2021.

IPR Advice Plus

19th November 2020 by bootleweb

Islington People’s Rights (IPR) is working hard to meet the challenge of the Covid-19 crisis. IPR Advice Plus delivers additional targeted specialist advice around welfare benefits and debt matters to residents most affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Most of our services are currently delivered by phone and online with IPR Caseworkers working from home. IPR Advice Plus can assist disabled residents who need additional help at this time around welfare benefits and to address debt issues, particularly if they have underlying health conditions, and are at high risk in relation to Covid-19. We are also able to assist those with mental health issues, who may have struggled since lockdown, with benefits or debt issues. We can also help those with low literacy and IT skills who need extra support to access benefits, or to tackle their debt issues. If you need help with debt problems or welfare benefits advice, get help through the IPR Advice Plus project. Contact the IPR Advice Line on 020 7561 3685 on a Monday, Tuesday or Friday between 2 and 4pm.

This project was funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, and ran to 31st March 2021.

Islington Direct

19th November 2020 by bootleweb

Islington Direct is an IPR partnership project with Islington Law Centre (ILC), and delivery began in January 2020. A successful bid to the Partnership Programme of National Lottery Community Fund meant that IPR secured three years of new funding for this project. Complementing our Core Service, Islington Direct provides effective and holistic advice services addressing debt problems, maximising incomes from welfare benefits, supporting individuals around homelessness and housing, and tackling immigration issues. The Windrush Scandal highlighted some of the challenges certain UK residents face. Even residents who are able to get their status resolved can encounter real barriers and delays in getting the essential income they are entitled to.

Islington Direct provides the capacity to work with the most vulnerable residents in the borough, and address key challenges faced by those living in poverty by delivering tailored and specialist advice. It assists those with complex issues which cut across different areas of need and maximises the impact across the two organisations. To access the Islington Direct project, which provides debt, welfare benefits, housing and immigration advice and casework support, call the IPR Telephone Advice Line open Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays 2-4pm on 020 7561 3685.