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Jeremy Corbyn highlights impact of welfare reforms at IPR 2016 AGM

23rd November 2016 by bootleweb

Jeremy Corbyn MP for Islington North, and Leader of the Opposition, addressed the Islington People’s Rights (IPR) Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday 15 November at Resource for London. He highlighted the very real impact of recent welfare reforms on some of the most vulnerable in society. The recent change to the Benefit Cap affects many households in Islington and throughout the country. Changes to Disability Benefits and the Bedroom Tax, have affected many more. Benefit sanctions can have a devastating impact on individuals and their families, as highlighted in the recent award winning film, “I, Daniel Blake”, directed by Ken Loach. Ros White, Advice and Rights Manager at the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), detailed the work they have undertaken to help children and their families in these difficult times, and the successes they have had challenging unfair welfare benefits decisions. Cllr Richard Watts, the Leader of Islington Council opened the meeting making clear the Council’s commitment to ensuring free advice services are available to residents of the Borough. Wesley Harcourt from Advice UK, the umbrella organisation, representing independent advice agencies through Britain, outlined their work, and also their role in helping establish the Black Advice Network (BAN). The formal business of the AGM demonstrated that IPR is in good shape to continue its important work, with a strong board of trustees elected, and funding from Islington Council secure to March 2020.

Earlier in the day, IPR had organised the BAMER Advice 2016 Conference, in conjunction with the Enhance Project at Resource for London. This event was aimed at voluntary and community sector organisations that provide advice to Black Asian Minority Ethnic and Refugee (BAMER) communities across London. Speakers highlighted the challenges faced by BAMER Communities in London, notably: Mulat Haregot, Director of the Evelyn Oldfield Unit; Kunle Olulode, the Director of Voice4Change England; and Ruth Hayes, the Vice-Chair, Law Centres Network. John Muir, Voluntary & Community Sector and Equalities Development Manager at Islington Council, outlined their new model of advice delivery in the Borough. Workshops looked at key issues for the BAMER advice sector; notably welfare benefits, debt, employment and discrimination, housing, and immigration matters, and were organised with support from Islington Advice Alliance partners. IPR has recently secured a further 2 years of funding from Trust for London to continue its Access+ project, delivering advice and other support to key BAMER organisations based in Islington.

IPR Annual Review 2016

19th November 2016 by bootleweb

AnnualReviewcoverpic2015 Download a copy of our IPR Annual Review 2016 (PDF)

Chair’s Report

IPR has built on its strengths over the last year. We have supported more people, achieved improved outcomes and consolidated our funding. These achievements have come about through the commitment of a great team of staff and my fellow trustees. Over the year we assisted over 2,500 clients; around 70% identified as being disabled, many with mental health issues.

The last 12 months have marked a period of consolidation for IPR, and we now have our grant funding from Islington Council confirmed until March 2020, which enables us to plan for the future. We have secured 2 year continuation funding from Trust for London to October 2018 for the Access + project, working with BAMER community communities. We have also been able to secure funding from a number of other charitable trusts for both our Disability Focus project, and work with carers. Funding from the Big Lottery Local Sustainability Fund has enabled us to devote additional resources towards ensuring our sustainability. At the same time we have continued to provide a high quality service across a number of community venues with good outcomes and a high level of client satisfaction. Clearly our aims for the forthcoming year are to maintain and improve the quality of our activities.

Demand for our services continues to grow, related to both ongoing welfare reforms and the current economic climate. Many of our beneficiaries have been adversely affected by recent changes in the welfare system. The new Benefit Cap means several hundred Islington residents are facing difficulties. Universal Credit is being introduced, replacing many benefits for those of working age, and presenting challenges.

Having become a trustee of IPR in 2011 and the Chair for the last two years, I am now standing down as Chair. The role has been hugely fulfilling, and it has been great to see the organisation develop from strength to strength, despite the challenging funding environment. This has been due to our dedicated staff, trustees, volunteers, funders and supporters, and I feel confident for IPR’s future and feel that we can look positively to 2017 and beyond.

Tim Aldridge

Islington People’s Rights AGM 2016

22nd October 2016 by bootleweb

Tuesday 15 November 6.30pm at Resource for London, 356 Holloway Road, London N7 6PA

The AGM of Islington People’s Rights is always an interesting and informative event, and more of public meeting.

This year, speakers include: Ros White, Advice and Rights Manager, Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) and Cllr Richard Watts, Leader of Islington Council. Others invited, confirmations awaited.

After the speakers and formal parts of the meeting there will be refreshments and a chance to mingle with committee members, staff, partners and clients. Please contact us if you have any special dietary requirements.

This event is taking place during an unprecedented period of welfare reforms. Islington People’s Rights is striving to ensure that vulnerable residents are able to access the specialist welfare benefits and debt advice that they need.

Please register by 12 noon on the 11th November 2016 through https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/islington-peoples-rights-2016-agm-tickets-28689524139

BAMER Advice 2016 Conference

22nd October 2016 by bootleweb

Tuesday 15 November 2pm-5.30pm at Resource for London, 356 Holloway Road, London N7 6PA

A free event for London’s BAMER community and voluntary sector organisations that provide advice or signpost clients for advice. Keynote Speakers include: Mulat Haregot, Director, Evelyn Oldfield Unit; Kunle Olulode, Director, Voice4Change England and Ruth Hayes, Vice-Chair of the Law Centres Network, looking at the key challenges faced by the BAMER Sector in terms of providing advice and support. John Muir, Voluntary & Community Sector and Equalities Development Manager, at Islington Council, will be outlining the new Advice Model for Islington. Workshops will examine the key issues and developments for the advice sector covering: welfare benefits, debt, employment and discrimination, housing, immigration and family law, and more. The Conference will be chaired by Andy Gregg, Chief Executive, Race on the Agenda (ROTA). This event is being organised by Islington People’s Rights, in conjunction with the Enhance Project (funded by City Bridge Trust) at Resource for London, with the support of Islington Advice Alliance.

Please register by 12 noon on the 11th November 2016 through https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bamer-advice-2016-conference-tickets-28759692013

IPR Annual Review 2015

27th November 2015 by bootleweb

AnnualReviewcoverpic2015 Download a copy of our IPR Annual Review 2015 (PDF)

Chair’s Report

IPR has built on its strengths over the last year. We have supported more people, achieved improved outcomes and diversified our funding. These achievements did not come about by accident but through the commitment of a great team of staff and my fellow trustees.

Over the year we assisted well over 2,500 clients. Around 70% identified as being disabled, many with mental health issues.

The last 12 months have marked a period of consolidation for IPR. We have responded to funding reductions by developing new funding streams for our advice work, essential with further reductions possible. At the same time we have continued to provide a high quality service across a number of community venues with good outcomes and a high level of client satisfaction.

Our aims for the forthcoming year are to maintain and improve the quality of our activities. Thanks to a major grant from the Trust for London we have commenced delivery of advice services and capacity building to Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee organisations in the borough. This will enable IPR to support these groups and their clients more effectively.

I must of course thank all our funders without whom we would be unable to deliver the vital services that we provide; most evidently Islington Council. In addition, I would like to acknowledge the support of Nabarro LLP who have provided continued pro bono help to our clients as well as supporting IPR in other ways.

The demand for our services continues to grow, particularly in the current economic climate. Many of our beneficiaries have been affected by recent changes in the welfare system, notably in relation to disability benefits. Universal Credit is now being introduced, which will replace many benefits for those of working age. The excellent staff, trustees, volunteers and supporters of our work means that we look forward positively to 2016 and beyond.

Tim Aldridge