The IPR Annual Review can be downloaded here.

Chair’s Report

IPR operates on the frontline of the battle against poverty. The year has once again been dominated by the Covid pandemic and its fallout – its severe impact on disabled people, those in low paid work and people of colour. Our staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to make sure thousands of residents have received the essential support needed to avoid unmanageable debts and destitution. This is more important than ever as the Cost Of Living Crisis begins to impact majorly on our client group. 

Over the 12 months our team returned to face to face appointments where possible although much of the work continues to be remote from people’s homes. It remains to be seen if this is a lasting trend. We know that some people prefer to be able to talk directly to their adviser in the same way that some staff prefer to work in an office and so having both options is important. 

Achievements to highlight over the year include securing a three year grant from the Trust for London for IPR Justice. This has not only boosted our support for people’s appeals where they have been refused disability benefits, it has enabled us to have a positive impact on policy and practice around tribunals. 

IPR increased capacity to meet the extra demand related to the pandemic and we extended our initiative assisting those with water and other debts. Funding was also secured from health commissioners to deliver a new service for people leaving hospital and others experiencing acute mental ill health. We also linked with the Manor Gardens Centre, where we are based, supporting their clients, including those linked to their emerging social prescribing service.

I must pay tribute to our amazing team of staff, volunteers and Trustees for all of their efforts over the year. They have once again shown a tremendous commitment to keep making a positive impact for people in the greatest need.

I hope that this Annual Review will give you an insight into our work during 2021-2022. It is also a chance for IPR to acknowledge and thank our supporters including the London Borough of Islington and grant making trusts without whom none of this would happen.

David Moore

The IPR Annual Review can be downloaded here.

Chair’s Report

As with charities throughout the country the year has been dominated by the pandemic. Before Covid and the first lockdown in March 2020 appointments were offered at our base in Holloway and another centre in south Islington but these had to quickly move to being by phone and online. Thanks to the exceptional work of the staff this huge change was achieved without any interruption to our services. IPR was successful in securing emergency grants from the London Community Response Fund to pay for IT, phones, training and software to quickly make the transition needed.

IPR has supported many residents to access emergency support. It is well recognised that the pandemic has disproportionately affected certain groups of residents including people with mental health issues, physical disabilities, carers and those from BAMER communities. There are now 26,500 households in receipt of Council Tax Support in Islington, indicative of the hardship caused by Covid and other factors. 246 additional households including 329 more children have also now been affected by the benefit cap as a result – an increase of 96%.

Another big development in the year has been the launch of the IPR Justice project. Full details of this exciting initiative are in this Review. The inspiration for IPR Justice is to use our extensive experience working in Islington to have a wider impact on policy and practice throughout the UK. This is an exciting ambition and one that we hope will translate into real benefits for many disabled people in the years ahead.

This Annual Review is a chance to acknowledge and thank all of those who have supported our work during 2020-2021. The London Borough of Islington has continued its commitment to our activities. IPR is also supported by a number of key grant making trusts who resource projects that are designed to help some of the most disadvantaged communities in the borough. Then there are the people who have raised money through special events such as the London Legal Walk – thank you all.

IPR has a fantastic team of staff, volunteers and Trustees who have worked tirelessly through one of the most challenging years in our 51-year history. As you will read in the following pages we are looking forward with renewed commitment and ambition to tackle poverty in Islington and beyond.

David Moore